Kevin Holland Names The 'Wrongs' He Aims To 'Right' Against Michael Chiesa At UFC 291

For its ninth pay-per-view offering of 2023, the UFC looks set to put on a show for those in attendance at Salt Lake City's Delta Center this weekend.

After a blockbuster International Fight Week event in Las Vegas, the mixed martial arts leader has put together a lineup that, on paper, looks to boast the potential to match or even exceed the July 8 T-Mobile Arena-held show.

And tasked with opening proceedings on PPV is a man who knows a thing or two about entertainment.

From his mid-fight chatter to a lengthy highlight reel of memorable finishes, Kevin "Trailblazer" Holland has cemented himself as a fan favorite and a name to always watch out for.

Recently, he's been plying his trade at welterweight, where he''s shared the cage with Khamzat Chimaev, headlined opposite Stephen Thompson, and knocked out Santiago Ponzinibbio.

The move down came after a winless run at 185 pounds, during which Derek Brunson and Marvin Vettori were able to expose some deficiencies in Holland's ground game.

Holland: Showing Grappling Improvement 'Means The World'

With many pointing towards that weakness as the factor that may prevent "Big Mouth" from making a genuine run towards a championship, Holland is looking to demonstrate significant evolution in that area.

Fortunately for him, he has the chance to do that this weekend against renowned grappler Michael Chiesa.

And during a fight week interview with ESPN MMA's Brett Okamoto, Holland outlined his desire to "right some wrongs" at the expense of the #12-ranked contender.

"I have a full-time wrestling coach now, and I really don't see us hitting the ground," Holland said. "That's the number one job this weekend; to go out there and show them that I can do better against grapplers than I've been showing. Really, that's what I'm looking forward to. I think that's why I'm so excited.

"I get to go out there, right some wrongs, and then see what's up, see what's next," Holland continued. "Maybe another grappler or maybe a fun fight with a striker. Who knows? But I definitely know that going out there against Chiesa and showing them that I can actually grapple means the world right now."

Should Holland achieve that feat come fight night in Utah this weekend, he'll break into the top 15 at 170 pounds for the very first time.

Perhaps he'll also do so with an altered perception of his grappling abilities.