Khamzat Chimaev vs. Kevin Holland UFC Betting: Will Chimaev win in reshuffled bout after weight miss?

On Thursday, UFC fighters Khamzat Chimaev and Kevin Holland were involved in a backstage altercation that caused the cancellation of the UFC 279 press conference.

On Friday, thanks to Chimaev’s weight miss ahead of his scheduled main event fight with the departing Nate Diaz, it was announced tha the two feuding fighters would duke it out in the penultimate bout tonight at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

We have already broken down the other two matchups that came about as a result of a hasty reshuffle. A Li Jingliang vs. Daniel Rodriguez bout will precede Chimaev vs. Holland, while the night will end with Nate Diaz vs. Tony Ferguson.

Here, we take a look at Chimaev vs. Holland and offer up our thoughts who will come out on top and which bet(s) you should make for what is sure to be a highly charged encounter.

Footage of the altercations that ensued behind the scenes before the #UFC279 press conference 🚨 (via @UFC) pic.twitter.com/kTNF1XiyMK

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) September 10, 2022

Khamzat Chimaev vs. Kevin Holland Fight Information and Betting Odds

Fight Information

• Date: Saturday, September 11, 2022
• Venue & Location: T-Mobile Arena (Las Vegas, Nevada)
• Start Time: approximately 11:45 p.m. Eastern Time (8:45 p.m. local time)

Khamzat Chimaev vs. Kevin Holland Betting Odds

Odds are from Bovada Sportsbook.

Moneyline

• Khamzat Chimaev -650
• Kevin Holland +475

Total Rounds Over/Under

• Over 1.5 rounds (-165)
• Under 1.5 rounds (+127)

Will the Fight Go the Distance?

• Yes +240
• No -320

How will Chimaev respond to his weight miss?

Despite the weight miss resulting in him being bumped out of the main event, Chimaev is not kicking himself, at least openly.

@darrentill2 It’s his fault 😂 pic.twitter.com/chmZTZ7ctc

— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) September 9, 2022

Chimaev was a much heavier favourite against Diaz than he is against Holland, so he has essentially landed in a tougher matchup than he would have had.

That said, Chimaev is still a heavy favourite against his new opponent, and as per the odds, he is expected to finish off the 29-year-old American early, as he has four of his five UFC opponents.

The lone exception there came in his most recent fight, when he defeated Gilbert Burns by unanimous decision at UFC 273 in Jacksonville, Florida six months ago.

Trailblazer seeks consistency

Kevin Holland will arrive in Las Vegas knowing his future as a respected fighter is hanging in the balance, and he must win on Saturday to help steady the ship.

There is no denying Holland is a talented fighter with lots to offer at this level, but his recent form lacks consistency. Another loss could send him skidding down the rankings and out of the main picture.

Holland enters the fight having won his last two bouts, but he knows the importance of completing the hattrick if he is to return to where he wants to be in the UFC.

Two points decision losses against Derek Brunson and Marvin Vettori were followed by an infuriating no contest against Kyle Daukaus following an accidental clash of heads.

Kevin then made a timely return to winning ways at UFC 272 in March, defeating Alex Oliveira in round two by TKO. In his most recent bout, he finished Tim Means in round two by submission at UFC on ESPN: Kattar vs. Emmett in June.

Holland picked up a performance of the night bonus in each of those two bouts, but he will need to go beyond those efforts if he is to have a chance to defeat Chimaev.

However, even though he may have some extra fire in his belly after Thursday’s altercation with Chimaev, don’t expect it to result in an upset win for the clear underdog.

Three of Chimaev’s four early finishes in the UFC have come in the first round, making the under on the total rounds stand out as a high-value bet.

Khamzat Chimaev vs. Kevin Holland Prediction: Chimaev to win

Khamzat Chimaev vs. Kevin Holland Betting Pick: Under 1.5 total rounds @ +127 (Bovada Sportsbook)