Less than 14 days before UFC Fight Night at the Paycom Center, one of the card’s most recognizable names has been removed. Kevin Holland has withdrawn from his scheduled welterweight bout against Jacobe Smith on July 18 due to an undisclosed injury, according to people familiar with the situation who spoke to MMA Junkie.
What changed on the card
The promotion has not yet issued a formal announcement. Holland’s exit leaves Smith, the undefeated former Oklahoma State wrestler-turned-pro prospect, without an opponent as officials work to find a replacement.
Holland, who has been a steady presence in the UFC since his 2018 debut, entered this year with a busy competition schedule. Most recently he defeated Randy Brown in April. The setback removes a high-profile draw from a card headlined by title-level talent in Oklahoma City.
Local stakes and fight night implications
The Paycom Center event is one of the UFC’s few stops in Oklahoma in recent years. Changes to the lineup can affect ticket sales, local promotions and fans who purchased seats to see specific fighters. For Jacobe Smith, a former standout at Oklahoma State University who has won each of his three UFC fights by finish, the sudden need for a new opponent presents both logistical and competitive questions.
- Date: July 18
- Venue: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City
- Withdrawn fighter: Kevin Holland (29-15 MMA, 16-12 UFC)
- Fighter needing an opponent: Jacobe Smith (12-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC)
Smith trained with Fortis MMA and worked with coaches such as Sayif Saud; his development was bolstered by connections with fellow OSU alum Daniel Cormier. Fighting in front of a home-state crowd would be a notable moment for him, making a replacement opponent an important booking for the UFC matchmakers.
Card snapshot
Despite Holland’s withdrawal, the Oklahoma City event still lists a number of high-profile fights. Below is the updated lineup as reported by MMA Junkie:
| Fight | Status |
|---|---|
| Dricus Du Plessis vs. Kamaru Usman | On card |
| Jared Cannonier vs. Christian Leroy Duncan | On card |
| Jacobe Smith vs. TBA | Opponent sought |
| Chase Hooper vs. Mitch Ramirez | On card |
| Fatima Kline vs. Tabatha Ricci | On card |
Other scheduled bouts include matchups across multiple weight classes, ensuring fans will still see a full slate even if one pairing changes. For Oklahoma viewers and ticket holders, the UFC typically announces replacement fighters quickly, especially for televised cards.
Promoters and local venues often scramble in the days after late withdrawals to confirm backups and update event promotions. Fans planning to attend should watch for official updates from the UFC and the Paycom Center, and follow refund or lineup-change policies from the ticket provider.
This development continues a pattern of late adjustments that have affected fight cards nationwide. For Oklahoma City, the story highlights how major sporting events rely on a steady roster of athletes and how an injury to a single competitor can ripple across a local event’s marketing and fan expectations.
