Report: Kevin Holland Tests Positive For COVID-19, Out Of UFC Vegas 16 Headliner With Jack Hermansson

Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher - USA TODAY Sports

For the second week running, the UFC has lost it's scheduled main event. Slated to take curtain-closing honours in another reworked pairing, streaking middleweight upstart, Kevin 'The Trailblazer' Holland has reportedly tested positive for COVID-19, ruling him from a main event with Jack 'The Joker' Hermansson at the UFC Apex facility in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Replacing the injured former welterweight title challenger, Darren 'The Gorilla' Till, Holland was attempting to make promotional history as the first middleweight to score five victories in a calendar year. News of Holland's removal due to a positive COVID-19 test return was first reported by ESPN MMA reporter, Ariel Helwani. 

Riding a four-fight rise, the 28-year-old Californian featured opposite Anthony Hernandez at UFC Fight Night Jacksonville in May, before grabbing wins over viral knockout star, Joaquin Buckley, a split decision win over Darren Stewart, before a slam to submission victory over Charlie Ontiveros. 

Hermansson, 32, himself returned to the win-column in the co-main event of UFC Fight Island 2 in July, scoring an eye-catching, quickfire heel-hook win over one-time interim title challenger, Kelvin Gastelum. The victory marked the former Cage Warriors gold holder's return to winning ways following a second-round knockout defeat to Jared Cannonier in the main event of UFC Fight Night Copenhagen in September of last year.

In the above-noted report, Helwani details how the promotion is currently targeting a reworked main event featuring Hermansson, and another streaking 185-pound contender, Marvin Vettori, who is currently scheduled to meet with former Strikeforce titleholder, Jacare Souza at UFC 256 on December 12th, however, contracts for that potential pairing have yet to be sent to either party.