UFC boss Dana White said one of his fighters suffered 'a mental breakdown' in the middle of a bout

Alan DawsonMar 21, 2021, 22:24 IST

Kevin Holland and Derek Brunson.Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Kevin Holland struggled in a five-round UFC main event Saturday.
The UFC boss said Holland had 'a mental breakdown,' but Derek Brunson - who won - disagreed.
See highlights from the other fights right here.

The world-leading MMA firm UFC continued its behind-closed-doors, coronavirus-era, residency at the Apex, a facility it owns in Las Vegas, on Saturday.

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Derek Brunson fought Kevin Holland in a middleweight match that topped the event, and scored a unanimous decision win over the flashy fighter.

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

The UFC boss Dana White told reporters he thought Holland had "a mental breakdown" during the loss to Brunson, as he showboated throughout the bout. He even asked Nurmagomedov, who was Octagonside, for advice.

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

The UFC boss Dana White told reporters he thought Holland had "a mental breakdown" during the loss to Brunson, as he showboated throughout the bout. He even asked Nurmagomedov, who was Octagonside, for advice.

"I don't know what he was doing," White said. "I think he might not have been able to handle the pressure and just broke mentally. I haven't seen anything like that."

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Brunson did not agree with White's assessment and said Holland just couldn't handle the wrestling techniques that he was bringing to the fight.

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

One of the best bouts on the night was a heavyweight clash between Tai Tuivasa and Harry Hunsucker.

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

A renowned slugger, Tuivasa is a fan favorite in the UFC and, against Hunsucker, added another knockout to his highlight-reel.

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

A sequence featuring leg kicks, an overhand right, and a follow-up blow was enough to put Hunsucker down and out in 49 seconds as Tuivasa was determined to score an early finish.

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

A sequence featuring leg kicks, an overhand right, and a follow-up blow was enough to put Hunsucker down and out in 49 seconds as Tuivasa was determined to score an early finish.

Though Tuivasa and Brunson won their fights, they did not win $50,000 cash bonuses, which tend to be reserved for thumping finishes or all-action fights.

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Bruno Silva was one of the four fighters who received a bonus. The Brazilian competed in the first fight on the night, and knocked out JP Buys.

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Silva had previously suffered back-to-back losses and so the thunderous finish may well have saved his UFC career.

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

American lightweight Grant Dawson was the next athlete to score a bonus as he won by knockout with one second remaining on the clock.

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Though he celebrated raucously, Dawson eventually appeared to be in a state of disbelief when it dawned on him how close the fight was heading toward the scorecards.

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Silva and Dawson weren't the only ones to impress UFC management as the bantamweight Adrian Yanez also scooped a $50,000 check for his finish.

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Though Yanez landed a flying knee in the bout, it was actually a counter right that he landed so powerfully it made his opponent Gustavo Lopez face-plant the deck.

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Max Griffin was the final fighter to earn a bonus at the latest UFC show Saturday, as the American welterweight won by knockout in the first round.

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Griffin's knockout was particularly nasty as he pumped a solid right hand into Song Kenan's face, before following-up with further shots to close the show.

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Dana White's next UFC event is Saturday, March 27. UFC 260, a big pay-per-view event, features heavyweight studs Stipe Miocic and Francis Ngannou in a rematch.

Photo by Brandon Magnus/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

India has lost only two of the last 19 T20 international bilateral series⁠ - here’s a look at the last 10

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

UFC boss Dana White said one of his fighters suffered 'a mental breakdown' in the middle of a bout

The world-leading MMA firm UFC continued its behind-closed-doors, coronavirus-era, residency at the Apex, a facility it owns in Las Vegas, on Saturday.

Derek Brunson fought Kevin Holland in a middleweight match that topped the event, and scored a unanimous decision win over the flashy fighter.

The UFC boss Dana White told reporters he thought Holland had "a mental breakdown" during the loss to Brunson, as he showboated throughout the bout. He even asked Nurmagomedov, who was Octagonside, for advice.

"I don't know what he was doing," White said. "I think he might not have been able to handle the pressure and just broke mentally. I haven't seen anything like that."

Brunson did not agree with White's assessment and said Holland just couldn't handle the wrestling techniques that he was bringing to the fight.

One of the best bouts on the night was a heavyweight clash between Tai Tuivasa and Harry Hunsucker.

A renowned slugger, Tuivasa is a fan favorite in the UFC and, against Hunsucker, added another knockout to his highlight-reel.

A sequence featuring leg kicks, an overhand right, and a follow-up blow was enough to put Hunsucker down and out in 49 seconds as Tuivasa was determined to score an early finish.

Though Tuivasa and Brunson won their fights, they did not win $50,000 cash bonuses, which tend to be reserved for thumping finishes or all-action fights.

Bruno Silva was one of the four fighters who received a bonus. The Brazilian competed in the first fight on the night, and knocked out JP Buys.

Silva had previously suffered back-to-back losses and so the thunderous finish may well have saved his UFC career.

American lightweight Grant Dawson was the next athlete to score a bonus as he won by knockout with one second remaining on the clock.

Though he celebrated raucously, Dawson eventually appeared to be in a state of disbelief when it dawned on him how close the fight was heading toward the scorecards.

Silva and Dawson weren't the only ones to impress UFC management as the bantamweight Adrian Yanez also scooped a $50,000 check for his finish.

Though Yanez landed a flying knee in the bout, it was actually a counter right that he landed so powerfully it made his opponent Gustavo Lopez face-plant the deck.

Max Griffin was the final fighter to earn a bonus at the latest UFC show Saturday, as the American welterweight won by knockout in the first round.

Griffin's knockout was particularly nasty as he pumped a solid right hand into Song Kenan's face, before following-up with further shots to close the show.

Dana White's next UFC event is Saturday, March 27. UFC 260, a big pay-per-view event, features heavyweight studs Stipe Miocic and Francis Ngannou in a rematch.