Born in Riverside, California and raised in Rancho Cucamonga and Ontario, Holland started martial arts training when he was 16 years old and was a fan of Georges St-Pierre. He fell in love with UFC after watching UFC 100 the first time when he was in town visiting his father in Philadelphia.
After compiling an amateur record of 5–0, Holland started his professional MMA in 2015. He fought under various promotions such as Xtreme Knockout, Legacy Fighting Championship, King of the Cage, Bellator MMA, Legacy Fighting Alliance and amassed a record of 12-3 prior signed by UFC.
Holland appeared in DWTNCS: Season 1, Episode 2 web-series program. He faced Will Santiago and won the fight via unanimous decision on June 12, 2018. Even with the win, Holland was not offered a contract on show but he was brought in to face Thiago Santos at UFC 227.
Holland made his UFC debut on August 4, 2018 against Thiago Santos at UFC 227 He lost the fight via unanimous decision. His next fight came on June 1, 2018 at against John Phillips. He won the fight via a submission due to a rear-naked choke in round three. Holland faced Gerald Meerschaert on March 30, 2019 at UFC on ESPN 2. He won the fight via split decision. Holland faced Alessio Di Chirico on June 22, 2019 at UFC Fight Night 154. He won the fight via unanimous decision. Holland was expected to face promotional newcomer Antonio Arroyo on November 16, 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 22. However, in late September, promotion officials elected to remove Holland from the bout in favor of a matchup against Brendan Allen on October 18, 2019 at UFC on ESPN 6. He lost the fight via a submission in round two. Holland was expected to face Jack Marshman on March 21, 2020 at. However, on April 9, Dana White, the president of UFC announced that this event was postponed. Instead, Holland faced Anthony Hernandez on May 16, 2020 at. He won the bout via a first round technical knockout. Holland was scheduled to face Daniel Rodriguez on May 30, 2020 at. However, On May 26, Holland was forced to withdraw from his scheduled bout with Daniel Rodriguez due to an injury and he was replaced by promotional newcomer Gabriel Green Holland was expected to face Trevin Giles on August 1, 2020 at. During Giles' walkout, Trevin Giles fainted and his fight with Kevin Holland was cancelled.
