UFC Fight Night: Blanchfield vs. Barber - Jordan "The Monkey King" Leavitt Battles Kurt Holobaugh in Lightweight Bout

As we continue to break down the preliminary card of UFC Fight Night: Blanchfield vs. Barber on May 31, 2025, at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada, an intriguing lightweight clash awaits between the unorthodox submission specialist Jordan "The Monkey King" Leavitt and veteran Kurt Holobaugh. Both fighters are looking for a crucial win to gain traction in the competitive lightweight division.

Fighter Backgrounds

Kurt Holobaugh

Kurt Holobaugh (22-9-0), representing Gracie United in the USA, is a seasoned lightweight veteran with a well-rounded skillset. He boasts eight (T)KO wins and ten submission victories, highlighting his versatility. Holobaugh, a winner of The Ultimate Fighter 31, is known for his toughness and experience.

Jordan Leavitt

Jordan "The Monkey King" Leavitt (11-3-0), fighting out of Syndicate MMA in the USA, is a unique lightweight known for his unorthodox approach and dangerous submission grappling. With six submission wins, "The Monkey King" is always a threat on the ground and uses his distinctive style to confuse opponents.

Fighting Styles and Strengths

Kurt Holobaugh

• Well-Rounded Finisher: Holobaugh has a balanced record of knockouts and submissions.
• Veteran Experience: His long career and numerous fights give him valuable octagon experience.
• Toughness: Known for his durability and ability to endure tough fights.

Jordan Leavitt

• Submission Specialist: Leavitt's primary strength is his opportunistic and slick submission game.
• Unorthodox Style: His unusual movements and striking can make him difficult to read.
• Ground Control: Capable of maintaining control and hunting for submissions once the fight hits the mat.

Recent Performances

Kurt Holobaugh

Kurt Holobaugh is currently on a two-fight losing skid, both by unanimous decision. His most recent bout was a loss to Alexander Hernandez in March 2025, preceded by a loss to Trey Ogden in March 2024. Before these losses, he secured a unanimous decision win over Kaynan Kruschewsky in July 2024 and won TUF 31 with a submission win over Austin Hubbard in August 2023.

Jordan Leavitt

Jordan Leavitt's last fight was a first-round submission loss to Chase Hooper in November 2023. Prior to that, he secured a second-round TKO victory over Victor Martinez in February 2023 and a split decision win over Trey Ogden in April 2022. He also suffered a submission loss to Paddy Pimblett in July 2022.

Odds and Betting Information

Fighter	Odds
Kurt Holobaugh	+155
Jordan Leavitt	-185

Jordan Leavitt is the favorite in this lightweight bout with odds of -185, while Kurt Holobaugh is the underdog at +155.

Keys to Victory

Kurt Holobaugh

• Keep the Fight Standing: Holobaugh needs to utilize his striking and defend takedowns to avoid Leavitt's dangerous ground game.
• Target the Body and Legs: Wear down Leavitt with consistent striking to limit his mobility and grappling attempts.
• Avoid Submissions: If the fight goes to the ground, Holobaugh must be acutely aware of Leavitt's tricky submission attempts.

Jordan Leavitt

• Initiate Grappling Exchanges: Leavitt's clearest path to victory is to get Holobaugh to the mat and hunt for submissions.
• Utilize Unorthodoxy: His unique movements can disrupt Holobaugh's rhythm and create openings.
• Maintain Positional Control: Once on the ground, securing advantageous positions is key to setting up his submissions.

 

Prediction