Fight blog recap: Max Holloway wins after Charles Oliveira suffers bizarre injury
Max Holloway won his seventh fight in a row on Sunday night after Charles Oliveira fell to the mat in pain with an injury to his neck or shoulder that called a stop to the fight just over a minute into the first round.
The fight was supposed to crown a new contender at 145 pounds, but instead left the waters almost as murky as ever for both men because while Holloway got the win, he only got it by default after Oliveira suffered an injury.
It all happened after Oliveira shot in for a takedown and Holloway reversed to get the fight on the ground. Holloway stood back up to keep the fight on the feet, but as soon as Oliveira got off the mat, he grabbed his neck and shoulder and quickly crumbled back to the ground.
Referee Herb Dean stopped the fight at 1:39 into the first round with Holloway declared the winner by TKO.
In the co-main event, Neil Magny got back on track with a fairly one-sided victory over Erick Silva although he only leaves Canada with a split decision win. Mangy controlled the pace of this fight from start to finish, using superior striking and control to keep Silva from ever mounting any real offense.
Magny has now won eight of his last nine fights while making a push into the welterweight top 15.
Full results and play-by-play for UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs Oliveira below:
MAIN EVENT: Max Holloway vs. Charles Oliveira
Round 1:
Oliveira ripping punches to the body, high volume, early. Holloway controls the pace as the fighters fall to the ground with Oliveira looking for the takedown before pulling guard. Holloway stands up out of the guard and separates back to the center of the cage. Oliveira grabs his shoulder and just wilts back to the mat, and the referee stops the fight. It looks like Oliveira might have a broken collarbone but the fight is over. Strange ending.
Official result: Max Holloway def. Charles Oliveira by TKO (injury) at 1:39, R1
Analysis:
Very unfortunate ending to what should have been a spectacular main event. It appeared that Oliveira shot in for a takedown and either got an injured collarbone or maybe suffered some kind of stinger on his neck because as soon as he stood up from the ground, he was in a serious amount of pain. Holloway gets the win, but it's not the way he wanted to come out victorious in this fight. Holloway has seven straight wins in the division, but this one probably feels a little hollow. Hopefully, Oliveira isn't seriously hurt and they can rebook this fight in the near future. If not, Holloway should try to get another fight as soon as possible so he can build off his win streak and get that much closer to a title shot.
Erick Silva vs. Neil Magny
Round 1:
Silva looking calm early but then goes for an ill-advised spinning back elbow that ends with him on the mat. Silva is able to work back up and then land a takedown to put Magny on the ground. Silva passes guard with ease and now he's working from side control. Magny works up and then lands a trip takedown of his own. Magny controlling Silva against the cage and then just tosses him to the ground. Magny takes the back and he's blasting away with punches. Silva survives but Magny in complete control.
10-9 Neil Magny
Round 2:
Silva with a spinning back kick to open round two, but nothing lands. Silva clubs Magny with a hard punch and then a body kick. Magny returns fire with a nasty uppercut that snaps Silva's head back. Magny rushes forward with a three-punch combo, but he gets too close and Silva grabs the clinch and slams him to the ground. Magny scrambles and works back up before pushing Silva against the cage wall. Magny just making Silva miss and staying in control
10-9 Neil Magny
Round 3:
Silva attacking this round with a heavy barrage of leg kicks. Magny countering with punches but he's still eating a lot of kicks to his lead leg. Magny starts coming back with a quick knee strike up the middle whenever Silva ducks to throw a punch. Magny looks for the takedown and Silva counters with a throw of his own. Silva just no urgency after likely losing the first two rounds. Magny winning with a strong jab and more offensive output.
10-9 Neil Magny
FOX Sports scores it 30-27 for Neil Magny
Official result: Neil Magny def. Erick Silva by split decision (29-28, 30-27, 28-29)
Analysis:
Any kind of win would have been good for Magny after accepting this fight on extremely short notice following a loss in his last bout. Still, Magny was able to control the distance and never get caught in big exchanges with a power puncher like Silva. Magny had a good game plan and stuck to it while Silva just looked like a fish out of water. Silva never got his hands going and he looked like he was stuck in mud for almost all 15 minutes in the Octagon. Magny gets back on track and now he's won eight out of his last nine fights as he remains a tough matchup for anyone in the welterweight division.
Patrick Cote vs. Josh Burkman
Round 1:
Cote is pushing the pace early with Burkman sitting back and trying to counter. Burkman pops Cote and he shoots in for a takedown. They are now exchanging strikes against the cage before separating back to the center. Cote still working for the takedown from the clinch before landing a hard left on the escape. Cote unloads a monster right hand that staggers Burkman but he smiles and starts winging punches back! The round comes to an end.
10-9 Patrick Cote
Round 2:
Cote still controlling the striking on the feet as Burkman tries to find an opening with his counters. Burkman finally finds an opening and lands a big trip takedown but can't keep Cote on the ground for very long. Cote decides to shoot in for a single leg takedown but Burkman shows great balance and defense. Cote staying busier and that's probably going to win him the round.
10-9 Patrick Cote
Round 3:
Burkman comes out gunning and he clocks Cote with a hard shot and traps him against the cage! Burkman is unloading but Cote weathers the storm and fires back with punches of his own. Cote fires off a huge right hand that blasts Burkman on the chin and drops him to the ground! Cote follows up with a flurry of shots on the ground before the referee finally steps into stop it. Incredible finish in that third round.
Official result: Patrick Cote def. Josh Burkman by TKO at 1:25, R3
Analysis:
What a fight. Cote and Burkman mustered all of their veteran experience and put on a show for the Canadian fans on Sunday night. Cote went up early, Burkman battled back late and then the dramatic TKO finish. Neither Cote nor Burkman are probably ever going to be considered elite welterweights, but putting on performances like these should guarantee both men have a job in the UFC for quite some time. For Burkman, it's his third loss in a row since returning to the UFC but he should absolutely get at least another fight if he's willing to put on these kinds of performances. As for Cote, he still has the punching power that made him famous early in his career and he's still going strong at 35.
Chad Laprise vs. Francisco Trinaldo
Round 1:
Trinaldo pushing forward with hard punches but he's eating some counters from Laprise. The aggression pays off because Trinaldo tags Laprise with a hard left hand and he's wobbly falling down to the mat! Trinaldo immediately moves to take the back and just unloads on Laprise! Trinaldo keeps it up and the punches are hammering Laprise, who is just lying on the ground eating the shots. The referee sees enough and calls a stop to the fight. Very impressive showing for Trinaldo
Official result: Francisco Trinaldo def. Chad Laprise by TKO (strikes) at 2:43, R1
Analysis:
Big upset win for Francisco Trinaldo, who was somewhere around a 4-to-1 underdog going into the fight with Chad Laprise. Trinaldo showed no fear taking on a pretty lethal striker and once he had Laprise hurt, he didn't let up until it was over. Trinaldo has now won four fights in a row and seems like he's ready to take a stab at top-20 competition in the lightweight division. Tough loss for Laprise, who falls for the first time in his career after a 10-0 start.
Olivier Aubin-Mercier vs. Tony Sims
Round 1:
Aubin-Mercier wastes no time shooting in on Sims and putting him on the mat. Aubin-Mercier locks his arms under and gets a big slam before taking Sims' back. Aubin-Mercier looking for the rear-naked choke to get the first-round finish. Sims is able to resist but he's still stuck in a bad spot. All Aubin-Mercier in round one.
10-9 Olivier Aubin-Mercier
Round 2:
Aubin-Mercier once again swoops in looking for a takedown, this time grabbing onto a single leg and pressuring Sims against the cage. Aubin-Mercier finally gets it down momentarily but Sims continues to scramble to stay off the ground. Still, Aubin-Mercier relentless with his takedowns. Aubin-Mercier plants Sims on the mat again with just a minute to go in round two. Stays in control and winning another round.
10-9 Olivier Aubin-Mercier
Round 3:
Aubin-Mercier looks for another takedown but Sims is able to sprawl out this time and starts coming over the top with punches and elbows. Aubin-Mercier continues to move and they work back to the feet. Sims giving up another takedown but he tries for a guillotine to no avail. Aubin-Mercier works and takes Sims' back again, locking on the body triangle from the bottom. He doesn't get the choke but Aubin-Mercier certainly got the win.
10-9 Olivier Aubin-Mercier
FOX Sports scores it 30-27 for Olivier Aubin-Mercier
Official result: Olivier Aubin-Mercier def. Tony Sims by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Analysis:
Aubin-Mercier remains a name to watch as Canada looks for another fighter for the future with Georges St-Pierre gone. He's still extremely raw with wrestling as his best weapon at this point, but Aubin-Mercier has a ton of potential. Thankfully, he's acknowledged that he's still very young in the sport and Aubin-Mercier isn't trying to jump ahead in his career too fast without getting valuable experience first and foremost. He's still got plenty to learn but Aubin-Mercier has the talent to one day become a real contender in the lightweight division.
Maryna Moroz vs. Valerie Letourneau
Round 1:
Moroz with good speed early, using a long jab to keep Letourneau at bay. Letourneau landing counters with good power. Moroz staying aggressive and Letourneau comes back with a hard right that drops her to the mat! Letourneau heavy on top trying to take advantage but Moroz survives. Moroz is able to latch onto Letourneau's head and slow her down. Letourneau still on top as the round comes to an end.
10-9 Valerie Letourneau
Round 2:
Moroz throwing with volume and not slowing down much in the second round. Letourneau clearly the stronger fighter with more power in the exchanges. Letourneau pops Moroz with a good body kick. Moroz comes back with a hard right hand that rattles Letourneau. She tries to come after Letourneau, but can't quite take advantage. Still, Moroz lands her best shot of the fight with that punch. Close, competitive round.
10-9 Maryna Moroz
Round 3:
Letourneau comes over the top with a good combination to start the round that cracks Moroz on the jaw. Letourneau ends up landing on the ground, stuck in Moroz's guard. Letourneau in good control on the mat and Moroz isn't offering up much to counter except playing defense. Moroz finally tries for a triangle but Letourneau slips free and goes back to the feet. The fighters exchange a few more punches before it comes to an end. Really fun fight.
10-9 Valerie Letourneau
FOX Sports scores it 29-28 for Valerie Letourneau
Official result: Valerie Letourneau def. Maryna Moroz by unanimous decision (29-28 on all cards)
Analysis:
Huge win for Valerie Letourneau, who moves to 2-0 since dropping down to the strawweight division. Letourneau was a big underdog going into the night, but she was always a good prospect after dropping down from bantamweight considering the level of competition she's faced throughout her career not to mention taking current No. 1 contender Claudia Gadelha to a split decision just a few fights ago before coming to the UFC. Letourneau will now jump into the top 10 with a chance to jump into title talk with another win.
Round 1:
Stout fast on his feet early but Perez counters with a massive right hand that flattens the Canadian. Stout goes down and Perez quickly pounces on him with punches. Referee Herb Dean comes in for the stoppage after Stout eats four or five more punches, but it was clearly over. Great knockout for Perez but a rough ending for Stout.
Official result: Frankie Perez def. Sam Stout by TKO (strikes) at 0:54 seconds, R1
Analysis:
Great finish from Frankie Perez, who absolutely blasted Stout with a counter right hand that sent him crashing face first to the mat. Perez wasted no time getting to the ground to go for the finish and it was clearly over. Following the fight, Perez announced that after getting his first UFC win he was officially retiring from the sport at 26 years of age. Definitely a shocker considering the way he won, but Perez said he's tired of putting his body through the rigors of training and the stress he puts on his family by fighting.
Meanwhile, Stout drops to 0-3 in his last three fights, with all three being finished by knockout. It's hard to imagine the UFC would want to see him suffer a fourth straight knockout, so it's likely someone will be talking to Stout about his future following this loss.
Round 1:
Jabouin throwing fire at Arantes before he grabs the legs and gets a big slam. Jabouin in side control working for punches and elbows. Arantes reverses for a moment but Jabouin quickly regains control on top. Jabouin still on top, now locked inside Arantes' guard. Arantes tries for an upkick and then a triangle, but Jabouin maintains position. Arantes snags an armbar from the bottom and it's locked on! Jabouin rolls but he's trapped and Arantes tightens it up and he gets the tap! Wow quick finish there for Arantes out of nowhere.
Official result: Felipe Arantes def. Yves Jabouin by submission (armbar) at 4:21, R1
Analysis:
Very impressive finish for Felipe Arantes after giving up a couple of takedowns early to Jabouin. Arantes stayed incredibly patient and just waited until Jabouin gave him an opening, first hitting him with an upkick and then latching onto the armbar to get the finish. Good debut for Arantes at bantamweight while Jabouin's struggles continue. He's now just 1-3 in his last four fights as he's trying desperately to find some kind of consistency in the UFC.
Round 1:
These guys are swinging for the fences early but de Lima grabs on for a guillotine choke and drops to the mat. Krylov slips free and starts throwing hard punches. He gets too aggressive and de Lima grabs another guillotine choke and this time it's deep! Krylov refuses to give up and he finally works free. De Lima looks for a kneebar but Krylov blocks by grabbing the fence but the referee doesn't pause it. Krylov quickly locks onto de Lima's back and wraps his arm under the chin to get a quick tap. Fast finish there.
Official result: Nikita Krylov def. Marcos Rogerio de Lima by submission (rear naked choke) at 2:29, R1
Analysis:
The fence grab to escape the submission isn't a good look for Krylov, but then again it's the referee's responsibility to stop him or penalize him for doing it. Neither happened and Krylov took advantage in quick order to latch onto the choke and get the finish. Krylov wins his third straight fight with all of those victories ending in the first round. Krylov may not be a threat to anyone in the top five at light heavyweight, but he sure knows how to bring the excitement whenever he's in the Octagon.
Chris Kelades vs. Chris Beal
Round 1:
Kelades initiates the clinch but it's Beal who grabs the takedown and lands in half guard. Beal showing good offense on the mat with a solid striking attack. Beal is landing some hard shots on the mat but Kelades is able to work up to the feet before he gets sent right back to the mat again. Great start for Beal in round one.
10-9 Chris Beal
Round 2:
Kelades more effective in this round, landing a few combinations, including a nice jab to the body before he shoots in for a takedown. Kelades pressuring Beal against the cage with the clinch. Beal is still more accurate with his strikes, but his output has slowed dramatically in this round. Beal is able to get underneath an overaggressive Kelades for a takedown but only for a moment. Kelades is back up and working for the front headlock. Kelades with a nice flurry to end the round.
10-9 Chris Kelades
Round 3:
Kelades gets a takedown but Beal rolls and ends up on top. Beal maintaining control on top but not doing much else. Beal holding onto the back but the fight works back up to the feet with just over two minutes to go. Kelades firing off some good combinations trying to steal the round. Kelades cracks Beal with a couple hard right hands. Beal is backing up but trying to counter with whatever he has left in the tank. Extremely close round, extremely close fight.
10-9 Chris Beal
FOX Sports scores it 29-28 for Chris Beal
Official result: Chris Kelades def. Chris Beal by split decision (29-28, 29-28, 27-30)
Analysis:
Back-and-forth fight over three rounds with Beal seemingly running out of gas after his best round. Beal cuts a tremendous amount of weight to get down to 125 pounds and if he plans to compete in this division, he has to get that accomplished in a healthy way or his conditioning could become his biggest detriment. Kelades was able to capitalize on the cardio problems and stayed aggressive to pull out the final two rounds.
Round 1:
Silverio catches a kick and takes Campbell down for a moment. Campbell fights to work his way back to the feet. Silverio keeps scrambling and finally gets him down before landing in half guard. Silverio eventually works his way to take the back but Campbell rolls and lands in the Brazilian's guard before they work back to the feet.
10-9 Elias Silverio
Round 2:
Hard leg kick to open round 2 from Silverio and he's quick to lock onto the clinch and look for another takedown. Campbell is able to reverse and actually gets a nice throw. Campbell getting more aggressive and he gets Silverio to the mat and he's on top this time around. Campbell lets him back up and Silverio looks like he's running out of gas. Campbell rushes forward and gets a trip takedown of his own. Campbell takes the back and works for the choke but runs out of time.
10-9 Shane Campbell
Round 3:
Silverio still working for takedowns and he's finally able to get Campbell to the mat where he looks to get the back. Campbell playing defense but he's not shucking Silverio off his back and time is running out. Campbell turns, reverses and grabs a takedown of his own. Campbell lets him up and they start striking but Silverio quickly rushes in again for another takedown but he can't get it. Campbell again reverses and lands on top. Campbell keeps busy on the top until the final horn sounds.
10-9 Shane Campbell
FOX Sports scores it 29-28 for Shane Campbell
Official result: Shane Campbell def. Elias Silverio by unanimous decision (29-28 on all cards)
Analysis:
Solid start for Elias Silverio, but he gassed hard after the first round and just let it get away from him. Campbell won by using superior conditioning and avoiding takedowns. Campbell probably could have done more offensively while Silverio was gasping for air, but he still did enough to get the win.
Round 1:
Cirkunov very aggressive in the early going throwing head kicks and then gets a nice trip throw to the ground into side control. The fight works back to the feet, but Cirkunov wastes no time getting it back to the ground and this time he's got the mount before rolling to take the back. Cirkunov just hammers away at Jolly, who is defenseless on the ground trying to block the strikes. Cirkunov pours it on and the referee finally steps in to stop it!
Official result: Misha Cirkunov def. Daniel Jolly by KO (strikes) at 4:45, R1
Analysis:
Very impressive first fight for Misha Cirkunov, who was a highly touted prospect coming into the night. Aggressive striking and phenomenal ground control. The light heavyweight division is in desperate need of more prospects and Cirkunov could be a great addition if he can keep these kinds of performances going again for future fights.
UFC FIGHT NIGHT: HOLLOWAY VS. OLIVEIRA
MAIN CARD (9pm ET on FOX Sports 1)
MAIN EVENT: Max Holloway vs. Charles Oliveira
Erick Silva vs. Neil Magny
Patrick Cote vs. Josh Burkman
Chad Laprise vs. Francisco Trinaldo
Olivier Aubin-Mercier vs. Tony Sims
Maryna Moroz vs. Valerie Letourneau
UFC FIGHT NIGHT PRELIMS (7pm on FOX Sports 1)
Sam Stout vs. Frankie Perez
Yves Jabouin vs. Felipe Arantes
Marcos Rogerio de Lima vs. Nikita Krylov
Chris Kelades vs. Chris Beal
UFC FIGHT NIGHT EARLY PRELIMS (6pm on UFC Fight Pass)
Shane Campbell vs. Elias Silverio
Misha Cirkunov vs. Daniel Jolly
