The most anticipated fight of this card is the co-main event between Tony “El Cucuy” Ferguson and Charles “Do Bronx” Oliveira. Oliveira is a brilliant fighter that is dangerous wherever the fight takes place. He is an underrated, under the radar fighter for such a highly skilled top contender. Do Bronx has won seven fights in a row, all finishes, with his last loss coming in 2017. Do Bronx has 14 UFC submission victories, the most in UFC history. He is also tied for most finishes in UFC history with 16.
Ferguson, on the other hand, has a lot of questions to answer after suffering a brutal beating at the hands of Justin Gaethje. At 36 years of age, Ferguson’s time at the top may be coming to a close. However, a win over Oliveira would firmly put him back in title contention.
Round 1
Hard outside low kick lands for Oliveira early. Oliveira charges forward and lands a right hand. A nifty spinning backfist lands for Ferguson. Right head kick lands for Oliveira. Off of a head kick Oliveira charges forward with Ferguson landing a counter check right hook. Uppercut and left hand lands for Ferguson. Oliveria picks up Ferguson with a bodyloc and slams him down. Oliveira looks for a guillotine before ending up in near mount as Ferguson retains a butterfly hook. Hard right elbow for Oliveria from top position. Oliveira transitions to mount and attacks an arm triangle submission attempt. Oliveira doing incredibly well by maintaining mount position and controlling Ferguson for a long period of time. Oliveria with the slick transition to attack an armbar. Incredibly Ferguson does not tap despite it appearing as if his left arm may have been broken.
Seattle Fights round score – 10-8 Oliveira
Round 2
Hard outside leg kick lands early for Oliveira. Ferguson’s left arm is clearly compromised from the armbar attack in Round 1. Oliveria lands a right hand and catches a counter kick from Ferguson and converts the takedown putting Ferguson on his back. Ferguson lands an illegal up kick to Oliveria from bottom position and the fight is stopped. After the re-start, Oliveira lands a heavy elbow from top position. Oliveria lands several hard punches from standing top position. Oliveria controls Ferguson for the remainder of the round as he continued to land shots.
Seattle Fights round score – 10-8 Oliveira
Round 3
Nice hard outside low kick for Oliveira early in the round. Oliveira follows with another outside leg kick. Oliveira gets the advantage in the clinch and once more picks up Ferguson and puts him high in the air before slamming him to the mat. Oliveira with excellent control from top position as he is once more in near mount position. Oliveira transitions to side control. Showing some of the best MMA jiu-jitsu you’ll see in the Octagon, Oliveira slickly passes to mount. Oliveira continues his high level display as he transitions to a triangle armbar attempt and then into side control. Oliveira continues his domination as he controls Ferguson from top position. Oliveira hammers Ferguson with elbows as he closes out a dominant performance.
Seattle Fights round score – 10-8 Oliveria
Official decision – Unanimous decision for Oliveira (30-26 all three judges)