In the co-main event of UFC Portland earlier tonight (October 1, 2016), No. 11-ranked Will Brooks met Alex Oliveira in a matchup that could propel either men into the top ten of the UFC’s 155-pound rankings. In the first round Oliveira showed that he could match the talented Brooks’ wrestling game, and even took Brooks
In the co-main event of UFC Portland earlier tonight (October 1, 2016), No. 11-ranked Will Brooks met Alex Oliveira in a matchup that could propel either men into the top ten of the UFC’s 155-pound rankings.
In the first round Oliveira showed that he could match the talented Brooks’ wrestling game, and even took Brooks down for a few seconds before ‘Ill’ Will returned to his feet.
The second round was very close, as each man landed their own sets of takedowns, and at two points Brooks found himself on Oliveira’s back and threatening the rear-naked choke.
In the third round Brooks showed the affects of a broken rib, grimacing in nearly every situation he initiated himself in with ‘Cowboy’. It all came to a screeching end when Oliveira landed some nasty ground-and-pound forcing referee Herb Dean to call it off.
Nobody shook hands after the bout, however, as Oliveira threw a crotch chop at Brooks’ way while he was tending to his rib. Brooks got up and threw his mouthpiece at Oliveira before returning to the mat in pain.
You can check out the full fight video highlights here:
UFC Portland popped off from the Moda Center in Oregon’s largest city tonight (October 1, 2016). The main event pit former flyweight knockout artists who have since climbed the scale up to bantamweight, John Dodson and John Lineker. The Brazilian, who had well-documented troubles making the 125-pound limit at flyweight, did not leave his troubles with
UFC Portland popped off from the Moda Center in Oregon’s largest city tonight (October 1, 2016). The main event pit former flyweight knockout artists who have since climbed the scale up to bantamweight, John Dodson and John Lineker. The Brazilian, who had well-documented troubles making the 125-pound limit at flyweight, did not leave his troubles with the scale behind. Lineker once again failed to make weight.
The two diminutive punchers went at it for the full five rounds, bashing each other with hard shots all the while. The crowd became restless with Dodson’s movement and reluctance to engage at times, but he remained effective with his offense nonetheless. ‘The Magician’ was particularly effective with his kicks, catching ‘Hands of Stone’ flush to head more than once. But Lineker continued to press forward and land thudding punches to the head and body. The Brazilian escaped with a split decision victory, but many fans were split on who they thought the victor was.
The co-headliner saw former Bellator champion ‘Ill’ Will Brooks in his sophomore UFC effort take on Alex Oliveira. The Brazilian ‘Cowboy’ also had serious trouble finishing his weight cut, actually coming in 5.5 pounds above the non-title lightweight limit of 156.
The size difference was evident from the get-go, and Oliveira made it work to his advantage. He had success in the clinch with his size and strength advantages and hurt Brooks’ rib with a knee. The injury worsened as the fight wore on, and by the third round, Brooks was grimacing in every position. ‘Cowboy’ pounded out the obviously compromised Brooks, and then taunted him by doing a crotch chop and a chin flip. An incensed Brooks staggered to his feet to pursue Oliveira and threw his mouthpiece at him when referee Herb Dean held him back. Brooks then collapsed back to the canvas in agony, the momentum he carried over from Bellator at an abrupt end.
The main card kicked off with The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 24 contestant Brandon Moreno taking on the biggest favorite on the card, Louis Smolka. ‘Assassin Baby’ snatched a first-round high-elbow guillotine choke for the biggest win of his career. Moreno was making a short-notice debut for the injured Sergio Pettis. After losing his fight on the show, Moreno no longer has to worry about sticking around the big show.
Check out MMA Twitter’s reaction to these exciting scraps below:
It definitely pays to cheat in MMA. If you can get away with it, DO IT. Rewards much bigger than the small penalties.
Exactly. I'm all for getting into a fight. But you just look pretty silly doing all of that. Class in victory and class in defeat. https://t.co/P9UdkRrhjQ
Former Bellator lightweight champion Will Brooks (18-2) earned a spot on the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 96. His opponent was Alex Oliveira (15-4-1). Oliveira walked away with the biggest win of his career, but his post-fight antics may have overshadowed the accomplishment. A hard leg kick from “Cowboy” got things started. Brooks went
Former Bellator lightweight champion Will Brooks (18-2) earned a spot on the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 96. His opponent was Alex Oliveira (15-4-1).
Oliveira walked away with the biggest win of his career, but his post-fight antics may have overshadowed the accomplishment.
A hard leg kick from “Cowboy” got things started. Brooks went for a takedown, but the strength of Oliveira forced “Ill Will’s” back against the cage. Oliveira dropped down, but Brooks defended. Brooks landed a knee to the body. He reversed the position and dumped “Cowboy” to the mat. Oliveira got back up and pushed his opponent against the fence again. Brooks reversed the position, but once again the Brazilian was able to regain control. Oliveira went for a choke, but Brooks moved to mount as the round ended.
Commentator and current light heavyweight title holder Daniel Cormier mentioned that Brooks told his corner he thought he popped his ribs in the first round. “Ill Will” scored a takedown and secured mount early in round two. Brooks landed an elbow. Oliveira stood up, but gave up his back in the process. “Cowboy” got out of a rear-naked choke attempt and took his opponent down. “Cowboy” landed an elbow in full guard. Brooks got to his feet and slammed Oliveira down. He went for another choke, but his opponent broke free. The round ended with “Ill Will” searching for a takedown.
Brooks landed some leg kicks at the start of the final round. A counter right hand dropped Brooks, who went for a leg kick. Brooks continued to battle in the clinch. Oliveira took him down and Brooks grimaced due to his rib injury. “Cowboy” landed a knee to the body and then one to the head. Oliveira went to town on Brooks until referee Herb Dean stopped the fight.
Post-fight, Oliveira taunted Brooks with a crotch chop and flicking under his chin. Brooks responded by throwing his mouthpiece at “Cowboy.” The hostility stems from Oliveira missing weight by over five pounds. “Ill Will” called his opponent out on it with a Twitter video.
Final Result: Alex Oliveira def. Will Brooks via TKO (strikes) – R3, 3:30
Will Brooks is set to fight Alex Oliveira at UFC Fight Night 96 and had some choice words for Oliveria who missed weight by a fairly hefty five and a half pounds for their lightweight fight. Brooks was still cutting weight in the sauna when he learned the news. At Friday’s weigh-ins, Oliveira hit the
Will Brooks is set to fight Alex Oliveira at UFC Fight Night 96 and had some choice words for Oliveria who missed weight by a fairly hefty five and a half pounds for their lightweight fight. Brooks was still cutting weight in the sauna when he learned the news.
At Friday’s weigh-ins, Oliveira hit the scale at 161.5 pounds, which is way off the mark from the 156-pound limit for the weight division. Brooks posted this on Twitter:
“I’m in the sauna right now,” Brooks said in the video. “I just saw Alex Oliveira missed weight by five and a half pounds. Come on, man. That’s unprofessional. I take this serious, bro. I’m not in the business of not doing my job. My wife and my daughter can’t afford for me to miss weight, for the commission to take 20 percent of my paycheck. This is a profession. This is your job. Be a professional, make weight. This is my problem with guys now. I get that it’s entertainment, but this is also a profession. This is serious business. I sacrificed a lot to get here. But I’m still in the sauna and he’s five and a half pounds over. I’m like point-8 over right now, but I want to make sure that I’m on point. That upsets me. That angers me. That pisses me off.”
UFC Fight Night 96 takes place on October 1st, 2016 from the Moda Center in Portland, Ore.
Most of the news in MMA this week has obviously been focused on Conor McGregor and his lightweight title bout against 155-pound champ Eddie Alvarez in the main event of November’s UFC 205 from New York, but the promotion still has a card scheduled for this weekend in the form of UFC Fight Night 96
Most of the news in MMA this week has obviously been focused on Conor McGregor and his lightweight title bout against 155-pound champ Eddie Alvarez in the main event of November’s UFC 205 from New York, but the promotion still has a card scheduled for this weekend in the form of UFC Fight Night 96 from Portland, Oregon.
In the main event, surging knockout puncher John Lineker will meet division returnee John Dodson for a chance a prime bantamweight positioning in the suddenly deep-stacked 135-pound class. Lineker has won five straight including two by knockout and one by submission, while Dodson recently ran through Manny Gamburyan and has only lost to pound-for-pound king Demetrious Johnson since late 2009. In the co-main event, former Bellator lightweight champion Will Brooks will continue his attempt to ruse up the UFC ranks against the exciting Alex Oliveira.
Will it be “Hands of Stone” or “The Magician” who puts on the best performance in Portland? Find out who we picked below:
John Lineker vs. John Dodson:
Mike Drahota:
This fight is flying under the radar, especially during a week where potentially the biggest card of all-time was announced. Still, this is one of the most explosive 135-pound bouts the UFC could have put on, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see either fighter win with a brutal KO
No. 3-ranked Lineker is actually a +101 underdog to No. 10 and -121 favorite Dodson according to BigOnSports.com, but that could be a bold prediction. “Hands of Stone” has shown a willingness to slug it out with any bantamweight as evident by his recent wins over Michael McDonald and Francisco Rivera, and he appears to have a chin to match his hands.
Dodson is always a dangerous out who can end a fight shockingly fast, and his wrestling is solid as well. I just think Lineker’s pressure will allow him to out-score Dodson, opening up the way for a finish in the middle rounds. Lineker by round three TKO.
Rory Kernaghan:
Both John Lineker and his namesake Dodson have serious power in their hands, and both have carried it up from flyweight to bantamweight. The big difference between their styles is in the way they deliver this power. Dodson utilizes great footwork and speed, whereas Lineker is one of your stand-and-bang type strikers. Neither man has ever been finished by strikes, in fact ‘The Magician’ has never been stopped. In this fight I can’t see Dodson overcoming that scary power of ‘Hands of Stone,’ the match up reminds me too much of Lineker vs. McCall. I don’t think we’ll see a finish, but I predict a decision win for John Lineker.
Will Brooks vs. Alex Oliveira:
Mike Drahota:
Brooks was impressive as Bellator champ but looked a bit flat in his UFC debut win over Ross Pearson, something that could be attributed to the “Octagon jitters” we often see from hyped competitors.
“Ill” now needs to prove he belongs amongst the top 155-pound fighters in the world, and I think Oregon will be the perfect place for him to do so. Brazilian “Cowboy” Oliveira is a tough, unique fighter who brings a strong submission game, but he’s not one that Brooks, who rates as a -280 favorite according to BigOnSports, should be unable to outclass on the feet. I do not think it will end with a stoppage, however. Brooks by unanimous decision.
Rory Kernaghan:
Former Bellator lightweight champion Will Brooks is perhaps the brightest prospect in the division. That said, Alex Oliveira is going to be huge at lightweight, if he can make the limit that is. It’s been a few years since ‘Cowboy’ fought at 155 pounds, and now there’s no IV rehydration to help either. The Brazilian has some nice hands and ground game, but I feel the wrestling base and hard hands of Brooks will be too much. I’m predicting a second round KO for Will Brooks.
The UFC returns to Portland this coming October for the first time since 2009, as John Lineker takes on John Dodson in a key bantamweight battle. Also, Will Brooks squares off with Alex Ol…
The UFC returns to Portland this coming October for the first time since 2009, as John Lineker takes on John Dodson in a key bantamweight battle. Also, Will Brooks squares off with Alex Oliveira and Brian Ortega meets Hacran Dias.
Set for October 1 from the Moda Center, tickets for the event go on sale this week.
UFC Fight Club members may purchase them beginning Wednesday at 10 a.m. PT, while UFC newsletter subscribes are open to buying tickets on Thursday. General public ticket sales begin Friday. They are priced between $50-$150.
UFC Fight night: Lineker vs. Dodson airs on FOX Sports 1 beginning at 11 p.m. ET after prelims on FOX Sports 2 at 9 p.m. ET. UFC Fight Pass will air several early bouts starting at 7:30 p.m. ET.
