UFC Fight Night 96

UFC Fight Night 96 in Portland, Oregon taking place on October 1st, 2016. The headline for this fight card was John Lineker versus John Dodson, who was a two-time former Flyweight Championship challenger. As the fight neared, controversy built up as multiple fighters missed weight during weigh ins.

Undercard

Nate Marquardt def. Tamden McCrory via knockout (Round 2, 4:44) Ion Cutelaba def. Jonathan Wilson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Curtis Blaydes def. Cody East via technical knockout (Round 2, 2:02) Ketlen Viera def. Kelly Faszholz via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Undercard

Luis Henrique da Silva def. Joachim Christensen via submission (arm bar) (Round 2, 4:43) Andre Fili def. Hacran Dias via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Shamil Abdurakhimov def. Walt Harris via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos def. Keita Nakamura via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Main Card

Brandon Moreno (11-3 MMA, 0-0 UFC), vs. Louis Smolka (11-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC)

The opening fight on this main card set the tone for the rest of the night. Smolka and Moreno faced off in the Flyweight divison. Moreno, who was making his UFC debut, showed he has what it takes to hang in there with the talent of the UFC. Smolka looked confident at the start of the fight, coming out pushing the pace and landing the first strike. However, this did not discourage Moreno, who scored an early takedown. Smolka worked backed to his feet and Moreno tailed another takedown. This time he was able to transition right into a guillotine. Smolka continued to fight, but had to reluctantly tap. Giving the upset victory to Brandon Moreno. What a great start for his UFC career.

Moreno def. Smolka via submission (Round 1, 2:23)

Zak Ottow (13-3 MMA, 0-0 UFC) vs. Joshua Burkman (28-13 MMA, 1-4, UFC)

Since this fight was not a main event, it was only slated for three rounds and it went the distance. Burkman, the seasoned veteran squared up with Ottow, who made his first appearance in the UFC. Ottow was the aggressor on his feet early in the fight, showing surprising success against Burkman who lead with a boxer’s stance. There were no attempts by either fighter of bringing this fight to the ground and Burkman began to find chances. Ottow opened the third round with a takedown and Burkman followed with a takedown of his own later in the round. Later in the round, Ottow was able to work his way back to his feet and secured a second takedown of the round. This late third round surge by Ottow helped seured him the narrow victory over Burkaman. Zak Ottow starts his UFC career on a high note, notching his first victory in his debut.

Ottow def. Burkman via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)

Alex Oliveira (14-4 MMA,) vs. Will Brooks (18-1 MMA,)

The unorthodox theme heading into these fights was fighters missing weight, which is rarely seen in MMA. Alex Oliveira was the second fighter of the night to miss weight; missing 155 lbs. by 5.5 lbs. Again this fight was allowed to continue on at a catch weight of 161.5 lbs. As the fighters squared up, you could clearly see that Oliveira clearly had the size advantage over Brooks. Oliveira used his size to his advantage and swarmed Brooks early. Despite being undersized, Brooks pushed back, bringing Oliveira to the mat early, but that didn’t last. Brooks apparently suffered a rib injury early, which was an impactor on this fight. The two continued to battle, but the rib injury was too much. In the third round, Oliveira was able to late takedown, followed up by vicious elbows, which ended the fight. Following the stop of the fight, Brooks taunted Oliveira and controversy swirled.

Oliveira def. Brooks via TKO (Round 3, 3:30)

John Linekar (28-7 MMA, 9-2 UFC) vs. John Dodson (18-7MMA, 7-2 UFC)

The John’s squared off as the headline for this fight card in Portland, Or. The buildup surrounding this fight increased after weighs ins, when Linekar was unable to make the contracted weight of 135 lbs. Fortunately, they still allowed him to compete at a catchweight of 136.5 lbs. Thank goodness for that because this fight weight the distance and the two battled until the final seconds. Although the fight started off slow, Lineker and Dodson put on a show. Lineker pushed the pace for most of the fight as Dodson looked to evade him. After Lineker taunted Dodson in the second round and a low blow by Dodson stopped the fight,things picked up and the fight unfolded. Lineker was the aggressor in the judge’s eyes, knocking Dodson down and landing more punches, he came away with the narrow victory.

Lineker def. Dodson via split decision (48-47, 48-47, 47-48)

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