Kicking off the FS1 Prelims of UFC Boise was a highly entertaining scrap between featherweights Kurt Holobaugh and Raoni Barcelos.
Kurt Holobaugh and Raoni Barcelos kicked off the UFC Boise televised prelims with a featherweight match-up in an important battle for both. Kurt Holobaugh was coming off an appearance on Dana White’s Contender Series, while Raoni Barcelos was also making his UFC debut. A big win for either in their debut could be a statement in a stacked featherweight division.
The two started off fast with both looking to land heavy shots in the first round. Holobaugh looked for big combinations and landed a nice right hand that jacked the jaw of Barcelos. Barcelos, near the end of the round, landed a beautifully timed takedown. Holobaugh would get back to his feet and then shoot a takedown of his own that was stuffed by a sprawling Barcelos, who would then turn the position into a guillotine attempt. It looked like he had it but the clock ran out.
Round two was mostly controlled by Barcelos; both fighters continued to have success on the fight however Barcelos got two takedowns on Holobaugh. Near the end of the round Holobaugh got Barcelos back and looked to do something with it, but he lacked time to work, and so the clock ran out with Barcelos surviving.
The setup. 😳 @RaoniBarcelos #UFCBoise pic.twitter.com/pO8phxL6x2
— UFC (@ufc) July 15, 2018
Barcelos ended the fight in the third with an absolutely beautiful combination. The sequence ended with an uppercut that had Holobaugh falling backwards, and the referee jumped in to save him. It was a video game combination of right hands, providing a highlight reel finish to the fight.
Raoni Barcelos def. Kurt Holobaugh by TKO, ROund 3, 1:29
