Kurt Holobaugh was the winner of The Ultimate Fighter 31: McGregor vs. Chandler. However, he entered the fight on Saturday’s UFC Vegas 94 in an interesting position. Besides his second-round submission victory over Austin Hubbard to win TUF 31, Holobaugh had lost his other 5-fights with the promotion. Holobaugh’s most recent fight was a unanimous decision loss to Trey Ogden back in March.
Kaynan Kruschewsky found his way to the UFC thanks to a first round submission victory last year on the Contender Series. Kruschewsky made his promotional debut last November and was finished in the first round by Elves Berner.
The fight got off to a blistering pace. Kurt struck first and landed a jab as Kaynan returned fire. The two men ended up clinched against the cage, still throwing strikes. Holobaugh was able to gain control of the clinch and pushed his opponent against the cage and landed heavy knees. Kaynan attempted a guillotine and quickly let it go as the two men returned to space. Holobaugh landed a thudding leg kick and was able to land some solid punches from the clinch. Holobaugh attempted another takedown as Kruschewsky looked for the guillotine again. As both fighters disengaged Holobaugh looked for an opportunity to land his jab-cross combo. Kayan went high with a punch then connected low to the body. Holobaugh was able to surge with a four or five straight punch combo that caused Kruschewsky to momentarily retreat. The two men ended up engaged in the clinch again with a minute left. Holobaugh worked for the single once again and exposed himself to another reactive guillotine. In the final seconds of the round the two men exchanged strikes on the feet, with both guys still looking fresh.
To open the second round Kaynan threw some nice long right hands. Holobaugh returned and ate a counter from Kaynan but continued to come forward. The two fighters ended up back in the clinch and Holobaugh again in a deep guillotine. Kaynan fully committed and went to his back as Holobaugh was able to pop his head out and land damage on the ground. Midway thru the round and Kaynan was able to find his feet again. Holobaugh continued to pressure Kaynan, throwing punches in bunches mostly to the body. Kruschewsky threw back connecting with shots to the body, head and landed knees. With a minute left in the round and both fighters were targeting the body. Kruschewsky got hurt to the body and Holobaugh went upstairs and connected, hard. Kaynan began to retreat, looking dazed and Kurt ended up shooting for a takedown. Kruschewsky held onto the head once again before Kurt was able to score some ground and pound to end the round.
To begin the final round Kaynan got into the clinch and landed some solid knees to the body. Kurt went right back to the body of his opponent with punches as his hand speed little looked a little faster than his opponent’s. Kruschewsky was able to trip Holobaugh to get a crucial takedown. He landed a solid elbow from Holobaugh’s guard. After a scramble, Kurt was able to return to his feet. Seconds later, at the mid-way point of the round, Kaynan landed another takedown, this time in the center of the octagon. Kaynan landed some nice ground and pound but ultimately lost position and Kurt was able to get on top. Holobaugh didn’t land much ground and pound with his positioning. But with 30 seconds left in the fight, Holobaugh was able to get to his opponent’s back and threaten a rear naked choke.
Official Result: Kurt Holobaugh def. Kaynan Kruschewsky by Unanimous Decision, 29-28, 29-28, 29-28
