The featured prelim at UFC 318 in New Orleans on Saturday saw bantamweights Kyler Phillips and Vinicius Oliveira face off.
Phillips, a.k.a. “The Matrix,” had seen a three-fight win streak snapped by Rob Font last time out. As for Oliveira, the Brazilian was 3-0 to start his UFC run.
This fight started with a wild exchange as Kyler Phillips dropped Oliveira in the first ten seconds. Oliveira was able to survive, as Phillips circled throwing a few lightning fast kicks to the head that narrowly missed. Oliveira couldn’t find his footing and was stumbling around the cage. Phillips started to kickbox effectively from the outside, as Oliveira marched forward with his hands down by his side. Oliveira was looking to land a massive right hand, but Phillips was quickly moving out of the way of the dangerous attacks. In and out of range Kyler was out landing Oliveira at distance. With a minute left in the round, Phillips had double the amount of significant strikes landed. A highly competitive five minutes more than likely went the way of Phillips.
In the second, Oliveira again marched forward throwing shots with fight ending intentions. A well timed left hook landed on the button for Oliveira that knocked Phillips to the ground. Kyler quickly returned to his feet but was badly hurt as Oliveira tried to pounce. Phillips tumbled to the ground as Oliveira ended up in top position in full guard. A very fast start for the Brazilian prospect who elected for the fight to return to the feet. Once standing again, Oliveira continued to throw bombs at Phillips loading up on every strike. A good low leg kick by Oliveira landed followed by a left hook upstairs. Phillips was fighting off the back foot and continued to eat big shots from Oliveira before entering the clinch. Oliveira landed another takedown in the final minute of the round. Good ground and pound put a stamp on the round for Oliveira, as the fight could have been 1-1 entering the third.
In the final round, Oliveira pressed forward while Phillips retreated to the cage. A good low leg kick landed for Oliveira, who seemed to be the fresher fighter. Another leg kick landed for Oliveira who missed a big left hook by inches. Phillips was trying to fight behind his jab, but kept moving backwards. Both fighters exchanged spinning kicks, before Oliveira landed a right hook that glanced off Phillips. With a minute remaining the round was even in terms of significant strikes. The intent on Oliveira’s punches seemed to be making the difference in this one. As the final bell sounded it seemed as though Oliveira had won two rounds to one.
The judges awarded the contest to unanimously to Vinicius Oliveira who seems to be one of the most intriguing young prospects in the division.
Official Result: Vinicius Oliveira def. Kyler Phillips by unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 29–28)
