UFC Fight Night 74: Max Holloway Comes In Hot Against Charles Oliveira

The co-main event brings another impressive match-up as American Neil Magny faces Brazilian Erick Silva in a welterweight match that should be one to watch as well. Don’t agree with Okamoto’s predictions?

BK: Holloway may be only 23, but in fighting years he’s roughly 32.

The current owner of the most significant strikes in UFC featherweight history at 667 and counting (according to FightMetric.com), Blessed has already showcased a blistering ability to land punches in bunches.

That makes him very unique. “I’m only 21. I have a lot of time left in this sport”. His evolution has been highly recognized and deservedly documented, which is a direct result of his natural growth finally catching up with his high fight IQ.

“We rented for a couple years and it wasn’t fun paying someone else’s mortgage”, Holloway told Yahoo Sports. One who has only been out-struck twice in his entire UFC career (by McGregor and Justin Lawrence).

And it’s easy to see why.

Oliveira said he wouldn’t hesitate to engage Holloway on the feet.

Surging featherweight contender Max Holloway feels he’s ready for a rematch with The Notorious. Trouble.

I’m going to say that Oliveira’s Jiu-Jitsu is just behind Demian Maia’s in the UFC and the fact that the striking of Do Bronx has improved so much has me believing that he has more tools in his locker. He has an upright, rooted stance, which is good for power but not necessarily for movement. Penn, Holloway began his professional journey relatively early. But in the end, Laprise will win this fight by decision with his striking.

That’s the million dollar question, though: Can Holloway defend the takedown? If Magny can calm the storm early, it is his for the taking past the second round. Silverio gets him to the ground momentarily, but stays on his back. The fight could be over before he knows what hits (or chokes) him. Lately things have turned around as Holloway is on a six fight win streak and should get a big name next time out provided he puts away No. 7 Charles Oliveira.

As for Oliveira, whose divisional momentum has been derailed by loses to Edgar and Cub Swanson in year’s past, is arguably one of the very best submission experts among featherweights. That’s my belief and that’s what got me here.

Breakdown: A 22-day turnaround for Magny, which has to be noted but doesn’t really concern me that much here. Although he was soundly dominated on the ground in that fight, he only absorbed 13 total strikes.

Despite a solid run in WSOF, Burkman hasn’t looked too good in his second UFC stint so far, while Cote is 4-1 in his last five fights, but it’s a record that flatters to deceive a bit as he’s generally looked like a fighter who’s past his best. There’s no real secret to this. Oliveira will also be entering his first UFC main event in this bout and he does so on a four fight winning streak.

If Magny, 28, is anything, he is a workhorse. Moroz is now 6-0 with her last win over Joanne Calderwood via submission at UFC Fight Night 64. “He’s a smart fighter and I have to respect him (as such and) I respect him as a person”. Here, he’ll have a six-inch advantage against Silva.

I’d be nearly certain that this fight won’t go all three rounds as the 21 combined fights between the pair have only gone the distance twice.

The wildcard in all of this, of course, is that Silva claims souls when he connects. Moroz is the more athletic of the two, and has a knack for finishing fights.

Chad Laprise to win by decision. Doubt it. Silva finishes Magny within the first round, which is a huge value in fantasy. Campbell tries to sweep but winds up giving up his back.