THE UFC returns to Canada for just the second time this year with an entertaining card headlined by two featherweight up-and-comers – Hawaii’s Max Holloway facing off against Brazil’s Charles Oliveira.
The featherweight division is emerging as the must-see weight class in the UFC, and Holloway and Oliveira loom as two men that will be mainstays at the class for years to come.
With an incredible amount of experience between both men – both of whom are under the age of 26 – this promises to be a terrific bout north of the border.
Fight Odds:
UFC Fight Night 74 – featherweight headline match up
Max Holloway (13-3, 9-3 UFC) vs. Charles Oliveira (20-4, 8-4 UFC)
Fight odds courtesy of WilliamHill.com.au
Max Holloway – $1.42
Charles Oliveira – $2.80
The road to Canada:
The main event at Canada places two of the most exciting talents in the featherweight division up against each other.
Max Holloway, whose 12 UFC-bout record belies his young age of 23, is one of the most impressive talents in the division.
After a comprehensive loss to interim champion Connor McGregor two years ago, Holloway knuckled down and has gone on to win six consecutive fights.
His last victory came via knockout against American Cub Swanson in a slug-fest match up that the Hawaiian won with a third round knock out.
Holloway has legitimised his credentials as a true contender in the division, and despite losing to the interim champion McGregor two years ago, he is still the only fighter to take the Irishman the distance.
Charles Oliveira, 25 is the ‘veteran’ of 12 fights in the UFC and has been rapidly rising up the ranks after proving his worth as both a striker and a grappler.
He is currently on a four fight win streak, three of which coming by way of submission.
His last victory was over American Nik Lentz with a choke hold.
The fight looms as an absolute classic, with the winner of this bout almost certain to be propelled into title consideration.
Who will win and why:
Odds provided by Sportsbet.com.au
Total rounds: Over 1.5 ($1.44)
Will the fight go the distance? No ($1.36)
Canada is the setting UFC Fight Night 74 with two of the best fighters in the most exciting division in the sport facing off to thrust their names into the title picture with Max Holloway taking on Charles Oliveira.
Max Holloway is one of the most creative strikers in the division.
There are few positions on his feet that make the Hawaiian uncomfortable as his rock-solid fundaments keep him in control.
While he is capable of striking and pushing the tempo, his counter game has improved considerably since his loss to interim champion Connor McGregor.
With a height and reach advantage over the majority of his opponents, as well as a ferocious and relentless work rate means fighters who do not possess a similar wind-tank can get exposed.
Charles Oliveira has been known as a man with endless talent but inconsistent performances early in his UFC career has left question marks hanging over the Brazilian.
A four fight win, including three via submission have given Oliveira obvious confidence and those wondering if the Brazilian has what it takes to be a major player in the division are now avid supporters.
Oliveira’s main strengths are his grappling game and explosive, unpredictable striking.
While he is capable of fighting on his feet and has proven more than able to end a fight via knockout, he has the tendency to run out of gas.
This is why Holloway should be able to get the win here, with a superior cardiovascular game.
Holloway should be able to evade Oliveira’s takedowns and grappling with his reach advantage and should be able to finish the match before the final bell.
What they have said:
With both men talked about as two of the hottest prospects in the division, both Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira could be forgiven for seeing the gold of the title in their futures.
Not so for Holloway.
The Hawaiian Holloway has his eyes firmly fixed on his current opponent and refuses to look past Sunday’s main event until the fight is over.
“When I’m in camp, I never let my mind wander and think about what’s next. Once I get a fight, my attention is on that guy.” Holloway said.
“I don’t care what the hell is going on in the division. I’ve got my mind on that one guy and that’s the guy I have to beat. He’s got to have all my attention.”
Holloway is not prepared to think about a rematch with the man who last conquered him – interim champion Connor McGregor – instead focusing on rising up the ranks and earning his shot.
“You see it too much from some guys — they start looking ahead and then they slip up and now they’re back at ground zero.
I don’t want to be that guy. I don’t want to go around having to make excuses.”
Charles Oliveira was not as circumspect as his opponent while discussing the upcoming fight.
The Brazilian believes he has what it takes to defeat Holloway with Oliveira unable to envisage a scenario which would see him concede defeat.
“This is a five-round fight. I don’t have to rush the fight. I have five rounds to win. If Holloway makes a mistake before that, I will finish it.” Oliveira said.
“At some point I’m going to put Holloway down and I’m very good with submissions,”
Despite having to get past Holloway first, the Brazilian is already preparing himself for a battle with the division’s best.
The 25-year old Brazilian declared he will be champion sooner rather than later.
“I respect (Jose) Aldo so much and the same for (Conor) McGregor, but after beating Holloway, I will be the champion and I’ll fight anyone in the UFC who challenges me.”
Other fights on the card:
Odds provided from Sportsbet.com.au
Daniel Jolly ($4.60) vs. Misha Cirkunov ($1.17)
Elias Silverio ($1.35) vs. Shane Campbell ($3.01)
Chris Beal ($1.52) vs. Chris Kelades ($2.42)
Marcos Rogerio De Lima ($1.73) vs. Nikkita Krylov ($2.01)
Felipe Arantes ($1.49) vs. Yves Jabouin ($2.50)
Frankie Perez ($1.83) vs. Sam Stout ($1.90)
Chad Laprise ($1.28) vs. Francisco Trinaldo ($3.45)
Olivier Aubin-Mercier ($1.37) vs. Tony Sims ($2.92)
Maryna Moroz ($1.42) vs. Valerie Letourneau ($2.54)
Patrick Cote ($2.11) vs. Josh Burkman ($1.73)
Erick Silva ($1.54) vs. Neil Magny ($2.48)
