The co-main event of UFC Fight Night: Dodson vs. Lineker marked Will Brooks' 2nd fight inside the Octagon. The former Bellator lightweight champion faced off against Alex Oliveira, who missed weight by a whopping 5.5 pounds, making this a 161.5 lbs catchweight. Nevertheless, it was still an important fight for both men, particularly for Brooks, who was regarded in Bellator as one of the best lightweights outside of the UFC.
Oliveira pressed for the takedown in the opening minute. Then switched up to throw multiple knees to the body in the clinch. Brooks landed knees of his own, but Oliveira had the double underhooks. Oliveira was more or less locked in a stalemate, until Brooks turned the tables on the Brazilian and got the takedown with about 2 minutes to go in the 1st round. Oliveira worked his way back to his feet, and again with the underhooks. Brooks pursued the takedown and momentarily had Oliveira on the mat but he sprung up and pushed Brooks to the fence again. Hard elbows by Oliveira and then a guillotine attempt, but Brooks was never in any danger and the horn sounded.
Oliveira threw a front kick that glanced off of Brooks' face. Takedown by Brooks and into mount in just 40 seconds. Oliveira tried to buck him off, but Oliveira gave up his back as he stood back up. Brooks attempted a standing rear-naked choke but Oliveira fended it off, and then dropped off of his back. Oliveira threw some knees and took Brooks down, but Brooks was able to return to standing. Cowboy had Brooks down again and on his back with 90 seconds remaining. Brooks back to his feet again and he thumped Oliveira to the mat with a powerful slam. Another choke attempt by Brooks while backpacked on Oliveira, only for Oliveira to get himself free and slip Brooks off of him. A very tight round to score in a close fight.
Three leg kicks by Brooks in the first 15 seconds of the 3rd. Straight right may have put Brooks off-balance. Oliveira put Brooks up against the fence after the flash knockdown, and Brooks' rib injury clearly proved to be bothersome. Oliveira scored another takedown, but didn't do much damage while on top. Brooks was back to his feet but grimacing in pain. Two knees by Oliveira -- one thrown to the head and one to the chest. Another takedown by Oliveira, this time with elbows to the head and to the body. Brooks badly hurt by ground-and-pound and he took more big punches to the head. Herb Dean stopped the fight after the onslaught of strikes. Oliveira celebrated in Brooks' face, taunted him with a crotch chop, and Brooks was very upset. Brooks appeared to throw his mouthpiece at the Brazilian, who was loudly booed by the Portland fans.
Official result: Alex Oliveira def. Will Brooks via TKO (punches) at 3:30 of round 3
This is just the 2nd loss of Brooks' career, although the asterisk of Oliveira badly missing weight is at play here. Oliveira said in the post-fight interview that he will be moving up to welterweight.