Oliveira, Knight, Henrique victorious on UFC on FOX 20 early prelims
Alex Oliveira def. James Moontasri via unanimous decision
Alex Oliveira made James Moontasri's striking a non-factor, grinding his way to a unanimous decision victory on Saturday.
Oliveira smothered Moontasri against the cage and on the ground for the better part of their three-round bout. He did most of his damage up close, throwing short elbows and knees to the body - one of which caught Moontasri low, resulting in a lull in the proceedings during the first round.
The Brazilian avoided the barnburner befitting he and Moontasri's skill sets, but redeemed his February loss to the other "Cowboy," Donald Cerrone, to move to 15-3-1-1. Moontasri fell to 9-4 with the loss.
Jason Knight def. Jim Alers via split decision
Questionable scorecard aside, Jason Knight made his first UFC victory an emphatic one, earning a split decision over Jim Alers.
Knight was looking for a slugfest from the opening bell, dropping his hands and daring Alers to swing several times. The Mississippi product flaunted his crisp striking, pushing the pace and getting the better of the standup exchanges for the first two rounds. Alers spent most of the fight countering and looking for takedowns, keeping Knight on his back long enough to win the third.
The 24-year-old Knight moved to 14-2, while Alers hasn't won a fight since April of 2014.
Luis Henrique def. Dmitrii Smoliakov via 2nd-round submission (rear-naked choke)
Luis Henrique gave Dmitrii Smoliakov a rude welcome to the UFC.
Henrique defeated the newcomer via rear-naked choke in the second round of their heavyweight bout, avenging the KO loss he suffered at the hands of Francis Ngannou in his UFC debut last December.
Smoliakov had never been past the first round in his eight professional fights, and looked terribly sluggish to start the second. Henrique showed respect for his foe's striking, opting to take Smoliakov down and rely on his ground-and-pound skills. The Belarus native gave up his back in the second and covered up, praying for a way out before Henrique's hammerfists gave him the opening to sink the choke in.
Henrique moved to 9-2 with the victory.