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UFC 318 fighter stunned fans with walk-off knockout in memorable debut

"Lok Dog" will try to continue an unbeaten start to his UFC career in New Orleans.
Drew Beaupre|
(Zuffa LLC)

One UFC 318 fighter arrived in the promotion last year with one of the more memorable Octagon debuts in recent memory.

Scheduled to take place at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, LA, the main event of UFC 318 will see Dustin Poirier compete for the final time when he and Max Holloway meet in a trilogy bout for Holloway’s “BMF” title.

The night’s main card also features a number of standout fights with significant implications for several UFC divisions, and the prelims will close out with a bantamweight bout that could potentially take home “Fight of the Night” honors.

Max Holloway (red gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (blue gloves) during UFC 236 at State Farm Arena.
Max Holloway (red gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (blue gloves) during UFC 236 at State Farm Arena. | John David Mercer-Imagn Images

Vinicius Oliveira's Jaw-Dropping UFC Debut

Respectively ranked at #12 and #15 in the bantamweight rankings, Kyler Phillips and Vinicius Oliveira will compete in the featured prelim for UFC 318 immediately before the PPV main card kicks off.

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The fight is the only bantamweight matchup scheduled for UFC 318. Phillips has been plying his trade in the Octagon since 2020, but Oliveira only made his UFC debut last year when he stopped Benardo Sopaj with an incredible flying knee at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas.

Kyler Phillips Looks To Derail Hype Train In New Orleans

Oliveira had previously scored a first-round knockout against Victor Madrigal to earn a UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series, and after stopping Sopaj the Brazilian now boasts 16 wins via KO/TKO out of his 22 pro wins.

Ricky Simon (red gloves) fights Vinicius Oliveira (blue gloves) during UFC 303 at T-Mobile Arena.
Ricky Simon (red gloves) fights Vinicius Oliveira (blue gloves) during UFC 303 at T-Mobile Arena. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

“Lok Dog” proved he’s far more than just a knockout artist with back-to-back unanimous decisions over Ricky Simon and Said Nurmagomedov in his last two outings, and now he has the chance to climb the bantamweight rankings at UFC 318 against Phillips.

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A veteran of eight UFC bouts, Phillips boasts a win over current #5-ranked UFC bantamweight contender Song Yadong and was riding the momentum of three-straight victories before he dropped a decision to Rob Font in his last outing in October.

Kyler Phillips (blue gloves) fights Pedro Munhoz (red gloves) during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center.
Kyler Phillips (blue gloves) fights Pedro Munhoz (red gloves) during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

The American has a pair of “Fight of the Night” bonuses to his name already. Oliveira earned the same honors in his last win over Nurmagomedov, so fans will want to make sure they’re watching closely when the two bantamweights close out the preliminary portion of UFC 318 on Saturday night.

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Drew Beaupre
DREW BEAUPRE

Drew is an MMA writer that regularly watches regional events in addition to major promotions such as the UFC, PFL, Bellator, and ONE Championship. He joined MMA Knockout when it was founded in 2023.

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