UFC Rochester results: Charles Oliveira wraps up Nik Lentz trilogy with second-round TKO

MMAfighting.com

Charles Oliveira may not have had much to prove against Nik Lentz, but he impressed in their third meeting anyway.

The main card of UFC Fight Night: Dos Anjos vs. Lee at Blue Cross Arena saw Oliveira and Lentz complete a trilogy of bouts dating back to June 2011. Saturday’s encounter was a lightweight affair — the other two were contested at featherweight — and just like their last meeting, Oliveira walked out with his hand raised.

This time, it was Oliveira’s striking that got the job done. In the second round, “Do Bronx” landed a straight right after catching a Lentz kick to put his opponent on his back. Referee Todd Anderson gave Lentz plenty of time to recover, but Oliveira followed with hammer fists to earn the TKO stoppage at the 2:11 mark of round two.

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Oliveira (27-8, 1 NC) has now won five straight fights and six of his last seven. With his 14th UFC finish, he moves into a tie with Anderson Silva and Vitor Belfort for the second-most finishes in UFC history behind Donald Cerrone (16). It was Oliveira’s first-ever finish by knockout in the UFC.

His record of 13 UFC submission victories would remain steady on this night as his third fight with Lentz was mostly a stand-up affair. Oliveira sliced Lentz up with elbows in round one and also scored with a glancing high front kick to Lentz’s face.

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The action then went to the ground, where Oliveira used a sweep to end the opening round in top position.

Lentz scored with a takedown early in round two and was briefly hurt by an illegal upkick, which brought to mind memories of their first meeting that ended in a no contest due to Oliveira landing illegal knees on the ground, but he was able to continue. Shortly after, the bout returned to the feet where Oliveira asserted himself and found the finishing punch.

Now 15-8 (1 NC) in the UFC and 8-3 in his current run at 155 pounds, Oliveira called for a bout with a top-five opponent afterward.

Lentz (30-10-2, 1 NC) saw a two-fight win streak snapped. He was finished for the first time since being submitted by Oliveira in their rematch back on May 30, 2015.