Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Matt Erickson and John Morgan

Alex Oliveira snapped skid and proved something to himself at UFC 248

LAS VEGAS – Alex Oliveira beat Max Griffin with a split decision Saturday to open up the main card at UFC 248 in Las Vegas.

Take a look inside the fight with Oliveira, who snapped a three-fight skid for his first win since September 2018.

Result: Alex Oliveira def. Max Griffin via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Updated records: Oliveira (21-8-1 MMA, 10-6 UFC), Griffin (15-8 MMA, 3-6 UFC)
Key stat: Griffin had a slight striking edge at 62-61, but Oliveira nearly doubled up on him in significant strikes at 40-23.

Oliveira on the fight’s key moment

“I know that he was feeling my kicks and when I got him down he was complaining a lot, so I know that he didn’t want to be there.”

Oliveira on the close decision

“I knew I had won the first round. I knew he had won the second one. But I know I had the third round, even though it was really tight. I was confident, but you never know until they raise your arm.”

Oliveira on what he wants next

“I proved to myself tonight that I have the capacity to be one of the best in the UFC. 2019 was a hard year for me. Thank God I started 2020 on the right foot. (UFC president) Dana (White), give me more fights.”

To hear more from Oliveira, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.