It was in one of the most beautiful upsets in the history of mixed martial arts in which former collegiate wrestling superstar Jordan Oliver required only 87 seconds to defeat the best in the welterweight category, Rafael “The Bulldog” Moreira and proclaim himself as a fully legitimate challenger to the MMA title. The shocking conclusion was the main event of the WOW FC 306 on Saturday night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and immediately, it became the most viewed video on all combat sports sites.
Figure to Hype: Oliver Delivers on Massive Hype
Jordan Oliver, the NCAA champion in 2021 and four-time Oklahoma State All-American in wrestling, who had a 6-0 professional record, had no prior experience in MMA, yet many people continued to doubt whether his high-level wrestling would work against experienced MMA fighters.
These were the questions that were erased in the crushing style as the 29-year-old American crushed a hermetic twister submission on Moreira, a Brazilian black belt jiu-jitsu practitioner who is widely believed to be one of the most dangerous grapplers in the division.
The battle commenced with Moreira strutting confidently as he came behind a stiff jab, aiming definitely to check the striking defence of Oliver. Following the consumption of a stiff left hand, the Brazilian attempted to shoot a reactive takedown after thirty seconds. That was a disastrous step. At full length, Oliver sprawled, switched behind Moreira in the scramble and leapt at once upon his back.
As the crowd screamed, Oliver flattened the veteran, ran his arm under the chin, and got hold of the body triangle. Moreira struggled desperately with the hands, but with the squeeze of Oliver, there was no end. It was at 1:27 of the first round that the tap was delivered, and it created shockwaves throughout the arena.
Post-Fight Explosion: I’m Just Getting Started
When referee Marc Goddard stopped the fight, Oliver jumped to his feet and completed his usual backflip off the cage, celebrating, as promised, during fight week.
During the post-fight interview with Joe Rogan, a sobbing Oliver took the microphone and stated that everybody said wrestling would not work on the top level. I have just taken less than a minute to make a BJJ black belt tap. To Rafael, however, the respect is put on leave. I’m coming for that belt next.”
The win elevated Oliver to 7-0 with five finishes and moved him overnight to the fifth round of the WOW FC welterweight rankings. The incumbent champion, Kai Yoshida, who was cageside to provide analysis to the broadcast, stood up and applauded the performance as soon as it was over, and then tweeted, That kid is special. See you soon.”
Moreira Left Speechless Defeat
Rafael Moreira, who came in on a six-fight win streak and was ranked by most as the proper next title challenger, sat on the canvas several minutes following the stoppage. The Brazilian man later aged 31 years, informed the reporters through a translator that he had no excuses. He was the better man tonight. It was the tightest squeeze of all I ever had. Congratulations to Jordan.”
The defeat broke the streak of Moreira and was the first occasion in his 22-fight career that he had been subdued.
Instant Classic Joins MMA History Books
The clip of the twister performed by Oliver had gathered millions of views within minutes of the finish on social media. Both former champions of the UFC, Daniel Cormier and Khabib Nurmagomedov, shared comments on the change from wrestling to MMA, with Cormier saying that it was textbook. Jordan Oliver has given a warning to the whole division of 170 pounds.
The fans of fights swiftly drew parallels between the ending and the classic submission by such legends as Demian Maia and Fabricio Werdum, yet the speed and supremacy over such high-ranking competitors made the performance of Oliver one to be remembered.
DOW FC president Elena Vasquez affirmed during the post-event news conference that Oliver will get another title match with Yoshida in early 2026, possibly in Madison Square Garden, New York City.
The New American Superstar
Saturday night made Jordan Oliver a highly praised prospect into an undisputed superstar. His freakish athleticism, the level of wrestling, and his quickly growing striking prowess have been compared to the performance of Hall of Famers such as Georges St-Pierre and Kamaru Usman during their initial UFC careers.
With the world of combat sports still divining one of the highest profile submissions in the shortest time possible, one thing is definite: Jordan Oliver has entered the world, and the welterweight division will never be the same.
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