Former UFC headliner 'Cowboy' Oliveira knocked out in bareknuckle debut in Russia
Former UFC headliner Alex "Cowboy" Oliveira faced a brutal setback in his bareknuckle boxing debut, suffering a first-round TKO loss against Igor Ionov at a REN TV Fight Club event in Russia on Friday. Oliveira, known for his action-packed fights during his UFC tenure, was knocked down twice in the opening round, leading to a stoppage. The Brazilian fighter appeared visibly shaken after the defeat, even attempting to adjust his nose, which seemed to have been broken during the bout.
Oliveira, who made his name in the UFC for his wild brawling style and willingness to take on all challengers, had a promising start to his MMA career. After securing a 3-1 record in his initial UFC fights, he headlined UFC Fight Night 83 in 2016 against fellow fan-favorite "Cowboy" Donald Cerrone. Though Oliveira was submitted in the first round, he bounced back impressively, going on a 6-1 run that included several thrilling performances and earning him three post-fight bonus awards.
However, Oliveira's career took a downturn starting in October 2020 when he faced rising star Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 254. He was submitted in the first round, marking the beginning of a four-fight losing streak in the UFC, with three of those losses coming via stoppage. Following this rough patch, the UFC parted ways with Oliveira in 2022.
Since leaving the UFC, Oliveira has been competing in regional MMA promotions, where his results have been mixed. He managed to secure three first-round TKO victories, showcasing his trademark knockout power, but he also suffered four stoppage losses, further signaling the difficulties he's faced in recent years. This loss to Ionov in his bareknuckle debut marks Oliveira’s third consecutive defeat across combat sports, a worrying trend for the 36-year-old veteran.
Despite the setback, Oliveira’s fighting spirit and history of resilience suggest he may continue to compete in combat sports, though the path forward may be uncertain as he navigates this tough period in his career.
