It wasn't the main event anyone wanted or expected, but after injuries to Stipe Miocic and a concussion suffered by Joe Duffy, Patrick Holohan and Louis Smolka got bumped to the main event at UFC Fight Night 76 on Saturday afternoon (October 24, 2015).
And both flyweights did not disappoint.
Smolka submitted Holohan with a rear-naked choke in the second round to cap off a wild and entertaining contest inside 3Arena. A fight that was really an explosive and high-level chess match on the ground between the two skilled grapplers.
The official stoppage came at 4:09 of the second round.
The opening frame was a high-paced back-and-forth grappling battle between the two flyweights. "Da Last Samurai" attacked with a D'arce and Holohan attempted a guillotine and then briefly took Smolka's back. In between were rolls and scrambles galore. "Hooligan" attempted a heel hook and then Smolka answered with an ankle lock attempt.
Hollohan went in a on a single and Smolka defended with a switch. The action was nonstop.
The 27-year-old Dublin native landed a takedown on Smolka early on in the second and got both hooks in as the crowd roared in his favor. The Hawaiian escaped the body triangle and spun around to top position. He then attacked with a standing guillotine, but Hollohan did not wilt and escaped the submission.
Soon after, the 24-year-old poured it on from on top of Holohan with big strikes. Once he had the Irishman hurt he transitioned into mount and began to wail away with big strikes. Holohan then gave up his back and Smolka locked up the fight-ending rear-naked choke to force the tap.
WIth his fifth career submission, Smolka picks up his 10th career victory and is now 4-1 in the UFC. Holohan falls to 12-2-1 overall and is now 4-1 in the UFC. The rear-naked choke loss to Holohan is the first time "Hooligan" has been finished in his career.
For complete UFC Fight Night 76 "Holohan vs. Smolka" results, including play-by-play, click here.