Sherdog.com’s 2014 Round of the Year

2. Charles Oliveira vs. Hatsu Hioki -- Round 2
UFC Fight Night “Te Huna vs. Marquardt”
June 28 | Auckland, New Zealand

It is only fitting that it would take an innovative grappling ace such as Oliveira to hand fellow black belt Hioki the first submission defeat of his 37-bout professional tenure. That he did so in such a stylish manner -- and in such a back-and-forth frame -- made it all that much sweeter.

Few fights in 2014 displayed the high-level jiu-jitsu that Oliveira and Hioki showcased in their showdown at UFC Fight Night in Auckland, New Zealand, in June. For nearly two rounds, the featherweights engaged in a duel of takedowns, transitions, guard passes and submission attempts.

The second stanza in particular showcased the strengths of both men, but it was Oliveira’s ability to transition from a position of peril to one of dominance in a matter of moments that ultimately made the difference. After a competitive first few minutes that saw a couple brief but furious exchanges on the feet and a leg lock attempt from “Do Bronx” that only drew a smile from his Japanese opponent, Hioki appeared to take control. The former Shooto champion turned the tables on an attempted body-lock takedown, utilizing outstanding balance to wind up in top position. He stayed busy from there, landing hammerfists and punches while maintaining his base through leg lock, triangle and guillotine attempts from his foe, though not all of these registered as official submission tries, according to FightMetric.com. Eventually, Hioki was able to pass to side control and then full mount.

That prompted the Brazilian to surrender his back as Hioki hunted for the rear-naked choke. Oliveira was able to shake off his man, and Hioki was left to desperately try for an armbar, which “Do Bronx” also avoided. When Hioki attempted to roll into a takedown, Oliveira responded by securing a figure-four anaconda grip, jumping guard and trapping his foe by sinking his legs over Hioki’s arms. In a matter of moments, Hioki was forced to concede surrender for the first time ever.

“I came to take risks in all areas, standing up and on the ground,” Oliveira told Sherdog.com through a translator. “We had great transitions on the ground, and I ended up finishing the fight in the position that I like the most.”

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