MMA Match Preview: Kyler Phillips (12-3) vs. Vinicius Oliveira (22-3)

Fight Details

Event: UFC 318: Holloway vs. Poirier 3

Date: Saturday, July 19, 2025

Time: 6:00 PM ET (Preliminary Card)

Venue: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, Louisiana

Weight Class: Bantamweight (135 lbs / 61.2 kg)

Fight Order: Preliminary Card (Fight 9 of 14)

Fighter Breakdown

Fighter	Kyler Phillips	Vinicius Oliveira
Nickname	“The Matrix”	“Lok Dog”
Record	12-3-0	22-3-0
Age	30	29
Height	5’8″ (173 cm)	5’9″ (175 cm)
Reach	72″ (183 cm)	70.5″ (179 cm)
Gym	MMA Lab	Sombra Team MMA
Nationality	USA	Brazil

Phillips is known for his dynamic striking and unpredictable movement, earning his nickname “The Matrix.”

Oliveira brings a more aggressive style, with a 73% KO ratio and a five-fight win streak, including victories over Said Nurmagomedov and Ricky Simon.

Recent Form & Momentum

Kyler Phillips – Last 5 Fights

Loss vs. Rob Font (Oct 2024)

Win vs. Pedro Munhoz (Mar 2024)

Win vs. Raoni Barcelos (Aug 2023)

Win vs. Marcelo Rojo (Feb 2022)

Loss vs. Raulian Paiva (Jul 2021)

Vinicius Oliveira – Last 5 Fights

Win vs. Said Nurmagomedov (Feb 2025)

Win vs. Ricky Simon (Jun 2024)

Win vs. Bernardo Sopaj (Mar 2024)

Win vs. Yanis Ghemmouri (Mar 2024)

Win vs. Felipe Colares (Dec 2023)

Oliveira enters UFC 318 with undeniable momentum, while Phillips looks to rebound from a tough loss and reassert his place in the top 15.

Key Matchup Factors

Striking: Phillips is elusive and creative, but Oliveira’s power and pressure could overwhelm if he closes distance early.

Grappling: Phillips has solid BJJ fundamentals, but Oliveira’s takedown defense and ground-and-pound are underrated.