Jordan “The Monkey King” Leavitt made a triumphant return to the octagon at UFC Vegas 107, defeating Kurt Holobaugh with a devastating anaconda choke that rendered his opponent unconscious.
The lightweight preliminary card matchup showcased Leavitt’s grappling expertise from the outset. After executing a powerful suplex to bring Holobaugh to the canvas early in the contest, Leavitt wasted no time in securing the anaconda choke—a technique that proved impossible for Holobaugh to escape.
As the choke tightened, Holobaugh faded into unconsciousness, prompting the referee to check his arm before officially waving off the bout.
This victory comes at a crucial time for Leavitt, who had been absent from competition since his defeat to Chase Hooper in 2023. Some observers may have written off Leavitt following consecutive losses to Paddy Pimblett and Hooper, but Saturday’s performance served as a potent reminder of his capabilities.
“I think I’m a fighter,” Leavitt stated simply during his post-fight interview, a modest assessment that belies the skill he demonstrated in the octagon.
With this win, Leavitt improves his UFC record to 5-3, reestablishing himself as a formidable competitor in the lightweight division.
For Holobaugh, the defeat continues a challenging run. Despite winning The Ultimate Fighter 31 at lightweight in 2023, he has struggled to find consistency, falling to 1-3 in his last four outings. This marks another setback in what is his third stint with the UFC, having secured just a single victory since his TUF triumph.
