Sherdog.com’s 2015 Upset of the Year

3. Teddy Holder vs. Thiago Silva
World Series of Fighting 19 “Gaethje vs. Palomino”
Saturday, March 28
Comerica Theatre | Phoenix
Tennessee has never been known as a mixed martial arts hot bed, but the Volunteer State nevertheless gave rise to Teddy Holder.

Holder sprang the upset in the World Series of Fighting light heavyweight tournament semifinals at WSOF 19 on March 28 at the Comerica Theatre in Phoenix, as he disposed of Ultimate Fighting Championship washout Thiago Silva with first-round punches and hammerfists. Silva, who had authored past victories over Rafael Cavalcante, Keith Jardine and Houston Alexander, wilted 2:00 into round one, his organizational debut spoiled in surprising fashion.

“Man, I’m excited,” Holder told MMAFighting.com. “I’m holding it in right now -- they’re saying I have to go to the hospital and get checked out -- but all in all, man, I’m just jumping for joy inside right now. It was a big opportunity and I’m glad I seized the moment.”

Holder walked through the Brazilian’s kicks and fired short, crisp punches in combination. Silva staggered him with a right hand, but the Tennessean recovered quickly and responded in kind. Holder leveled the Blackzilians rep with a right hook, jumped into top position and closed the deal on the ground. He remained gracious in victory.

“I went to Silva and I was like, ‘You know, you’re a legend, man,’” Holder said. “You’ve got to give him his props. He is who he is. I told him it was a big honor to fight him, and it really was. I have the utmost respect for Silva. He definitely hit me harder than anybody else has, so hats off to him and I hope he bounces back off of this, stays in World Series of Fighting and does good.”

Holder went on to lose to David Branch in the tournament final six months later.

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