With another action-packed month of MMA in the books, MMAjunkie looks at the best fights from July 2018: Here are the five nominees, listed in chronological order, and winner of MMAjunkie’s “Fight of the Month” award for July.

At the bottom of the post, let us know if we got it right by voting on your choice.

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The Nominees

Alex Caceres def. Martin Bravo at TUF 27 Finale

For three rounds, Alex Caceres (14-11 MMA, 9-9 UFC) and Martin Bravo (11-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC) tried just about everything they could think of to hurt one another.

Both succeeded to one degree or another, but after three rounds of fighting in the bantamweight division, the judges sided with Caceres by the slimmest of margins after his battle with Bravo veered into total slobberknocker territory by the final round.

Mike Perry def. Paul Felder at UFC 226

Mike Perry (12-3 MMA, 5-3 UFC) and Paul Felder (15-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC) had lots of hype going into their welterweight bout. They delivered when they got bloody early and painted the canvas crimson over three rounds of brutal action.

The two traded elbows and punches in close, but in the end, wrestling helped Perry get the upper hand in the eyes of the judges and he took a split decision over Felder to snap his two-fight losing skid.

Raoni Barcelos def. Kurt Holobaugh at UFC Fight Night 133

Brazilian featherweight Raoni Barcelos (12-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) shined in his UFC debut when he delivered a devastating third-round TKO of Kurt Holobaugh (17-5 MMA, 0-2 UFC) in an entertaining affair.

Barcelos and Holobaugh put on the “Fight of the Night” as they traded shots for more than 11 minutes. Barcelos was content with the fight going the distance, and in the final frame he loaded up on a four-punch series of uppercuts that flattened his opponent to end the fight.

Mumia Abu Dey Ali def. Mitch Aguiar at LFA 46

A welterweight fight between Mumia Abu Dey Ali (3-1) and Mitch Aguiar (1-1) ended in 31 seconds with an absolutely stupid knockout sequence.

Although it was a short-lived affair, Ali and Aguiar provided more action in that space than many 15 or 25-minute fights. They showed little defense as they winged haymakers, scored knockdowns and then delivered a highlight-reel finish when Ali put Auigar out cold with punches.

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John Makdessi def. Ross Pearson at UFC on FOX 30

John Makdessi (16-6 MMA, 9-6 UFC) couldn’t put Ross Pearson (20-15 MMA, 12-12 UFC) away, but left him a bloody mess in a fun 15-minute brawl.

Makdessi took a unanimous decision from Pearson with scores of 30-26, 29-27 and 29-28 in the lightweight bout. The Canadian used a superior mix of offense that revolved around a slick jab. Pearson was lost and unable to find a consistent groove, giving Makdessi the w in the “Fight of the Night.”

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The Winner: Raoni Barcelos vs. Kurt Holobaugh

Barcelos was uppercut hunting all fight, and he finally got one to land with enough force to put Holobaugh out.

Barcelos had a big UFC debut with a TKO of Holobaugh at the 1:29 mark of the third round. Holobaugh had survived quite a few uppercuts from the Brazilian newcomer up until a four-punch combo ended with one big right to finish things.

Holobaugh worked a leg kick early, but. Barcelos closed in and landed right hands, then an uppercut. Holobaugh tied Barcelos up looking for knees, but again Barcelos landed an uppercut. The two traded punches with Barcelos continuing to want a home for the uppercut. Holobaugh landed a right hand, but Barcelos ducked under for an easy takedown. Holobaugh tried an armbar, but on the ensuing scramble Barcelos wrapped up his head.

Holobaugh got back to his feet late in the round and looked for a home for his uppercut. When he shot for a takedown late, Barcelos grabbed his neck and had a late guillotine attempt, but Holobaugh was saved by the horn.

As they approached two minutes into the second round, Barcelos landed a takedown. Holobaugh recovered to guard, but found himself defending from an arm-triangle choke. Barcelos worked for a front choke, but Holobaugh got back to his feet and landed a counter right. A perfect trip takedown landed for Barcelos with 100 seconds left and he started working punches from up top.

Barcelos tried a spinning kick with 45 seconds left after landing more uppercuts, but Holobaugh took his back and tried to make something work with 45 seconds left. He landed punches late, but not likely enough to salvage the round.

In the third, Barcelos landed a left, then a right, another right, and with Holobaugh stumbling backward, one big uppercut put Holobaugh on the canvas. Barcelos didn’t need to move in for any follow-ups when Herb Dean shut things down.

“I am thrilled with the fight,” Barcelos said. “I have dreamed of being in the UFC and to win like this is unbelievable. I want to stay in the UFC forever, and you have to put on a show to do that. … I am new to the UFC, so I want to take things step by step. My goal is to fight better competition with each fight.”