SASKATOON – A rarely seen injury forced a premature end to Sunday’s UFC Fight Night 74 headliner.

In a heavily anticipated main event between two top-10 featherweights, Charles Oliveira (20-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) lasted just a few minutes before he was forced to quit fighting and suffered a TKO loss to Max Holloway (14-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC) due an injury.

While the fighter was clearly hurt, the exact nature of the injury wasn’t immediately clear. However, a UFC PR official, as well as Dr. Jeff Davidson, a UFC medical consultant who worked the event, today told MMAjunkie that Oliveira suffered a micro-tear of his esophagus in the fight.

The FOX Sports 1-televised headliner, which took place at SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, concluded after just 99 seconds when Holloway escaped a takedown attempt. Afterward, it was clear Oliveira was injured, and when Holloway moved in, referee Herb Dean waved off the bout.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZR59Kddv-Y

“Charles was immediately transported to the hospital,” Tom Wright, the UFC’s managing director for operations in Canada, Australia and New Zealand, said at the post-event press conference immediately after the show. “He was alert. He is able to move all his extremities. We’re waiting for any updates we get, and as soon as we get them, we’ll be able to tell you.”

A timetable wasn’t given for Oliveira’s recovery. However, if not treated immediately, esophagus tears can be life-threatening conditions since they can allow “food or fluids to leak into the chest and cause severe lung problems,” according to Cedars Sinai. Oliveira is expected to remain in Canada for a few days of tests and rest.

Immediately after the fight, UFC commentators mentioned the possibility of Oliveira suffering a pinched nerve or a shoulder injury during the bout. The Brazilian subsequently told MMAFighting.com he entered the fight with an existing neck injury.

Although the matchup would seem a possible rematch candidate, after the fight, Holloway campaigned for a fight with Frankie Edgar or interim champ Conor McGregor.

For more on UFC Fight Night 74, check out the UFC Events section of the site.