LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 19: (L-R) Opponents Duho Choi and Bill Algeo of South Korea face off during the UFC Fight Night weigh-ins at UFC APEX on July 19, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
What was expected to be one of the most exciting bouts on the UFC Las Vegas 94 card was the featherweight bout between Doo-Ho Choi and Bill Algeo.
Choi Min-ho (14-1) was still looking for his first UFC win after taking an extended break to fulfill his mandatory military service in his native South Korea. Since his return, he’s come up against Kyle Nelson to a draw and was looking to make his presence felt at the UFC Apex.
Algeo (18-8), who also had a loss to Nelson, was hoping to repeat his win against Chay after a mixed record since joining the UFC.
In the first round, both fighters were calm until Algeo lunged for a takedown. Choi went for a Dustin Poirier-esque guillotine, but Algeo defended well. Once up, they clinched against the fence, with Choi attempting a throw on Algeo. He took his back and nearly applied a choke, but Algeo was able to press Choi’s back against the fence and assume top position.
After a minute of grappling, Choi got to his feet, but Argeo stayed on the offensive, landing a hard right punch followed by a clean spinning elbow. When Choi tried to distance himself, Argeo charged in, pushed Choi against the fence, got into top position and took him down.
Both fighters got to their feet and Algeo tried to continue attacking Choi with a takedown, but Choi landed a few knees to the head and then jumped back into the guillotine, with Algeo poking his head out to end the round.
The pace slowed considerably early in the second round, but Argeo charged in with multiple strikes while Choi carefully selected her strikes. After Choi grappled, Argeo got to his feet and landed strikes on Choi, but Argeo continued his attack.
The fight ended with a left punch from Choi, and when Algeo waved his hand at Choi, the referee stopped the fight. The left hook likely did serious damage to Algeo’s right eye, and Algeo knew it.
After the match, Choi was overcome with emotion and said he felt he had let a lot of people down, and that he was glad to have Korean Zombie in his corner, saying, “He treats me like a little brother.”
Official result: Duho Choi defeated Bill Algeo by 2nd round TKO in 3 minutes, 38 seconds.
