Matt Sayles picked up the first submission win of his career with a third-round head and arm choke against Kyle Nelson at UFC Ottawa.
Kyle Nelson is coming off a loss to Carlos Diego Ferreira in what was a short-notice promotional debut last December. The Canadian was 12-1 before signing with the UFC with a win over former Ultimate Fighter winner Jonathan Brookins. Of his 12 career victories, four are by knockout and four are by submission. Check out our interview with Nelson here.
Matt Sayles also fell in his promotional debut, dropping a decision to Sheymon Moraes in August. Sayles fought his way to the UFC through Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series, winning by TKO in just under two minutes. The Californian trains at Alliance MMA amongst fighters like Dominick Cruz, Jeremy Stephens, etc., and has knockouts in six of his seven victories.
Round 1
Sayles opens the action with an inside kick but gets blasted by a shot from Nelson. He regroups well and goes back to kicking Nelson’s legs several times. The Canadian slides into the pocket and hits Sayles with an overhand. He slides back in again but tastes a combination from Sayles.
They exchange big shots and Nelson briefly falls to the ground. Both guys are throwing hard! Sayles buckles Nelson’s leg. The DWTNCS backs up with foe with a right hand. He catches a kick from Nelson, but Nelson turns and stumbles out of the takedown. Sayles runs and throws a flying kick to Nelson’s gut.
Back in the center, Nelson is floored by a shot. Sayles charges at him and fires off tons of ground and pound. Nelson drops down for an ankle but eats a bunch of shots from the American. Sayles looks at the referee hoping he will stop the fight, but the Canadian uses the opportunity to roll for a kneebar, he switches to a toe hold but can’t lock it up. Sayles spins to the back of Nelson and fires off some really big shots. Nelson continually rolls away from the damage as the round ends but eats a bunch of punches.
Huge round for Sayles!
Cageside Press scored the round 10-8 Sayles
Round 2
Nelson takes the center and Sayles goes back to chopping the legs. The Canadian misses a takedown attempt and is cracked with a right hand. Nelson shoots in on a takedown but in a scramble finds a guillotine. He tries to grab the sub, but Sayles breaks free.
Back in the center, Sayles goes on the offense once again with several leg kicks. Nelson shoots in on a takedown and finally gets Sayles down. He tries to work to his feet but gives up his back in the process. The Canadian locks both hooks in and pulls Sayles on top of him. He starts looking for a choke, but Sayles defends the hands well. Suddenly he finds the opening and locks the rear naked choke in. Sayles looks in trouble. Somehow, Sayles breaks the lock and spends the remainder of the round defending the submission attempt.
Nice bounce-back round for Nelson.
Cageside Press scored the round 10-9 for Nelson.
Round 3
Nelson hits Sayles with a right hand and gets counter with an uppercut. He marches forward and shoots on a takedown. Sayles sprawls out and attempts a guillotine but Nelson defends it well. Nelson attempts an ugly takedown which Sayles easily dodges.
They exchange right hands. Nelson shoots in on a takedown once again which is blocked. Back on the feet, Sayles hits Nelson with a grazing spinning elbow. They exchange right hands and Nelson shoots in deep on Sayles’ hips.
He presses the DWTNCS alumni against the cage, but can’t get him down. They break and the American opens up with some shots. Nelson shoots in on a bad takedown and in a scramble, Sayles takes the mount. Sayles locks in a head and arm choke. He squeezes and Nelson is forced to tap out.
Matt Sayles def. Kyle Nelson by submission (head and arm choke) in Round 3 (3:16)
That's it!
Matt Sayles gets the late 3rd-round sub at #UFCOttawa on enemy soil! pic.twitter.com/XU9QN121Rq
— UFC (@ufc) May 4, 2019
