BJJ expert Vinny Magalhaes did what Vinny Magalhaes does at PFL 6 2019, forcing Rakim Cleveland to tap to a slickly set up arm-bar.
Vinny Magalhaes was the favorite in last year’s light heavyweight tournament, right up until he ran into Sean O’Connell. In 2019, things went from bad to worse, as Magalhaes was finished in his season opener against Emiliano Sordi. Thursday night in Atlantic City, NJ, at PFL 6 2019, it was do or die for Magalhaes against Rakim Cleveland. The bout was a rematch from the pair’s post-season meeting last year.
It was a key fight for Magalhaes, who really was one of the best light heavyweights in the PFL. He made the most of things on Thursday, however, in a fight that could not have gone better for the BJJ expert.
The pair started out swinging. Magalhaes fired a high kick. He tried to grab a leg in a risky move, but was forced to let it go, lest he open himself up to a knockout blow. Another high kick by Vinny followed. Magalhaes would eventually secure the takedown, and work to isolate an arm, then move to side control. From there, he expertly set up an arm-bar, wrenching the limb back. Cleveland was forced to tap, and Magalhaes had a much-needed six points!
Vinny Magalhaes def. Rashid Cleveland by submission (arm-bar), Round 1, 1:56
