Joe Solecki dominated Matt Wiman in his promotional debut, landing ground-and-pound for the entirety of the 15 minutes at UFC DC.
Matt Wiman is sticking around after making his surprising return to the UFC in June. He lost to Luis Pena in what was his first taste of action since 2014 and has been with the promotion since 2006. Solecki is on the opposite end of the spectrum when it comes to experience. After appearing on the Contender Series in July and winning by first-round guillotine, Solecki will be making his promotional debut at UFC DC. The 26-year-old is 8-2 in his MMA career.
Solecki took the center of the Octagon early and the fighters traded leg kicks. Wiman pushed forward, but was swiftly taken down by Solecki. Wiman scooted to the cage in guard, but Solecki transitioned to half guard and pushed him away from the cage. He attempted to get to mount, but Wiman was wily and tough to control. Solecki was postured up with Wiman on his side and punished the vet with ground-and-pound. Solecki took the back, and while Wiman tried to stand up, Solecki pulled him down with a rear-naked choke. Wiman got out of it, but Solecki was still on his back and pounding away. Wiman was able to withstand the pressure and reached the second round.
Wiman landed an overhand right to start the round, then after an exchange of punches, Solecki took him down. Solecki popped out of a guillotine attempt and began to work from Wiman’s closed guard. Solecki got to his feet with Wiman still hanging onto his guard and started dropping bombs on Wiman. However, it wasn’t as effective as the first-round ground-and-pound. After nearly three minutes in guard, the ref stood the fighters up. Wiman had nothing to offer on the feet, and was taken down again before time expired.
A left hand from Solecki landed and Wiman closed the distance. Not long after, Solecki took him down and the exercise in futility continued. Just constant ground-and-pound that Wiman had no answer for. It turns out taking five years off from fighting is not recommended for UFC-level fighters. At the very end of the fight, Wiman reversed position and got on top, started shouting at Solecki and rubbing his face on his opponent’s. A very strange ending to a great performance.
Solecki explained that Wiman was talking trash throughout the fight, and the outburst at the end was in response to Solecki saying, “I’ll put you out of a job.”
Joe Solecki def. Matt Wiman by Unanimous Decision (30-26 x2, 30-27)
