Rafael Alves was in a better spot Saturday, having made the lightweight limit for his scrap with British-Congolese “Bonecrusher” Marc Diakiese at UFC Vegas 42.
In his last fight, Alves had missed the lightweight limit by a fair margin. What makes that factoid even worse, however, is that the bout against Pat Sabatini had been booked for featherweight. Alves missing the mark by 11.5lbs earlier this year set a record, and the fight was not surprisingly canceled.
Alves would be looking to make a better impression on Saturday, while Diakiese was coming off a Fight of the Night loss to Rafael Fiziev. And make an impression he did.
There was no glove touch for the pair, and when Diakiese rushed Alves and then ate a kick below the belt, there was cause for concern. Ref Mike Beltran warned the fighters to keep it clean; Alves, who had front flipped in the octagon prior to the start of the fight, likely needed the break as much as Diakiese.
The fight resumed, and Alves exploded with a combo. A high kick from Alves was blocked. Diakiese started to throw some jabs but nothing landed. Alves threw a flying knee that partially landed and then locked up a guillotine choke immediately after which Diakiese had no choice but to tap to. What a sequence!
WHAT A FINISH FOR @Rafael_TheTurn 🔥
[ #UFCVegas42 | Prelims are LIVE on @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/vrZ1028Kg5
— UFC (@ufc) November 13, 2021
Rafael Alves picked up his first UFC win in the bout, while Diakiese has now dropped two straight.
Official Result: Rafael Alves def. Marc Diakiese by submission (guillotine choke) Round 1, 1:48
