Defending light heavyweight champ Antonio Carlos Junior welcomed fellow Brazilian fighter Delan Monte to the Professional Fighters League at PFL 1 in Arlington, Texas on Wednesday.
It turned out to be a rude welcome.
A former UFC standout and TUF Brazil winner, “Shoeface” had won three of his four fights under the PFL banner in 2021, with the lone exception being a No Contest due to a ground strike. Still, he went all the way, finishing when it mattered, and claiming the million dollars at the end of the tournament.
Junior found the finish again on Wednesday night, early. Monte went right after Junior off the opening, showing little respect for the defending champ. But a right hand by Antonio Carlos Junior rocked him! Junior went right into takedown mode, and rather than try to unload ground n’ pound, he went hunting the neck — and found it. He soon had a d’arce choke wrapped up, and Monte was left with no choice but to tap.
28 Second D'Arce Choke for @caradesapatojr!
6 Points and Shoeface is back on TOP of the light heavyweight division standings!#2022PFL1 LIVE on ESPN & ESPN+
🌎 https://t.co/jPNvomkWj8 pic.twitter.com/VNPKQuXcEa— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 21, 2022
Less than thirty seconds is all it took for Junior to secure the submission win, and claim a key six points towards the playoffs.
Official Result: Antonio Carlos Junior def. Delan Monte by submission (d’arce choke), Round 1, 0:29
