Contender Series alum Anton Turkalj made his promotional debut at UFC 279 on Saturday, taking on another DWCS vet, Jailton Almeida.
The catchweight fight (a planned 220lb affair) took place on the televised preliminary card, and found Almeida looking for his second straight win inside the octagon. Turkalj, who won his Dana White’s Contender Series appearance in July, was an undefeated 8-0 to start the night.
Almeida, who has expressed a desire to compete at both light heavyweight and heavyweight, impressed once again on Saturday in Las Vegas.
In the first round, it didn’t take Almeida long to get the double leg takedown. Quickly Turkalj was able to get to his knee and back to his feet. Only momentarily however, as Almeida slammed him right back down.
Almeida, still halfway on the back, was all over Turkalj on the mat. Turkalj did get back to his feet again only for Almeida to kick his legs out from underneath him. Eventually, Almeida moved into the mount. He went from the rear-naked choke to the arm-triangle. That didn’t work so he unloaded with punches which forced Turkalj to give up his neck. That time the rear-naked choke was tight and Turkalj tapped.
Jailton Almeida making it look easy once again! 👏 #UFC279 pic.twitter.com/c5soGtsMeM
— UFC (@ufc) September 11, 2022
Official Result: Jailton Almeida def. Anton Turkalj by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 4:27
