After an extended layoff, flyweight Juancamilo Ronderos returned to action at UFC Vegas 69 on Saturday night. Kicking off the Fight Night card, Ronderos welcomed undefeated newcomer Clayton Carpenter to the promotion.
Carpenter had won his way into the big show as part of last year’s Dana White’s Contender Series season.
To start round one there was a big exchange with strikes landing from both fighters. Carpenter threw a head kick next, and Ronderos responded with a takedown. From inside Carpenter’s guard, Ronderos landed a couple of lefts, to the body and head.
Out of nowhere Carpenter threw up a triangle and switched to an armbar. It was tight and the angle was nasty, but Ronderos escaped, allowing Carpenter to manage to sweep Ronderos with the submission attempt. Off his back, Ronderos tried to explode but allowed Carpenter to take the back. It was not too long being on the back until Clayton Carpenter sunk in the rear-naked choke, and Ronderos tapped!
RELENTLESS EFFORT! 💪
Clayton Carpenter with an impressive submission W in his Octagon debut! #UFCVegas69 pic.twitter.com/njPPIt5DXv
— UFC (@ufc) February 18, 2023
Carpenter improves to 7-0 with the victory. He has two head kick KOs in that run, and now three submissions. As far as his debut outing is concerned, Carpentered called it “picturesque” following the win. He’s not wrong.
Official Result: Clayton Carpenter def. Juancamilo Ronderos by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 3:13
