Having overcome her latest battle with injury, The Ultimate Fighter 23 winner Tatiana Suarez returned to action after a three-year plus absence at UFC Vegas 70.
Welcoming her back to action — up a weight class at flyweight, though Suarez had a strawweight return planned — was Montana De La Rosa.
Right off the opening bell, Suarez and De La Rosa came together in a clinch. From there, they moved to the fence, Suarez driving De La Rosa up against it. When they went to the ground, De La Rosa nearly had control, but had to defend with a guillotine, and when Suarez popped free, she was right where she wanted to be.
De La Rosa kept her guard closed, and scooted back to the fence. Suarez had a body lock on for a bit, and hooked her leg through De La Rosa’s to control her. But De La Rosa managed to wall-walk up, though Suarez stayed right on her. When Suarez got her hands locked, it looked like a big double leg takedown or slam might be pending. But she couldn’t keep her hands clasped, and had to settle for landing punches to the thigh.
It was about 90 seconds into round two when Montana De La Rosa was once again on her back. Suarez was able to transition to the back, but De La Rosa found just enough space to scramble up, driving Suarez into the cage. Suarez then locked up a guillotine and pulled guard! The choke was in tight, and while De La Rosa fought it as long as she could, it wasn’t long before the tap came!
SHE MAKES GOOD ON THE RETURN!!!!
Submission finish for @TatianaUFC 😤 #UFCVegas70 pic.twitter.com/VWRMKcyZvs
— UFC (@ufc) February 26, 2023
It will likely be back to strawweight from here, but the important thing for Tatiana Suarez was just getting back, getting time in the cage, and getting the win. That first step behind her, things are looking up for the TUF champ.
Official Result: Tatiana Suarez def. Montana De La Rosa by submission (guillotine choke), Round 2, 2:51
