Bantamweight action was the second fight in at UFC Vegas 78 on Saturday, as Da’Mon Blackshear faced off with Jose Johnson.
Johnson was finally making his UFC debut after a couple of false starts, having won his way into the promotion on Dana White’s Contender Series last year. Blackshear, meanwhile, had come out victorious in his own promotional debut last time out.
The fight began with the two bantamweights slugging it out, trading blows in the centre of the Octagon. Blackshear landed a big body kick which was then returned by Johnson. Blackshear caught a kick of Johnson’s and took him down where he controlled for a few minutes while looking for a submission. Just halfway through the round, Blackshear gained control of Johnson’s back where he looked to sink in a rear-naked-choke. Da’Mon began to try and crank a twister submission as he locked his arms around the head of the debutant.
From there, he began cranking tighter and Johnson couldn’t do anything but tap. The 29-year-old was able to secure his second win in a row and now puts himself in a position where he could fight near the rankings.
Da Monster with the TWISTER!!!! 🌪️🌪️🌪️
Da’Mon Blackshear gets the sub in R1! #UFCVegas78 pic.twitter.com/y6mbpUWSAX
— UFC (@ufc) August 12, 2023
Originally Blackshear was scheduled to face off with Brady Hiestand, but Hiestand pulled out of the bout due to staph infection. It is unlikely that the UFC will re-book these two bantamweights again due to Da’Mon Blackshear looking increasingly impressive with each outing.
The last twister submission in the UFC came care of Bryce Mitchell in 2019.
Official Result: Da’Mon Blackshear def. Jose Johnson by submission (twister), Round 1, 3:47
