Clayton Carpenter and Lucas Rocha kicked off UFC Vegas 98 in a flyweight scrap, on a night where the UFC’s smallest weight class was poised for big things.
Earlier in the day, the promotion had announced that RIZIN FF champ Kai Asakura, recently signed by the company, would get a title shot in his debut, at UFC 310 opposite champ Alexandre Pantoja. Asakura’s countryman Tatsuro Taira, an undefeated flyweight, headlined the UFC Vegas 98 card against Brandon Royval, meanwhile. And another big 125lb signing was also debuting later in the evening, that being Ramazan Temirov.
As for Rocha and Carpenter, Contender Series winner Rocha was making his promotional debut against the 1-0 Carpenter.
In Saturday’s Carpenter vs. Rocha, the opening round got underway and Rocha was already landing his right hand. He was letting it go early with combinations going to the body as well. He had Carpenter respond with a right of his own and a lead uppercut. Carpenter slowed it down in an action-packed striking fight with a nicely timed double leg. Carpenter would pass to half guard and before that cut Rocha above the eye with an elbow.
Rocha was flat on his back, but letting Carpenter advance, and was stuck there. Eventually, Rocha worked to his knees but Carpenter adjusted and went right back into half-guard. Carpenter was busy enough causing another cut under the opposite eye. Rocha was never able to get back to his feet.
In round two Rocha landed a flying knee that would have Carpenter shooting but from too far our. Carpenter would land three straight kicks to the body before completing a takedown. Rocha attempted to spring back up but Carpenter jumped on the back with the body triangle in. Carpenter would get the rear-naked choke fully locked in and although Rocha would defend he eventually went to sleep.
Official Result: Clayton Carpenter def. Lucas Rocha by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 2, 2:12
