Mark Choinski, an undefeated Anthony Pettis FC lightweight champ, made his octagon debut on short notice at UFC 316, facing Marquel Mederos in preliminary card action.
Choinski had initially been booked opposite Bellator alum Zach Zane on the regional circuit next week, while Mederos had been lined up for a fight with Bolaji Oki at the end of May. Their paths instead brought them to a collision on Saturday, on a card headlined by the rematch between Merab Dvalishvili and “Suga” Sean O’Malley.
Round 1 Mederos came out ready to go taking the middle of the octagon and forcing Choinski to the outside. He began to pepper Choinski with leg kicks, calf kicks, and some slick boxing up top.
Choinski was on the back foot for the majority of the round and so he shot in for a takedown. Mederos was able to defend it, but Choinski jumped on his back becoming a back pack. He threatened the rear-naked choke, but Mederos was able to force Choinski off his back. Mederos finished the round continuing to pepper Choinski with calf kicks and jabs.
Round 2 Choinski came out knowing he needed to establish something in this round and earn some respect. Mederos wasn’t about to give it to him as he came out even more confident than the first round.
Mederos got fancy with his technique choosing to jump in the air, throw a right hand, then landed a calf kick on the way down. Choinski decided he had enough and shot in for just his second takedown attempt of the fight. No good.
Choinski’s calf was destroyed so badly that Mederos dropped him twice with calf kicks. A quick takedown helped Choinski out for a few seconds as he took the back, but he couldn’t keep the position.
Another calf kick dropped Choinski and at the end of the round his team must have been wondering how much he had left.
Round 3 Choinski came out aggressive, but he couldn’t do much with the lead calf destroyed by this round. Mederos dropped him with another calf kick and then stomped on the calf.
Choinski might have been the toughest human being in the building as he gritted his teeth and went at Mederos. Mederos stayed mobile continuing to land on Choinski at will. Choinski looked to take the fight to the ground again, but just wasn’t able to do much with it.
With just over 90 seconds left in the fight Choinski scored a crucial takedown and landed right into mount. Mederos fought to keep his posture broken and control the position from the bottom. Choinski hunted submission as best as he could, but he ran out of time.
Choinski lost his 0 and Mederos continued his win streak.
Official Result: MarQuel Mederos def. Mark Choinski via Unanimous Decision (30-27×2, 29-28)
