Light heavyweight Billy Elekana, with just two UFC fights to his name himself, welcomed Kevin Christian to the promotion at UFC Vegas 110 on Saturday.
Brazil’s Christian entered the severely depleted 205 pound division off a win on the Contender Series, and having seen his hand raised in six straight fights.
The fight opened with both fighters trading calf kicks, each staying composed and measured at range while looking for their openings. Early on, Christian was the busier man, landing more leg kicks and keeping Elekana from finding any rhythm. Elekana seemed content to let Christian circle on the outside and absorb the damage to his lead leg. Christian began mixing in body kicks to vary his attack, but Elekana stayed patient and poised.
When the opportunity finally appeared, he capitalized — as Christian overextended on a right hand, Elekana countered clean with a right of his own, dropping him hard. Elekana quickly took the back, locked in a rear-naked choke, and although Christian initially tapped, the referee didn’t catch it, forcing him to go out cold.
Another submission victory on a card with several on the preliminary portion — with Elekana earning his second straight victory under the UFC banner.
Official Result: Billy Elekana def. Kevin Christian by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 3:33
