Mansur Abdul-Malik vs. Antonio Trocoli was the second fight up at UFC 323 on Saturday, the final numbered event of the ESPN era for the promotion.
Trocoli was 0-2 inside the octagon and still looking for his first win in the company, though one of those fights was a short-notice showdown with the formidable Shara “Bullet” Magomedov. Abdul-Malik had two wins under the UFC banner for his part, but was coming off a draw against Cody Brundage that had originally been a win until the Georgia athletic commission overturned it.
Abdul-Malik opened the action punching his way in, with Trocoli answering via a kick. Moments later, Abdul-Malik changed levels and exploded into a double-leg takedown, landing it with apparent ease. Soon he had half-mount, then a guillotine as Trocoli stood back up. Make it to his feet, Trocoli did, escape the choke he did not. Abdul-Malik had the choke in tight, and Antonio Trocoli was soon tapping to the standing guillotine!
Following the victory, Abdul-Malik called his performance an “echo” of what he was able to do in training camp. “More dominant finishes, more wins” are what the undefeated middleweight are gunning for now, a fired-up Abdul-Malik later told UFC analyst Joe Rogan.
Official Result: Mansur Abdul-Malik def. Antonio Trocoli by submission (standing guillotine), Round 1, 1:09
