Featherweight Yadier del Valle had the unfortunate distinction of being the man who beat Isaac Dulgarian back in November, a submission win in a bout that Dulgarian was accused of throwing.
Investigations ensued, Dulgarian was banished by the UFC, and though del Valle has never been accused of any wrongdoing, he’d no doubt like to put it all behind him, and has a chance to do so against a respectable opponent in Jordan Leavitt at UFC Houston.
To open the fight, Leavitt landed a quick double-leg, scoring about a minute of control before Del Valle was struck in the groin while working back to his feet. Following a pause in action, the UFC veteran continued to force his will upon the less experienced Del Valle, ultimately finding the fight back on the ground in full guard. Leavitt threatened with a heel hook at the end of the round, but it was more of an exclamation on a clear 10-9 for the Las Vegas native.
Round two was more of the same for “The Monkey King,” this time finding some success with a few front kicks up the middle before again bringing Yadier Del Valle to the ground with a takedown. Del Valle was able to reverse transition into a submission attempt from the bottom, but Leavitt was able escape, returning to his dominant before another break in the action arose following an attempt to push off his opponent by Yadier Del Valle, landing a knee to the grounded Leavitt. Leavitt remained in top control position following the stoppage, again throwing up another heel hook submission as time expired.
Up a likely 2-0, Leavitt was on his bike for the third round, avoiding almost all striking encounters with “The Cuban Problem.” A much better round for Yadier Del Valle being the forward fighter, as he was able to find himself postured up with Leavitt in his guard. Del Valle landed some light ground and pound, though not effective enough as Leavitt aimed another submission attempt at the legs of Del Valle, collapsing all hope for a third round finish for the opposition.
With the decision win, Leavitt hands Yadier Del Valle his first loss in his professional career, moving to 13-3-0 and 6-3-0 in the UFC.
Official Result: Jordan Leavitt def. Yadier Del Valle by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
