Lightweights Dom Mar Fan and Kody Steele kicked off the UFC Perth card at the RAC Arena on Saturday.
A 2024 Contender Series winner, Steele was looking to shake off the first loss of his pro career, in his UFC debut against Zhu Rong. Fan, meanwhile, had won the Road to UFC tournament back in January.
Steele and Fan both had their back to the cage at points early in Saturday’s card-opener, but in less than a minute, Steele landed an explosive takedown. That gave him plenty of time to work, from half-guard, with Steele soon threatening with a choke. Steele made it to mount, but Fan was able to reverse, leading to a scramble with Dom Mar coming out on top. From there, the pair attacked legs, with Steele using his to entangle Fan’s right leg. After a few seconds of work, it was Steele locking up a heel hook — forcing a very quick tap!
Kody Steele picks up his first UFC victory with the submission, improving to 10-2 as a pro in the process. “When I saw it, I just had to take it,” Steele said of the submission afterwards. “Where ever the fight went, I was going to be prepared,” he added, noting that while he loves putting on bangers, he needed to get that first victory.
Official Result: Kody Steele def. Dom Mar Fan by submission (heel hook), Round 1, 3:56
