Former Bellator MMA welterweight champion Yaroslav Amosov was looking for his second victory under the UFC banner when he faced off against Joel Alvarez at UFC 328 in Newark on Saturday.
With a record of 29-1, the Ukrainian was also looking for his 30th pro win, and third straight victory overall. Amosov’s only loss had come to Jason Jackson in Bellator; Alvarez for his part had won four straight.
Amosov was the busier fighter in the opening minute, throwing low kicks, kicks to the body, and letting his hands go, backing Alvarez up to the fence. When Alvarez came forward, Amosov changed levels and landed a takedown, ending up in half-guard. From there Amosov was able to land a left hand or two, but Alvarez did work his way to the fence and wall walk up. Straight into a standing arm-triangle, though that wouldn’t last. Amosov, however, took Alvarez right back down.
The round played out in that fashion, with Amosov draped over Alvarez like a wet blanket. Any time Joel made it back to his feet, Yaroslav Amosov was all over him, taking him back down, often with a deftly placed trip.
After getting virtually zero offense off in round one, Alvarez looked to get his hands going to start round two. Coming forward more in the first minute than he had the entire first frame, he did land a couple of times— but found himself taken down moments later. And Amosov followed the takedown up with an arm-triangle choke, got the tap, then followed his submission win up with some breakdancing for good measure!
Yaroslav’s first UFC win had got him in the door, but his second made a statement: watch out!
Official Result: Yaroslav Amosov def. Joel Alvarez by submission (arm-triangle choke), Round 2, 1:13
