Benardo Sopaj turned pressure into a finish in emphatic fashion at UFC Vegas 117 on Saturday night.
After controlling the pace and threatening early against Timmy Cuamba, Sopaj capitalized in the second round with a knockdown followed by a slick submission, securing a statement win inside the distance.
Round 1 – Sopaj took the middle of the octagon with Cuamba working on the outside with his back real close to the fence. Sopaj landed a leg kick before Cuamba sent two his way.
Sopaj did well to lunge in and land a right hook on Cuamba. Sopaj cut the cage off pretty well not allowing Cuamba to travel very far before having to change directions. Cuamba tried to get some real estate back by rushing forward with strikes, but Sopaj made him pay with a stiff jab.
Sopaj rushed in and clinched Cuamba on the fence scoring the takedown and taking his back with the quickness and just under a minute left in the round. Cuamba tried to shake him off, but almost gave the neck up.
Sopaj worked with the arm on the chin and began to crank the neck. He squeezed hard looking to finish the fight, but Cuamba accepted the pain and survived to the second round.
Round 2 – Cuamba stayed in the middle and threw a kick that landed a low blow on Sopaj forcing the ref to call a timeout.
Time out didn’t last long and the two got back to fighting.
Cuamba worked to make his length and quickness to work for him landing a lighting quick body kick. Sopaj rushed in on a takedown, but the under hook was there for Cuamba and he defended it.
Sopaj worked two clean jabs and then a massive left hook that dropped Cuamba.
Sopaj went out of his mind with hammer fists looking to finish the fight. Cuamba tried to defend himself and get to the feet, but Sopaj forced him back to the ground before taking his back.
The arm got under the neck and Sopaj scored a submission victory.
Official Result: Benardo Sopaj def. Timmy Cuamba via R2 SUB (RNC), 2:25
