Middleweights Mansur Abdul-Malik and Dustin Stoltzfus were the second fight in on the UFC 330 main card, with both fighters looking to return to the win column.
Saturday night at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia found Abdul-Malik looking to bounce back from his first career loss, while Stoltzfus was dealing with back-to-back goose eggs.
The pair opened with a few heavy exchanges early, both men swinging hard. Abdul-Malik had a slight speed advantage, and perhaps with that in mind, Stoltzfus went after the takedown near the midway mark, putting his weight on Abdul-Malik. He earned some control time, but Abdul-Malik was soon able to break free. He fired a high kick, and Stoltzfus seemed to signal a toe poke, unaware that there’s no time out for toe pokes, unlike eye pokes from an outstretched finger.
Luckily for Stoltzfus, he was able to hold it together, and after a clinch they’d reset at center. Stoltzfus then landed his right and, and another, before scooping up Abdul-Malik and slamming him down! Stoltzfus quickly move to mount, rained down bombs, and forced his opponent to cough up his back. He briefly had a choke, and later chased a Suloev stretch before the end of the round.
Stoltzfus went back to the wrestling well in round two, halting the momentum of Abdul-Malik. Then came a reversal, and Abdul-Malik was able to get on top and land a few shots, at least before Stoltzfus went after a leg again. Then it was back to the feet, Stoltzfus showing some damage but working his jab. He closed the distance and got a body lock in place. Stoltzfus landed a spinning elbow along the fence, but could not get the fight down. Instead, Abdul-Malik found space, landing a kick, while Stoltzfus came up short on a takedown.
A right hand did land, however, and moments later, Stoltzfus was on top with Abdul-Malik in a guillotine. Next, Stoltzfus got a knee on the throat, a position rarely seen. Abdul-Malik looked anything but comfortable, and Stoltzfus began landing heavy shots. A rear-naked choke followed, and Abdul-Malik was forced to tap!
Dustin Stoltzfus, a native of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was victorious in Philly, and back in the win column! Certainly a bit of an upset.
Official Result: Dustin Stoltzfus def. Mansur Abdul-Malik by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 2, 4:25
