Yadier del Valle needed less than three minutes to win his UFC debut.
At UFC Fight Night 256, del Valle (9-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) submitted Connor Matthews (7-4 MMA, 0-3 UFC) with a rear-naked choke at 2:54 of Round 1.
There was a feeling out process on the feet where del Valle landed hard leg kicks. He took Matthews down and eventually took the New Englander’s back where he locked in the choke and got the tap.
Cuba’s Del Valle, 28, continues to build on the momentum he gained through an insane back-and-forth brawl vs. Antonio Monteiro on Dana White’s Contender Series. Saturday’s win was his third career submission.
Matthews, 32, could find himself on the chopping block after the loss. The defeat was his third in as many UFC attempts. He was finished in all three.
