Davey Grant locked in a rare and spectacular submission to put Raphael Assuncao unconscious and pick up victory Saturday in Las Vegas.
At UFC Fight Night 221, Grant (13-6 MMA, 6-5 UFC) earned a technical submission of Assuncao (27-10 MMA, 12-7 UFC) via reverse triangle at 4:43 of Round 3. The event took place at The Theater at Virgin Hotels.
After more than two-and-a-half rounds of fighting, Grant was deducted a point midway through Round 3 for a cage grab. Since Assuncao hadn’t established control position when the cage-grab occurred, the fighters were separated. Grant landed a huge spinning backfist that stunned Assuncao, who shot for a takedown.
Rather than stuff the takedown, Grant went up and over Assuncao, as he wrapped his legs around the head. Grant squeezed and squeezed. It appeared Assuncao was not moving for several seconds before referee Keith Peterson pulled Grant off his unconscious opponent.
Up to his feet, conscious, for the decision, Assuncao took off his gloves and announced his retirement from professional MMA in the cage.
Davey Grant with the reverse triangle submission
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Grant, 37, has won back-to-back fights and five of his most recent seven bouts.
The up-to-the-minute UFC Fight Night 221 results include:
- Davey Grant def. Raphael Assuncao via technical submission (reverse triangle) – Round 3, 4:47
- Josh Fremd def. Sedriques Dumas via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 2, 3:00
- Victor Henry def. Tony Gravely via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)
- Ariane Lipski def. JJ Aldrich via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Bruno Silva def. Tyson Nam via technical submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 1:23
- Carlston Harris def. Jared Gooden via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 221.