LAS VEGAS – Joe Solecki beat Carl Deaton with a second-round technical submission Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC Fight Night 220 in Las Vegas.
Take a look inside the fight with Solecki, who won for the second straight time.
Carl Deaton vs. Joe Solecki
Result: Joe Solecki def. Carl Deaton via technical submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 4:55
Updated records: Solecki (13-3 MMA, 5-1 UFC), Deaton (17-6 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Key stat: Solecki has eight of his 13 wins by submission.
Solecki on the fight's key moment
“We didn’t necessarily know we were going to get a finish. We were going to hunt a finish – just put pressure on him, start to finish. We knew something would have to give. It’s always about my grappling styles like that when I compete in jiu-jitsu. I think, thanks to my coaching, it has also become my fight style. It’s just coraling my opponent and trying to make them make a decision and have either option be good for me. So it was just put the pressure on him and see where it goes.
“But we knew how durable Carl was just from his record. I don’t think he’s ever been finished or anything like that. And he did prove that. Obviously, we got the finish in a weird way in short time in the second round, but he was super durable and he was fighting to stay in the fight. So a ton of respect for him, too.”
Solecki on loving his job
“It’s just a blessing to be here. My buddy and teammate Scott Holtzman has a saying. He’ll yell out after a hard practice or training session, ‘Best job I ever had.’ Certainly after a win, but even before the win, this is a dream come true being here. It really is the best job I ever had. It was a great day at work.”
Solecki on what he wants next
“(Benoit Saint-Denis would be) a commendable opponent. He’s a very tough guy and a respectful. But it’s up to the UFC. I’m not a guy that’s a big noise maker, or I don’t even know that I’m a big draw or anything like that. So I just get the name that’s sent to me. We’re in the business saying yes. We had two cracks at that because they offered him to me for Paris right after the last one. I still had a rib out of place. We were like, ‘Oh, could we do it a little further along?’ But they wanted him in Paris. So I had them to say no to one with him, (and) he had to come out of one with me. Maybe it’s just not meant to be. I don’t know. But we’re ready for whatever. I’ll be back training very soon here in a couple of days, and I’ve got a date on Monday with my daughter. After that, I’m back to training. Whatever’s next, we’ll be ready for.
“I’m a guy who likes to stay active. We do have a little one on the way in July, so ideally not the end of June or early July, but a month or two either side of that, I think we’ll be all right at the thought of the wife. But we’re ready to go. This is what we do. This is my career. So I’m ready to work.”
To hear more from Solecki, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 220.
