It appeared UFC lightweight Joe Solecki wanted nothing more than a rear-naked choke finish at UFC Fight Night 220.
Thanks to his aggressive approach and consistent attack, Solecki (13-3 MMA, 5-1 UFC) was able to get what he was looking for, spoiling the debut of Carl Deaton on the prelims at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas with a technical submission finish at 4:55 of Round 2.
A vast majority of the opening round was spent with Solecki on the back of Deaton (17-6 MMA, 0-1 UFC) in a standing position against the cage. Solecki searched for the rear-naked choke repeatedly while alternating body triangles. Deaton remained calm, and kept his neck protected long enough to see the second round.
Throughout the second round, Solecki continued his hunt for a submission finish on the back of Deaton. With the clock winding down, a deep rear-naked choke was locked in. Deaton attempted to ride it out until the horn, but the choke put him to sleep with just five seconds remaining in the round.
An absolute GRAPPLING CLINIC 📝
Searching for the choke all fight and @JoeSolecki gets the finish! #UFCVegas70 pic.twitter.com/pl3kmQdM3t
— UFC (@ufc) February 25, 2023
The win for Solecki, 29, marked his fifth under the UFC banner, and his second straight. In his previous outing last June, he won a majority decision over Alex da Silva, bouncing back from his lone loss with the promotion.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 220.
