UFC Moncton Recap: Smith Pulls off Comeback Submission

Anthony Smith’s momentum continues, as he picked up a big third-round submission win over Volkan Oezdemir in the main event of UFC Moncton, from the Avenir Centre in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada.

Smith attempted a takedown at the start, managing to bring him to the fence but failing to get it in full. Oezdemir reversed and got Smith against the fence, where a clinch-fest with knees developed. Oezdemir connected with several overhand shots, forcing Smith to cover up. With about 90 seconds left, Oezdemir came back out on the attack as the two exchanged before Oezdemir clinched Smith up against the cage once more.

In the second, Oezdemir focused on leg kicks while Smith answered with punches upstairs. Oezdemir landed a takedown about 80 seconds into the round, pressuring the 10-year veteran on the ground. Oezdemir attempted to get his leg free and step into mount, but Smith reversed and nearly got in a heel hook. That was reversed by Oezdemir, who took Smith’s back on the ground. Oezdemir rode out the rest of the round.

Smith managed to rock Oezdemir in the third, forcing him back before “No Time” answered and the two exchanged once again, with Oezdemir looking a little fatigued. Smith landed a knee and Oezdemir landed an elbow as the two fired away again. This time, Smith got the takedown and managed to get Oezdemir’s back, flattening him out and getting both hooks in, sinking in the rear-naked choke. While Oezdemir fought it off as long as he could, it became too much, being forced to tap in the final minute of the third round.

They’re exchanging back and forth in round 3! #UFCMoncton pic.twitter.com/fuIDSIOVX9

— UFC (@ufc) October 28, 2018

LIONHEART! @LionheartSmith taps Volkan in round 3! #UFCMoncton pic.twitter.com/ppttWJ6LdW

— UFC (@ufc) October 28, 2018

This makes it three wins in a row for Smith, who has only had three light heavyweight fights and was ranked No. 10 in the UFC’s light heavyweight rankings — with all three coming over noted light heavyweight names (Rashad Evans, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, Oezdemir). Smith has now won 14 of his 16 professional bouts since 2014.

Oezdemir, meanwhile, has now lost back-to-back fights, with his other loss coming earlier this year in a failed title bid against light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier at UFC 220.

UFC Moncton Main Card Results:
Light Heavyweight: Anthony Smith def. Volkan Oezdemir via submission (rear-naked choke) (Rd. 3, 4:26)
Catchweight (147 lbs.)*: Michael Johnson def. Artem Lobov via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Light Heavyweight: Misha Cirkunov def. Patrick Cummins via submission (arm-triangle) (Rd. 1, 2:40)
Bantamweight: Andre Soukhamthath def. Jonathan Martinez via unanimous decision (30-26, 29-28, 29-28)
Light Heavyweight: Gian Villante def. Ed Herman via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Welterweight: Court McGee def. Alex Garcia via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-28)

UFC Moncton Preliminary Card Results:
Welterweight: Sean Strickland def. Nordine Taleb via TKO (Rd. 2, 3:10)
Lightweight: Nasrat Haqparast def. Thibault Gouti via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 30-26)
Featherweight: Calvin Kattar def. Chris Fishgold via TKO (Rd. 1, 4:11)
Women’s Bantamweight: Talita Bernardo def. Sarah Moras via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

UFC Moncton Early Prelim Card Results:
Lightweight: Don Madge def. Te’Jovan Edwards via KO (Rd. 2, 0:14)
Heavyweight: Arjan Bhullar def. Marcelo Holm via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-27)
Lightweight: Stevie Ray def. Jessie Ayari via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
*Johnson missed weight