UFC Vegas 15 Highlights: Anthony Smith snags a quick submission win

The main event for UFC Vegas 15 wasn’t what was originally advertised (thanks to Curtis Blaydes testing positive for COVID-19). Instead of a heavyweight matchup with title implication we got a light heavyweight tilt between Anthony ‘Lionheart’ Smith and Devin ‘Brown Bear’ Clark.

In the video package setting this fight up we learned that Clark was mourning the recent death of his mother-in-law. Clark said that his late mother-in-law always asked him to get first round finishes in his fight, something he had not managed to do so far in his UFC career. Because of this, Clark said he was guaranteeing a first round finish over Smith.

Smith burst out of the blocks trying to make his wish come true. He stormed towards Smith throwing punches. But Smith was wise to it. He peddled backwards, evaded the strikes and then got Clark down, quickly against the cage.

Smith then dragged his prey into the middle of the cage and worked to get on Clark’s back. There was an uncomfortable scramble on the ground, where Smith had Clark’s leg grapevined, but nothing else. Clark was able to wriggle free of this and spin to get on top.

However, Smith’s full guard proved dangerous. From there the former UFC light heavyweight title challenger snapped on a triangle choke. It was tight and Clark was forced to tap.

Unfortunately for Clark he does not get the ending he was hoping for. For Smith, he gets a much needed win off the back of a couple of very tough losses.

Anthony Smith def. Devin Clark via submission (triangle), round 1 (2:34).

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