[autotag]Daniel Zellhuber[/autotag] was tested early by a more experienced octagon veteran in [autotag]Christos Giagos[/autotag] at Noche UFC, but he managed to turn the tide and score a slick submission.
Giagos (20-11 MMA, 6-7 UFC) started the fight strong by rocking Zellhuber (13-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC) with some heavy punches. He looked in control through the first round of the lightweight bout at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, but it didn’t last.
Zellhuber composed himself, started using his lengthy strikes effectively, and stopped takedown attempts until Giagos left his neck available for an anaconda choke at the 3:26 mark of Round 2.
Check out the replay of the finish below (via X):
Daniel Zellhuber gets another one for Mexico!! 🇲🇽@GoldenboyZell gets his 2nd straight W at #NocheUFC pic.twitter.com/GVrrTRIvEE
— UFC (@ufc) September 17, 2023
Zellhuber’s victory sent the crowd into frenzy, and he celebrated with them in the aftermath of the fight giving an enthusiastic post-fight interview.
“It was a very tough fight. Bro, he hit harder than a motherf*cker,” Zellhuber said in his post-fight interview with Daniel Cormier. “The first time he hit me I was like, ‘Oh sh*t.’ I knew he was about to shoot, and I just took the opportunity (to get the submission).”
Up-to-the-minute Noche UFC results include:
- Daniel Zellhuber def. Christos Giagos via submission (anaconda choke) – Round 2, 3:26
- Kyle Nelson def. Fernando Padilla via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
- Loopy Godinez def. Elise Reed via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 3:38
- Roman Kopylov def. Josh Fremd via TKO (body punch) – Round 2, 4:44
- Edgar Chairez vs. Daniel Lacerda declared no contest (referee stoppage overturned) – Round 1, 3:47
- Tracy Cortez def. Jasmine Jasudavicius via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Charlie Campbell def. Alex Reyes via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:38
- Josefine Knutsson def. Marnic Mann via unanimous decision (30-24, 30-25, 30-27)
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Noche UFC.