Just when it looked like Wellington Turman was in trouble, he turned the tables on Misha Cirkunov with a devastating armbar to get a submission win at UFC Vegas 49.
The Brazilian started the fight strong but then ended up on his back eating punches and fending off grappling exchanges with Cirkunov in the opening round. Turman appeared to be in for another round of this fight, but he grabbed the armbar and forced Cirkunov out nearly immediately.
The official stoppage came at 1:29 in the second round.
” It was amazing,” Turman stated. “I’m happy with the ‘W.’ We train real hard in the gym. Glover Teixeira is a champion in the gym. I just listened to my coaches. It was a fantastic result .”
Following some big shots traded on the feet at the start, Turman was able to jump on Cirkunov’s back where he started to look for a fight finishing rear naked choke. Turman wrapped his arms around Cirkunovs neck and chin, but it was getting more intense with every second.
Just as it appeared that the Brazilian might win the fight by submission, Cirkunov was able to turn Turman just enough to knock him down. Cirkunov began to throw punches above Turman before looking for the north-south choke, which also put Turman in serious trouble.
Turman was hunched over in the corner, trying to catch a second wind. Cirkunov came running straight away to make the most of this situation.
Cirkunov got an early trip takedown but just as he started to move into position on the ground, Turman shifted his hips, kicked up his legs and grabbed onto the armbar from the bottom. The tap came just a split second later with Cirkunov grimacing in pain from the submission.
It was a stunning finish delivered by Turman after it appeared he was in for a long night at the office but instead he walks away with a submission victory to earn his second win in a row overall in the UFC.
