Matt Schnell looked sensational earlier tonight (Sat., Mar. 9, 2019) at UFC on ESPN+ 4 from inside the Intrust Bank Arena in Wichita, Kansas, when he finished a streaking Louis Smolka via first-round triangle choke.
Schnell took the offensive from the opening gate as he landed hard punches that backed Smolka up. Smolka responded with a few good shots of his own before launching in for an ill-advised takedown, as Schnell took a hold of a tight guillotine choke on the way down. Smolka somehow recovered to pop his head free but Schnell was there with a triangle choke. Smolka fought the first attempt off but “Danger” didn’t let him go on the second.
Check out the highlights above courtesy of UFC/ESPN.
With this performance, Schnell makes a successful return to bantamweight as he escapes the uncertainty of the UFC’s flyweight division. Smolka is a true veteran with sound grappling of his own so this victory goes a long way in determining Schnell’s potential at 135 pounds.
For complete UFC Wichita results and coverage click here.
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