Chad Anheliger produced the first finish of UFC Vegas 48 earlier tonight (Sat., Feb. 19, 2022) live on ESPN+ from inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada, when the Octagon newcomer stopped Jesse Strader via third-round TKO (punches).
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24522501/Vera_Sandhagen_San_Antonio.png)
LIVE! Stream UFC San Antonio On ESPN+
BLOCKBUSTER BANTAMWEIGHT CONTENDERS’ BOUT! Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) departs APEX for a special “Fight Night” extravaganza at AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas, on Sat., March 25, 2023, featuring a pair of thrilling 135-pound bouts. Surging No. 4-ranked contender Marlon Vera goes for his fifth consecutive win when he takes on exciting finisher and No. 5-seeded Cory Sandhagen. In UFC San Antonio’s ESPN+-streamed co-main event, former women’s 135-pound champion and current No. 3-ranked Holly Holm battles Yana Santos (No. 4).
This fight was truly a back-and-forth affair as both bantamweights came out firing. Strader seemed to have the power advantage early, but he was doing most of his work to the body. Anheliger was more active to the head and did pretty well to avoid any serious damage. In the third round, Anheliger was able to land a massive counter left hand during an exchange along the cage. Strader dropped to the canvas like sack of potatoes and Anheliger jumped on top for ground-and-pound and the eventual finish.
Check out the highlights above courtesy of UFC/ESPN.
Anheliger, 35, has now won his last 10 professional fights dating back to 2016. The Canadian veteran will look to build on this memorable UFC debut and land a shot at someone closer to the top 15 his next time out.
For complete UFC Vegas 48 results and coverage click here.
Get the latest gear
Loading comments...