Davey Grant spoiled Raphael Assuncao’s retirement sendoff earlier today (Sat., Mar. 11, 2023) at UFC Las Vegas live on ESPN+ from inside The Theater at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas, Nevada, when the English veteran stopped Assuncao with a rare reverse triangle in the third round.
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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).
Assuncao was entering his 19th and final UFC fight. The Brazilian veteran has fought some of the best bantamweights in the world throughout his career and was facing a tough test in Grant for his Octagon farewell. Unfortunately, it didn’t end the way Assuncao had imagined.
After two rounds of control for Assuncao it seemed as if Grant needed a finish in the third round. Grant was deducted one point for a fence grab which further fueled his pursuit for a stoppage. He eventually caught Assuncao with a spinning back fist. Assuncao tried to recover with a takedown attempt, but Grant took his back on the way down and locked in a rare reverse triangle. Assuncao was pinned down and the referee eventually realized he was out.
Check out the final moments above courtesy of UFC/ESPN.
For complete UFC Las Vegas results and coverage click here.
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