Yoo submits unbeaten Kovacheck in round 3; Malott stops Buckley for fifth straight win; Jasudavicius wins by decision

Yoo Su-young (top) controls Cody Kovacheck on the ground during UFC Fight Night at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, on Sunday (local time). [UFC]
Yoo Su-young (top) controls Cody Kovacheck on the ground during UFC Fight Night at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, on Sunday (local time). [UFC]

UFC Edmonton closed out with a first career finish for South Korean fighter Yoo Su-young and a knockout victory for Canadian Mike Malott.

At UFC Fight Night: Buckley vs. Malott, held Sunday (local time) at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Yoo submitted unbeaten prospect Cody Kovacheck of the United States, while Malott delivered a fifth consecutive win in front of his home crowd in the main event.

Yoo, fighting on the opening card, stopped Kovacheck at 4 minutes 19 seconds of round 3 with a kimura submission. Bouncing back from a loss to Elijah Smith last March, Yoo recorded his first UFC finish and improved his overall record to 17 wins, 4 losses and 2 no-contests, with a 3-1 mark inside the octagon. Kovacheck, who entered the bout 9-0, suffered the first professional loss of his career.

Yoo leaned on his signature grappling, completing six takedowns and controlling his opponent for 11 minutes and 49 seconds. Late in the third round, he dragged Kovacheck to the mat once more and forced the tap with a kimura.

Yoo Su-young raises both arms in celebration after his victory is announced on Sunday (local time). [UFC]
Yoo Su-young raises both arms in celebration after his victory is announced on Sunday (local time). [UFC]

After the fight, Yoo said he was proud of himself for earning a submission in an organization of this caliber using his jiu-jitsu style. He named Alexandre Topuria — brother of former two-division UFC champion Ilia Topuria — as his preferred next opponent.

In the main event, Malott stopped Joaquin Buckley, 32, of the United States with a knee strike KO in round 2. The win extended Malott's winning streak to five and lifted his record to 15 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses, with an 8-1 mark in the UFC, strengthening his case for a top-10 welterweight ranking.

"I feel like I'm on top of the world. There's no better moment in my life than this," Malott said after the bout. He added: "I may speak softly, but I hit incredibly hard. I could be fighting a top-10 guy, maybe even a top-5 guy next."

Mike Malott (right) rushes Joaquin Buckley with a right hand during the main event on Sunday (local time). [UFC]
Mike Malott (right) rushes Joaquin Buckley with a right hand during the main event on Sunday (local time). [UFC]

In the co-main event, Canada's Jasmine Jasudavicius defeated No. 4-ranked women's flyweight Erin Blanchfield of the United States by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28). Ranked sixth, Jasudavicius beat a higher-ranked opponent to strengthen her position in the title picture.

Elsewhere on the card, Cristian Perez of Mexico knocked out Kyle Nelson of Canada just 27 seconds into round 1 to win his UFC debut. Canada's Marc-Andre Barriault stopped Kyle Daukaus of the United States by TKO in round 1, and Mandel Nallo of Canada defeated Nate Landwehr of the United States by TKO in round 2.

Timmy Quiambao of the United States submitted Louis Jourdain of Canada in round 2, while Tanner Boser of Canada earned a round-3 TKO victory over Jhonathas Diniz of Brazil.


yjc@heraldcorp.com