Quick, any idea the last time Tyron Woodley scored a submission?
How about just a guess?
Woodley, the reigning UFC welterweight champion, picked up his first submission victory since a 2009 arm-triangle choke finish on Rudy Bears in his fifth pro fight under the Strikeforce Challenger banner Saturday night.
The victory came in the main event of UFC 228, as Woodley earned another successful title defense with a win vs. Darren Till.
Woodley’s submission back nine years ago was his fifth straight to start his career, with one of those being via strikes when Steve Schnider quit in his first bout.
The former NCAA wrestling standout also locked in a D’arce choke on Salvador Woods in his third pro fight on a card that featured Robbie Lawler – who he defeated to win his UFC title – in the main event vs. Jake Shields.
With the win, Woodley cemented his standing as one of the top fighters in the world right now. He is unbeaten since a 2014 decision loss to current Bellator champion Rory MacDonald, having bested the likes of Lawler, top middleweight contender Kelvin Gastelum, Stephen Thompson, Demian Maia and now Till along the way.
Many wondered if the size of Till would be too much, but Woodley again fought past that and came out on top.
In the co-main event, Jessica Andrade made her claim to being the next strawweight title contender with a first round knockout of Karolina Kowalkiewicz. The bout was elevated to that position after Nicco Montano’s flyweight title defense vs. Valentina Shevchenko was scratched when Montano was sent to the hospital prior to the start of weigh-ins.
Zabit Magomedsharipov, Jimmie Rivera and Abdul Razak Alhassan all added main card wins, with Tatiana Suarez, Aljamain Sterling, Geoff Neal and Darren Stewart picking up finishes on the FX prelims.
Veterans Diego Sanchez and Jim Miller halted losing streaks on UFC Fight Pass with victories, as Irene Aldana and Jarred Brooks were also victorious.
UFC 228 Results
Tyron Woodley def. Darren Till via submission (D’arce choke) at 4:19 of Round 2 to remain UFC welterweight champion
Jessica Andrade def. Karolina Kowalkiewicz via KO (strike) at 1:58 of Round 1
Zabit Magomedsharipov def. Brandon Davis via submission (kneebar) at 3:46 of Round 2
Jimmie Rivera def. John Dodson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Abdul Razak Alhassan def. Niko Price via KO (strike) at :43 of Round 1
Tatiana Suarez def. Carla Esparza via TKO (strikes) at 4:33 of Round 3
Aljamain Sterling def. Cody Stamman via submission (kneebar) at 3:42 of Round 2
Geoff Neal def. Frank Camacho via KO (head-kick) at 1:23 of Round 2
Darren Stewart def. Charles Byrd via TKO (strikes) at 2:17 of Round 2
Diego Sanchez def. Craig White via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Jim Miller def. Alex White via submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:29 of Round 1
Irene Aldana def. Lucie Pudilova via split decision (29-28, 28-28, 29-28)
Jarred Brooks def. Roberto Sanchez via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
