Ramiz Brahimaj submits Vanderford with guillotine at UFC 320 prelims

Ramiz Brahimaj submitted Austin Vanderford in the second round of a welterweight bout on the preliminary card of UFC 320 on Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, handing Vanderford his first loss in the promotion. Brahimaj secured a tight guillotine choke at 2 minutes, 24 seconds of round two after landing a significant head kick that opened a cut on Vanderford and forced a scramble that led to the submission.

The fight began cautiously, with Vanderford controlling much of the opening stanza. He used a sharp jab, a quick head kick and a late takedown to dictate position on the mat, landing an elbow from full guard as the opening round closed. Brahimaj changed the momentum early in round two by connecting with a damaging lead head kick that staggered Vanderford and produced visible swelling and a cut above his eye. Vanderford attempted to respond with a takedown, but Brahimaj trapped his neck and tightened the guillotine, drawing the tap and the victory.

The win improved Brahimaj's professional record and extended his recent run of submission finishes to three straight. He celebrated in the cage with a lighthearted exchange with UFC commentator Joe Rogan, placing a hat...