As far as birthday presents go, it probably doesn’t get much better than a first-round submission win in a championship bout. Or at least that’s what one would think, judging by defending champ Raufeon Stots ’ singing and dancing after choking out Arnold Berdon in Victory FC 59’s headlining affair, a Saturday event that streamed live on UFC Fight Pass from Baxter Arena in Omaha, Neb. Berdon (6-2) was no push-over, showing some quality striking in brief exchanges. Stots (9-1), however, was smart enough to minimize his risks and repeatedly guide the fight to where he had the control – whether it was against the cage or, ultimately, the ground. It paid off late in the first round, when a rear-naked choke proved too tight for Berdon to fight off
Victory FC 56 live results (9 p.m. ET)
April 14, 2017
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