Incredible debut for LI fighter

(Rio de Janeiro, Brazil., June 5, 2017) – UFC 212 was a card that lived up to its billing. With upsets, beautiful finishes and a new featherweight champion crowned, nothing was lacking in front of a packed arena in one of Brazil’s biggest cities.

It was a long way from home for a few fighters, but especially long and new for Selden’s Brian Kelleher, who was making his UFC debut against Brazil’s own, Iuri Alcantara, who is a ranked Brazilian fighter with a long illustrious career.

You wouldn’t know that, Kelleher, 30, was making his UFC debut on foreign soil, because before it could even register, Kelleher already had submitted Alcantara via guillotine choke at the 1:48 minute of the very first round.

Alcantara, ranked #13 in the bantamweight division went in for a double–leg takedown as Kelleher tried to get up to avoid being submitted from the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt with 14 career submission. Kelleher while scrambling found room on the exposed neck of Alcantara and locked in the choke for the huge upset.

Kelleher (17-7, 1-0 UFC) said after the fight as he took on a hostile Brazilian crowd booing him, as he just defeated one of their favorite fighters (Alcantara), "That’s something I hit when I’m scrambling. I knew it was tight, but I didn’t know he was going to tap.”

He said in the interview in the middle of the Octagon, “I just took No. 13 out; I want a top-10 guy. I don’t want this slow pace. Feed me to the sharks. I’m ready!”

That victory made it seven consecutive wins for Kelleher and for his great performance, he won POTN (Performance of the Night) and took home an extra $50,000 for his efforts.

In the main event, Max Holloway defeated Jose Aldo via TKO in round three to become the new undisputed featherweight champion.

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Photo credit: Newsday