Moving to 15-0 wasn’t supposed to be that easy.
Swansea-born bantamweight Brett Johns remains undefeated after storming through the opponent who was supposed to pose the biggest risk to the zero on his record.
Joe Soto has fought for the UFC’s 135lbs title before so he represented a huge step-up in competition for Johns but the Welsh fighter needed just 30 seconds to get the victory on Friday night.
Opening up the main card of The Ultimate Fighter 26 finale, Johns pulled off one of the rarest submissions you’re ever going to see as he cinched up a seldom-seen calf slicer.
Soto dived on a single-leg takedown in the opening moments of the fight but Johns, who now has five submission wins to his name, rolled with his opponent and seamlessly tied up the lower half of his leg.
CALF SLICER! Brett Johns pulls off an incredible submission vs. Joe Soto to kick off the #TUFFinale! https://t.co/xvnqiew1XQ
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) December 2, 2017
‘The Pikey’ tightened the leverage on Soto’s calf and the American had no option but to tap out, handing Johns just the second calf slicer submission in UFC history (the first came when Charles Oliveira submitted Eric Wisely in January 2012).
Having made his UFC debut just last year, Johns has had his hand raised three times in the Octagon but Friday night saw him put together arguably his most impressive performance to date as he claimed his first finish in over two and a half years.
Johns shouted out Wales international Joe Ledley after a pretty comprehensive victory against Albert Morales in July and his reaction to his most recent win was typically brilliant.
MMA Fan:- Only Brazilians can do Calf Slicers
Brett Johns:- Hold my beer………
🐉🐉🐉🐉🐉🐉🐉🐉🐉
— Brett Johns (@36Johns) December 2, 2017