Yusup “Maestro” Saadulaev displayed methodical striking and masterful technique to keep his victorious momentum rolling.
The Russian bantamweight submitted Australia’s Jordan “Showtime” Lucas with a modified rear-naked choke at the 4:27 mark of the first round at ONE: STATE OF WARRIORS at Yangon, Myanmar’s packed Thuwunna Indoor Stadium.
What started off as a careful feeling-out stage turned into an absolute clinic.
Both fighters opened the stanza with some brief striking, and the Dagestan, Russia, native landed a few stiff kicks to Lucas’ left leg. The Aussie stuffed two of Saadaluev’s takedown attempts, but at the two and a half minute mark, Saadulaev dropped “Showtime” with a gorgeous jab and right cross.
“Maestro” immediately swarmed Lucas and put his BJJ black belt skills to work, jockeying for dominant position and nearly sinking in an arm triangle choke. But finally, he flipped over his opponent and executed a daring modified rear-naked choke to get the tap.
Saadulaev improves his record to 15-4-1, and is on a four-fight win streak. Lucas falls to 8-2, losing back-to-back matches in ONE Championship.
