Top 5: Fastest UFC flyweight submissions

Ben Nguyen produced a moment on which he can always hang his hat.

The South Dakota native etched his name in the Ultimate Fighting Championship record book when he dispatched “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 24 winner Tim Elliott with a rear-naked choke in the first round of their UFC Fight Night 110 flyweight showcase on June 10, 2017 at Spark Arena in Auckland, New Zealand. A late-notice substitution for Joseph Benavidez, Elliott bowed out just 49 seconds into Round 1.

Nguyen buzzed the former Titan Fighting Championship titleholder with a head kick, countered a head-and-arm throw and transitioned to the back while standing. He then moved his arms into position for the choke, forced Elliott to collapse to the canvas and prompted the tapout.

“This was a real rollercoaster for me,” Nguyen said afterward. “Obviously, I expected to fight Benavidez, and then we had to change our game plan with Tim. We noticed that he tends to lean to that side quite a bit so I knew I could time my striking, and it all worked out. Tim’s style is very different, so it was a lot of work, but we got the job done.”

Eight-plus years later, Nguyen’s sub-minute finish of Elliott remains the fastest submission in the history of the UFC flyweight division. The best of the rest:

Muhammad Mokaev vs. Cody Durden

UFC Fight Night 204
March 19, 2022 | London
Mokaev did not disappoint in his promotional debut, as he took care of the former Valor Fighting Challenge champion with a guillotine choke in the first round of their flyweight prelim at the O2 Arena. Durden checked out 58 seconds into Round 1. Mokaev drilled his counterpart with a flying knee and caught the choke when the Covington, Georgia, native tried to scramble back to his feet. Durden attempted to slam himself free but only wandered deeper into danger once the two men hit the canvas. Mokaev tightened the screws on the maneuver and prompted the tapout from the American Top Team rep.

Francisco Figueiredo vs. Daniel Lacerda

UFC on ESPN 35
April 30, 2022 | Las Vegas
Figueiredo wasted neither time nor energy when he dismissed his Brazilian compatriot with a kneebar in the first round of their flyweight prelim at the UFC Apex. Lacerda waved the white flag of surrender 1:18 into Round 1. Figueiredo conceded a takedown after connecting with a body kick, then lured the American Top Team export into his venomous guard. Lacerda tried to clear his legs to advance position but instead found himself entangled in a kneebar during the ensuing scramble. Figueiredo proceeded to maximize torque on his opponent’s left leg, bent the joint beyond its bounds and elicited the tapout.

Matt Schnell vs. Jordan Espinosa

UFC on ESPN 5
Aug. 3, 2019 | Newark, New Jersey
Schnell turned away the two-time Dana White’s Contender Series alum with a triangle choke in the first round of their flyweight prelim at the Prudential Center. Espinosa, who entered the cage on a five-fight winning streak, clocked out 1:23 into Round 1. It was his first submission loss in more than five years. Schnell denied an ill-conceived takedown attempt from the University of New Mexico graduate, fished for a guillotine choke and then transitioned to the triangle. Espinosa did all he could to free himself, but his situation moved from dire to downright hopeless in a matter of seconds.

Alexandre Pantoja vs. Alex Perez

UFC 277
July 30, 2022 | Dallas
Pantoja barely broke a sweat when he brushed aside the Team Oyama mainstay with a neck crank in the first round of their flyweight attraction at the American Airlines Center. Perez capitulated 1:31 into Round 1. Pantoja stepped forward at the start and let his hands go in combination, drawing the former Tachi Palace Fights titleholder into an immediate firefight. He eventually tripped Perez to the canvas and jumped to his back, securing his position with a body triangle. Pantoja unleashed a few short punches, laced his arms around the Californian’s face and tightened his squeeze. The pain proved to be too much for Perez, who tapped while still standing.