UFC 258 Prelims: Anthony Hernandez Executes Stunning Submission, Taps Rodolfo Vieira

ANTHONY HERNANDEZ BY SUBMISSION! @ILovebamf with a huge performance to close the prelims #UFC258 pic.twitter.com/aEoULOkWM6

— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) February 14, 2021

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It was an outcome no one could have foreseen.

Anthony Hernandez submitted five-time Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion and 2015 Abu Dhabi Combat Club Submission Wrestling World Championships gold medalist Rodolfo Vieira with a guillotine choke in the second round of their featured UFC 258 prelim on Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Viera (7-1, 2-1 UFC) bowed out 1:53 into Round 2. Odds of a Hernandez submission victory were set at 30-to-1.

Vieira executed a takedown inside the first minute, progressed to the back and threatened with submissions, first with a rear-naked choke and later with an armbar. Hernandez (8-2, 2-2 UFC) managed to escape, and it soon became clear that the Brazilian had emptied his gas tank. From there, it was all one-way traffic. Hernandez blasted away with power punches and appeared to have his adversary out on his feet on more than one occasion. He connected with a head kick, eventually cut Vieira above the left eye with a pair of standing elbows, snatched the arm-in guillotine and prompted the stoppage.

Overbearing Muhammad Handles Lima

Former Titan Fighting Championships titleholder Belal Muhammad broke down two-time “Ultimate Fighter” finalist Dhiego Lima with pace and attritive punishment, as he cruised to a unanimous decision in a three-round welterweight encounter. All three cageside judges scored it 30-27 for Muhammad (18-3, 9-3 UFC).

Lima (15-8, 4-6 UFC) buried a series of kicks into the Brazilian’s upper and lower lead leg but could not keep his tormentor at bay. Muhammad routinely trapped the American Top Team rep on the fence and uncorked multi-punch volleys to head and body. Lima slowed to a crawl in the third round, where he more or less devolved into a sitting duck. Muhammad punctuated his latest victory with a takedown, ultimately advancing to the back before the horn sounded.

The 32-year-old Lima has won four fights in a row.

Related » UFC 258 Round-by-Round Scoring

Viana Armbar Submits Martin

Former Jungle Fight champion Polyana Viana submitted Dana White’s Contender Series graduate Mallory Martin with an armbar in the first round of their women’s strawweight encounter. Martin (7-4, 1-2 UFC) conceded defeat 3:18 into Round 1.

The 28-year-old Viana (12-4, 3-3 UFC) surrendered a quick takedown but immediately went to work with short punches off her back. Soon after, she cinched a triangle choke and battered the exposed Martin with slashing elbows. The Elevation Fight Team rep fought to free herself for several tense moments, only to see the Brazilian transition to the fight-ending armbar.

Viana has rattled off eight wins across her last eight appearances.

Surging Gutierrez Outduels Ewell

Chris Gutierrez rebounded from his Aug. 1 draw with Cody Durden, as the former Sugar Creek Showdown champion laid claim to a unanimous decision over Andre Ewell in a three-round catchweight clash at 140 pounds. Gutierrez (16-4-2, 4-1-1 UFC) swept the scorecards with 30-26, 29-28 and 29-27 marks from the judges.

Ewell (17-7, 4-3 UFC) darted in and out with punches in a bid to exploit an eight-inch reach advantage. However, his efforts grew less and less effective as time ticked away. Gutierrez unleashed a savage attack on his base, directing devastating kicks to the inside and outside of both legs. His lateral movement compromised, Ewell struggled to maintain a safe distance once the fight drifted into its latter stages. Gutierrez continued to fire kicks to all levels and swarmed with punches on occasions, doing more than enough to warrant the decision.

The 29-year-old Gutierrez will enter his next assignment on a five-fight unbeaten streak.

Green Ruins Rowe Debut

Brutal kicks to the lower lead leg and powerful combination punching carried Subfighter MMA export Gabriel Green to a unanimous decision over Philip Rowe in a three-round welterweight pairing. All three judges sided with Green (10-3, 1-1 UFC): 30-27, 29-28 and 29-28.

Rowe (7-3, 1-0 UFC) enjoyed extended periods of success in the grappling exchanges, as he achieved full mount on multiple occasions. However, he could not overcome the damage to his lower extremities. Green hobbled him with a leg kick in the third round and floored him with another, leaving a lasting impression on the scorecards.

The loss snapped Rowe’s seven-fight winning streak.