October 14, 2024 5:30 pm ET
LAS VEGAS – Clayton Carpenter beat Lucas Rocha with a second-round technical submission Saturday to open the preliminary card at UFC Battle Night time 244 on the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Have a look contained in the struggle with Carpenter, who stayed unbeaten in his return after a 20-month layoff and known as out latest flyweight title challenger Steve Erceg for his subsequent check.
Clayton Carpenter
Consequence: Clayton Carpenter def. Lucas Rocha via technical submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 2:12 Clayton Carpenter def. Lucas Rocha, UFC Battle Night time 244 “As quickly as I took the again, I felt prefer it was fairly sunk already earlier than it was actually underneath his chin. It took me a second to essentially get my second hand concerned. I used to be attempting to choke him out with one arm. I needed to ‘Nate Diaz’ him – I needed to choke him out with one arm like Nate Diaz and attempt to get the $50K (bonus), however I used to be like, I’ll in all probability simply keep on with the end.”
Could 4, 2024; Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BRAZIL; Alexandre Pantoja (crimson gloves) fights towards Steve Erceg (blue gloves) throughout UFC 301 at Rio Enviornment. Obligatory Credit score: Jason Silva-USA TODAY Sports activities
“It was the roughest sh*t ever. I imply, I may give two f*cks if individuals forgot about me. However for me, it was bullsh*t. It felt like the most important c*ck block of my life: I get in right here, first-round sub, win my (UFC) debut, the following factor you recognize, I’m out. And I used to be speculated to struggle f*cking Stephen Erceg. I used to be all hyped. He was ducking me the primary few instances, ducking me on (Dana White’s Contender Sequence) and postponed our second struggle (reserving). It was after that postponed that I had my stuff occur to me (and I used to be out).”
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 12: (L-R) Clayton Carpenter punches Lucas Rocha of Brazil in a flyweight struggle throughout the UFC Battle Night time occasion at UFC APEX on October 12, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Picture by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
“I’m going to speak to my coaches about that. I handled some adversity on this struggle camp that I needed to energy via. I’m going to speak to my supervisor and speak with my generals and see what the perfect choice on that’s. I’m counting the times (for Erceg) … counting the times. (I) can’t wait”
To listen to extra from Carpenter, try the video of the total post-fight interview above.
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC Fight Night 244.
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Clayton Carpenter def. Lucas Rocha
Up to date data: Carpenter (8-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC), Rocha (17-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Key stats: Carpenter has 4 of his previous 5 wins by stoppage, together with back-to-back rear-naked chokes.
Carpenter on the struggle’s key second
Carpenter on his layoff and Steve Erceg
Carpenter on what he needs subsequent
