UFC on ABC 3 featured one of the best comeback fights we’ve witnessed in ages. See what fighters and fans had to say about Matt Schnell’s gutsy win.
While the main event of UFC Long Island may have been a dud, a couple of the undercard fighters made sure fans staying at home on a beautiful July day got rewarded with some wild MMA action.
Matt Schnell and Sumudaerji wasted no time going to war during their flyweight tilt, battling back and forth with the ferocity we’ve come to expect from 125 pounders. The second round was where things got crazy, though. Sumudaerji hit Schnell with a series of step-in elbows, catching Schnell clean upside the head multiple times and leaving “Danger” on wobbly legs.
But there was no quit in Schnell, who fired back with some power punches of his own, hurting Sumudaerji. The next thing you know, Schnell is in mount raining down elbows of his own on Sumerdaerji. Sumerdaerji managed to escape mount, only to end up in a triangle. Schnell squeezed with everything he had, forcing a quart of blood out of his opponent’s head and putting him to sleep.
“I think he got tired from beating on me, and I was able to capitalize,” Schnell said during the post-fight interview with Daniel Cormier. “I don’t even remember any of those, so I can’t take too much credit for it. But I’m one of these guys, a lot of people count me out but I’m a bad man.”
INSANE FINISH TO AN INSANE FIGHT
Watch #UFCLongIsland NOW on ABC pic.twitter.com/bGAOtPTkYt
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) July 16, 2022
Matt Schnell vs. Sumudaerji – Round 2 pic.twitter.com/VMiz2KgutF
— Neo Vale Tudo (@NeoValeTudo) July 17, 2022
It was, to put it mildly, an impressive comeback win. Let’s go to social media for responses that more properly capture the emotions people watching Schnell vs. Sumerdaerji felt.
#UFCLongIsland That second stanza was absolutely INSANE
Congrats Matt Schnell
— Charles ‘DoBronxs’ Oliveira (@CharlesDoBronxs) July 16, 2022
Fuck me that was some scrap that! @ufc best FlyW fight I’ve ever watched! #UFCLongIsland
— Paddy The Baddy (@theufcbaddy) July 16, 2022
Those put on a great show
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) July 16, 2022
F**k it, give both of them 50 Gs. The flyweights can scrap too! https://t.co/IHroAR47c1
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) July 16, 2022
My guy Danger!!!!!!! Great comeback
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) July 16, 2022
Bloodsport
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) July 16, 2022
Great Odin’s Raven!!!!!! What a fight, what a finish. @DANGER_Caged is that guy!!!!#UFCLongIsland #UFConABC3
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) July 16, 2022
Holy schnell this fight is amazing
— michael (@bisping) July 16, 2022
How tough is Schnell! what W finish. He was so quick t recovering after being wobbled constantly. #UFCLongIsland
— Davey Grant (@DaveyGrantMMA) July 16, 2022
That ref helped make that fight amazing . Some would have stepped in and schnell would have never got the chance to come back
— Brian BOOM Kelleher (@brianboom135) July 16, 2022
That was a really, really opportune fight to have on network TV. #UFCLongIsland
— Phil Murphy (@Phil_Sports) July 16, 2022
schnell had that dawg in em #UFCLongIsland pic.twitter.com/BJgdShWdB6
— Hektic_One (@hektic_one) July 16, 2022
Matt Schnell in that 2nd round pic.twitter.com/H1qxovpENk
— ??????????? (@TheArtOfWar6) July 16, 2022
Matt Schnell being shown his own highlights. pic.twitter.com/pyf9GkxCyg
— Ben Fowlkes (@benfowlkesMMA) July 16, 2022
Due to this I will never miss another Matt Schnell fight in my life. Absolute warrior. #UFCLongIsland pic.twitter.com/uBJBIy9xy0
— _ (@pike_brendon) July 16, 2022
Matt Schnell really pulled this card tonight #UFCLongIsland pic.twitter.com/gJtuVh5030
— (@TheMMAHaven) July 16, 2022
The Schnell vs Sumudaerji fight was awarded Fight of the Night, with both men receiving $50,000 bonuses. And according to UFC president Dana white, Matt Schnell can expect to get a little something extra for his gutsy comeback submission.
The win snaps a slump for Schnell, who was coming off a 1-1-1 run over the last two years. The loss breaks Sumudaerji’s three fight win streak, but should help raise his profile. This was a great fight and both men showed a lot of skill and mettle.