Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Jesse Ronson pulled off a huge upset earlier tonight (Sat., July 25, 2020) at UFC on ESPN 14 live on ESPN/ESPN+ from inside Flash Forum on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, when the veteran fighter finished welterweight contender Nicolas Dalby via first-round submission (rear-naked choke).
Ronson was filling in on short notice after Danny Roberts pulled out of this fight but the Canadian finisher remained confident against the larger Dalby. Despite Dalby’s efforts to control Ronson in the clinch and use his size to dictate the fight Ronson was still able to land his shots. “Body Snatcher” found a home for a left-hand counter that put Dalby on his butt midway through the first. Ronson followed with ground-and-pound before Dalby turned over and Ronson was able to lock in the submission finish.
Check out the highlights above courtesy of UFC/ESPN.
With this performance, Ronson makes his Octagon return after departing the promotion back in 2014 following three-straight losses via split decision. While Ronson typically fights at 155 pounds — and will do so moving forward — this was quite the performance on short notice. Given Ronson’s history for finishing fights and willingness to throw down with just about anybody, he should have a more successful stay in the UFC this time around.
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