Photo by Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Heavyweight prospect Juan Espino returned to the Octagon in glorious fashion earlier tonight (Sat., Sept. 26, 2020) at UFC 253 live on ESPN+ PPV from inside Flash Forum on “Fight Island” in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E., when he finished Jeff Hughes via first-round submission (scarf hold neck crank).
Espino wasted little time closing the gap on Hughes to score a few powerful takedowns. Hughes survived the early onslaught but Espino was relentless and banked another slamming takedown in the middle of the cage. That’s when the Spanish heavyweight transitioned into side control and quickly locked in the choke.
Check out the finish below courtesy of UFC/ESPN:
Big time squeeze by @juan_espino_ofi
Stream #UFC253 on #ESPNPlus ?? https://t.co/dHQ2KWEzdN pic.twitter.com/1XsxOOUnVa
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) September 26, 2020
With this performance, Espino wins his second-straight UFC fight after taking out Justin Frazier via submission back in 2018 to win The Ultimate Fighter: Season 28 Finale. As long as “El Guapo” can stay healthy he should be able to wrestle his way close to the top 15 and make a real run in the UFC’s growing heavyweight faction.
For complete UFC 253 results and coverage click here.