Round of the year? These fighters fired everything in furious 1st
Tony Ferguson and Lando Vannata gave UFC fans a contender for "Round of the Year" with a furious first Wednesday night.
Ferguson, the top-ranked lightweight contender, got more than he bargained for from Vannata at UFC Fight Night in Sioux Falls, S.D. An injury replacement for Michael Chiesa, Vannata was 8-0 in his pro career and looking to "shock the world" in his UFC debut.
Just spoke to Landon Vannata, who faces Tony Ferguson in 10 days. He sounds excited and says he's ready to "shock the world". #UFC
— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) July 4, 2016
He didn't waste any time, either, bringing the fight to Ferguson, dropping his hands and daring the fearsome veteran to do his worst. What followed was a five-minute firefight in which both men hit the mat and each came close to being beaten.
Lando Vannata came to FIGHT! Only a few minutes in to the co-main and we're getting a show! #UFCSiouxFalls https://t.co/7ha1Pyc49E
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) July 14, 2016
THIS FIGHT IS ??? #UFCSiouxFalls https://t.co/bSCsNzTZRd
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) July 14, 2016
Bloodied but unbowed, Vannata came out just as bold in Round 2, and paid the price. First, Ferguson tagged him with a Superman punch to the face, which he took without falling.
Don't walk up to @TonyFergusonXT w/ your hands down b/c #SuperManPunch #UFCSiouxFalls pic.twitter.com/FhxMGCAsCk
— UFC (@ufc) July 14, 2016
But then Ferguson caught him in a submission hold and locked it in to force the tap.
Ferguson walked away with the win, but Vannata's tough challenge and that first round left everyone talking.
WHAT A FIGHT!!!!! #UFCSiouxFalls pic.twitter.com/yzoXq8ganW
— UFC (@ufc) July 14, 2016
Tony Ferguson and Lando Vannata landed a combined 106 significant strikes in less than 8 minutes#UFCSiouxFalls
— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) July 14, 2016
Here's what @SixGunGibson told me the day Vannata got this fight. Very high on him. pic.twitter.com/4HFvJjuXzX
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) July 14, 2016
I didn't want to hype him up before the fight but Lando Vannata is one of my best training partners ?? #UFCSiouxFalls
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) July 14, 2016
Lando showed he deserves to be in the UFC! I'm proud of you buddy ??#UFCSiouxFalls
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) July 14, 2016
No one told Vannta he's the underdog. We got ourself a fight!!! #UFCSiouxFalls
— The Spartan (@EliasTheodorou) July 14, 2016
