Tonight’s UFC Moncton event was headlined by a key light heavyweight matchup featuring former title challenger Volkan Oezdemir taking on surging contender Anthony Smith.
Volkan Oezdemir was last seen in action at January’s UFC 220 event in Boston, where he suffered a second-round TKO loss to current UFC “champ champ” Daniel Cormier.
Prior to the setback, “No Time” had put together a five-fight win streak which saw him earn impressive stoppage victories over Misha Cirkunov and Jimi Manuwa.
Meanwhile, Anthony Smith has gone 2-0 since moving up to light heavyweight. “Lionheart” has scored first-round finishes over former division champions Rashad Evans and Mauricio Rua during that stretch.
Here we go! #UFCMoncton pic.twitter.com/HcZVDMm2Oz
— UFC (@ufc) October 28, 2018
Round one of the UFC Moncton main event begins and Oezdemir takes the center of the octagon. He lands a nice outside low kick and Smith immediately shoots in for a takedown. He press Volkan up against the cage. Oezdemir quickly reverses the position and lands a foot stomp followed by a knee. Another good knee from Volkan. Smith returns fire with one of his own. The fighters break and Smith lands an inside low kick. Volkan charges forward with a flurry but Smith is able to survive and circle out. Oezdemir used a lot of gas there. Smith misses with a front kick attempt. He follows that up with a left hand which lands flush. Volkan eats the shot and walks forward. Both men fire off low kicks. Volkan with a flurry. Smith circles to his right and lands a low kick. Volkan responds with a low kick of his own and then leaps in with an overhand left that just misses. Smith lands a right hand over the top and then a low kick. Volkan takes a poke to the eye and the referee steps in to call a stop to the action. Oezdemir recovers and we restart the UFC Moncton main event. Oezdemir with a head kick and then a flying knee. Smith does well to get off the fence and circle out. Oezdemir cuts him off and lands a left hook. He misses with a body kick and Smith comes in with an elbow. Oezdemir returns fire with an elbow of his own and then a pair of hard low kicks. Smith is pressed up against the cage now. Volkan with some knees from the position. The horn sounds to end round one.
Round two begins and Oezdemir lands a big low kick to start. He follows that up with another chopping blow. Smith side steps and then charges forward with a flurry of punches that sends Volkan back in retreat. He continues to press forward but Volkan is able to use Smith’s momentum against him by shooting in and scoring an easy takedown. Volkan moves to half guard and then quickly to mount. Smith scrambles and looks for a leg lock. Volkan transitions beautifully and winds up taking the back of Smith. Oezdemir with some big shots from the position. Smith attempts to scramble but cannot get back up to his feet. Two minutes remain in round two of the UFC Moncton main event. Volkan with a knee to the body now while continuing told hold Anthony Smith down. “Lionheart” is looking for a sweep but Oezdemir isn’t having it and continues to work in some ground and pound. He begins searching for a rear-naked choke. He gives up on that and switches to punches. Smith looks frustrated. Oezdemir lands some more punches from the position before the horn sounds to end round two.
They exchange, but it's Oezdemir who gets the takedown! #UFCMoncton pic.twitter.com/GsrVu4O1xd
— UFC (@ufc) October 28, 2018
Round three begins and once again Volkan starts things off with a low kick. Smith goes to the body with a kick but Volkan immediately replies with another chopping low kick. Anthony Smith circles and then lands a low kick of his own. Volkan circles and then fires off a kick. Smith misses with a counter combination attempt. Anthony with a right hand. Oezdemir replies with an overhand right. Both men are throwing punches now. Oezdemir looks tired. He wings an elbow but Smith scores a trip. Volkan leaps up but Smith is there to greet him with punches. Volkan returns fire but he is backing up. Anthony Smith fires off a left hook and then a right hand over the top. Volkan retreats and Smith shoots in and lands a takedown. He immediately takes the back of Oezdemir with ninety seconds still remaining in the round. Smith looks for a rear-naked choke. It is tight. Volkan is trying to fight it off. He is going purple. Volkan taps out.
https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFCMoncton?src=hash
LIONHEART! @LionheartSmith taps Volkan in round 3! #UFCMoncton pic.twitter.com/ppttWJ6LdW
— UFC (@ufc) October 28, 2018
Official UFC Moncton Results: Anthony Smith def. Volkan Oezdmir via third-round submission (rear-naked choke)