5 best finishes from UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Gastelum

#4. Ramiz Brahimaj kicks off UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Gastelum with a first-round submission

UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Gastelum kicked off with a welterweight matchup between Ramiz Brahimaj and Sasha Palatnikov.

Chopped it up w/ #UFC welterweight Ramiz Brahimaj for @sportskeedaMMA ahead of his fight against Sasha Palatnikov at #UFCVegas34 on August 21Brahimaj on his development through 2021, feels a different kind of hunger against Palatnikov📺 https://t.co/d8pFgA6RYz pic.twitter.com/NaXA2MpYVN

— John Hyon Ko (@JHKMMA) August 9, 2021

Brahimaj was quick to establish control and shot for a takedown in the first few seconds of the fight. Although Palatnikov got back up soon enough, Brahimaj maintained the pressure and took him back down immediately.

Ramiz Brahimaj displayed exceptional skills on the ground, gradually increasing his control. He took Palatnikov's back and locked in a rear-naked choke. Palatnikov showed heart by refusing to tap and constantly looked for a way to turn the situation around. However, Brahimaj's grip on the hold was too strong, and Palatnikoc soon fell unconscious. Brahimaj won the fight via a rear-naked choke submission midway through the first round.

Brahimaj sleeps Palatnikov #UFCVegas34 in a beautiful performance. pic.twitter.com/9gkgdyYKhX

— J (@JUchiha909) August 21, 2021

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#3. Alexandre Pantoja submits Brandon Royval in flyweight bout

UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Gastelum

Alexandre Pantoja faced Brandon Royval in the first fight on the main card at UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Gastelum.

Within the first few exchanges, Pantoja shot for a takedown and took his opponent's back. The two scrambled for a while, but Pantoja was unable to slip his arm under Royval's neck.

The fighters got back on their feet and traded shots, going toe-to-toe. Royval also secured a takedown, but Pantoja got back up quickly.

In the second round, Pantoja took Royval's back yet again. Scrambling off his back, Pantoja remained patient and combined strikes to eventually lock in a rear-naked choke. 'The Cannibal' won the fight via submission 1:48 into round two at UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Gastelum.

UFC Vegas 34 video: Alexandre Pantoja calls for title shot after tapping out Brandon Royval with nasty rear-naked choke (@DamonMartin) https://t.co/OsUrcaNEAl pic.twitter.com/9Zh80Yu5AP

— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) August 22, 2021

After the fight, No.3-ranked flyweight Pantoja called out champion Brandon Moreno, part of the UFC's commentary team. Both fighters came off as respectful but also seemed excited to test each other inside the octagon.