UFC 127: Perosh and Zhang Make Short Work for Facebook Prelims

Anthony Perosh Subs Tom Blackledge

It was Australian pride on display in the UFC prelims on Facebook with Anthony Perosh submitting Tom Blackledge with a quick rear naked choke in the first round of their match-up at UFC 127.

Coming from a grappling background, Perosh had every intention of getting his opponent to the ground, but didn’t look like a fish out of water on his feet either. After Blackledge tried to go for a guillotine, Perosh had the fight exactly where he wanted it.

The Australian transitioned to mount with little resistance from Blackledge, and after throwing a few haymakers, the Wolfslair trained fighter rolled to try to stay out of trouble. From there however, it was from the frying pan into the fire.

Once Blackledge was on his belly, Perosh sunk his arm under the chin and synched up the hold, forcing his opponent to tap before going to sleep.

“It’s an enormous relief,” Perosh said about winning in front of his home country fans. “It’s my first win at light heavyweight, this is where I want to be, this is where I’m strong, and this is where I’m successful. I hope it’s the start of things to come.”

Tiequan Zhang made short work of Jason Reinhardt in his return to the UFC, submitting the veteran fighter with a guillotine choke in under a minute in their featherweight bout.

Tiequan Zhang chokes Jason Reinhardt

Reinhardt, who had been training at Wanderlei Silva’s gym in Las Vegas, came out in aggressive fashion much like the Brazilian does in many of his fights. Unfortunately, the results were not the same as when Silva generally blitzes his opponents.

Zhang clipped Reinhardt with a quick couple of shots, backing him off and once they clinched against the cage, the Chinese born fighter saw an opening and took full advantage. Dropping into a guillotine choke, Zhang locked up the hold and just as he was passing out, Reinhardt tapped, signaling the end of the fight.

After 2 fights in the WEC at lightweight, Zhang made his featherweight debut a successful one, but not without some hard work.

“Dropping weight was really hard,” Zhang said about his featherweight debut.

Zhang will continue on in the UFC, while Reinhardt’s return was short lived and he may exit the promotion once again.

Damon Martin is the lead staff writer and radio host for MMAWeekly.com.
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