UFC Fight Night 30 results: Jimy Hettes chokes out Robert Whiteford in second

MANCHESTER – Jimy Hettes’ grappling prowess was on full display in his fourth UFC appearance, and he left a hostile crowd disappointed against Scottish newcomer Robert Whiteford.

After threatening submissions in the first round, Hettes transitioned from one hold to the next to secure a tapout in the second round.

The featherweight bout was part of the preliminary card of today’s UFC Fight Night 30 event at Phones4u Arena in Manchester, England. It streamed on MMAjunkie.com ahead of the main card on FOX Sports 2.

Southpaw Whiteford, who replaced an injured Mike Wilkinson, showed no signs of the jitters that affect so many UFC newcomers, and early on found success striking from distance and in the clinch. Hettes, though, took advantage of the tie-up and tossed him to the mat. There, Hettes threatened with an Americana submission before taking Whiteford’s back.

Hettes sought out back control from the outset of the second frame. He found it, but Whiteford was able to escape. Unfortunately for him, Hettes was waiting with a triangle choke. After a short struggle, White was forced to tap at the 2:17 mark of the round.

“I was hoping I’d land a few more punches, but he hits hard, and I knew he was a tough guy, so I was just trying to get him on his back and put him in awkward positions,” Hettes said after the win. “It threw me for a loop to have such a late change of opponents as they’re both so different. Beggars can’t be choosers, and I was just glad to have a fight.”

Hettes (11-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) is now back on the right track after seeing a two-fight streak snapped by Marcus Brimage in his previous outing. Whiteford (10-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC), meanwhile, suffers his first loss in 10 fights and three years.

Up-to-the-minute UFC Fight Night 30 results include:

• Jimy Hettes def. Robert Whiteford via submission (triangle choke) – Round 2, 2:17
• Brad Scott def. Michael Kuiper via submission (standing guillotine choke) – Round 1, 4:17

For complete coverage of UFC Fight Night 30, stay tuned to the UFC Events section of the site.

Matt Erickson contributed to this report on-site in Manchester.