LFA 22 highlights: A new champion is crowned thanks to a nifty submission

Many people believed Ian Heinisch was on his way to the UFC. All he had to do was the expected and defeat Brazilian import Markus Perez, who was fighting in the U.S. for the first time.

Not so fast.

Heinisch wasted little time at the opening bell, shooting inside and scoring a quick takedown. But Perez patiently worked his way back to the feet, where a slick little transition saw him lock in an arm-triangle choke that he wouldn’t release, rolling with Heinisch to the bottom and finishing it from his back at the 2:14 mark of the opening round to claim the vacant LFA middleweight title.

The bout served as the featured contest of Friday’s LFA 22 event, which aired on AXS TV from 1STBANK Center in Broomfield, Colo.

In the night’s co-feature, two-time cast member on “The Ultimate Fighter” Gilbert Smith (13-6) fought for the final time as a professional, earning a second-round submission win over late replacement Benjamin Smith (15-5).

Check out all of the highlights above.

For more on LFA 22, check out the MMA Events section of the site.