LAS VEGAS, NV – SEPTEMBER 7, 2024: (From left) Nathan Fletcher of England punches out Zygimantas Lamaska of Lithuania during a featherweight bout at UFC Fight Night: The Finals at UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Will third time be a charm for Szygimantas Lamasca, who was hoping to face Nathan Fletcher at UFC Las Vegas 97 on Saturday?
Lamasca was headed to the semifinals of The Ultimate Fighter 32, or at least that’s what the featherweight fighter thought. But he was eventually removed from the bout and held out for the tournament after the Nevada state commission couldn’t sanction the bout due to a minor facial fracture. Then, just two weeks ago, Lamasca faced Nathan Fletcher at UFC Vegas 96, which coincidentally was also the venue for The Ultimate Fighter 32 final.
The match was called off just hours before the game due to health issues for Fletcher, but has since been rebooked for this Saturday’s game, giving Lamasca finally a chance to play.
When the bout finally got underway on Saturday, Fletcher landed two left hands on one leg in the first round. Lamasca defended at first but then lost his balance. Lamasca quickly did damage from his back, slashing Fletcher with his elbow. Lamasca got into top position with a sweep. Fletcher quickly scrambled to get a big scoop takedown. Lamasca used the momentum to get another sweep.
Fletcher, not accepting the bottom position, went to his knees and went for a takedown. Lamasca successfully defended, putting him in an awkward inverted triangle position, but used it to his advantage and getting to his feet. However, it didn’t last long as Fletcher exploded and got another takedown. Fletcher got up and was landing some good ground-and-pound. With little time left, Fletcher moved to the mound, where he finished the round.
The two men quickly grappled in the second round, with Fletcher successfully applying a body lock and then moving to the outside of his leg for an easy takedown, after which Fletcher transitioned to mount position and applied an arm triangle to get the tap.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Nathan Fletcher defeats Zygimantas Lamasca by submission (arm triangle choke), Round 2, 1:14
