UFC Vegas 15 video: Jonathan Pearce pounds out Kai Kamaka III when choke eludes

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Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC Kai Kamaka III refused to give Jonathan Pearce his neck after losing momentum on the mat, so Pearce used his fists and pounded out Kamaka III for the finish at UFC Vegas 15.
Referee Dan Miragliotta intervened at the 4:28 mark of the second round as Kamaka III’s head pinballed as Pearce expertly used back control to deny any escape.
Check out the finish in the main card opener at UFC APEX on Saturday.

WHAT A PERFORMANCE by @JSPMMA!!#UFCVegas15 live on ESPNews and E+ pic.twitter.com/YZ5DfSA4qj
— UFC (@ufc) November 29, 2020​

The TKO was no easy work for Pearce, who got all he could handle on his feet in the first round of the bout. Even when he was able to threaten Kamaka III’s back, a lightning-fast reversal put him on the bottom.
Kamaka III landed several punishing blows in the first round. But in the second, he tired as Pearce set up takedowns with punches and then quickly advanced position. Several times, Pearce took the back and threatened a choke. Kamaka III opted to control Pearce’s choke hand and use his head as a shock absorber for the punches. That staved off the end for a little while, but when he couldn’t escape from the back mount, Miragliotta had little choice but to call it off.
Pearce, a Contender Series vet, picks up his first UFC win after a loss to Joe Lauzon in his debut at UFC on ESPN 6. Kamaka III goes back to the drawing board after a “Fight of the Night” win over Tony Kelley in his debut at UFC 252.


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