With great expectations in a new weight class, Niklas Stolze starts another attempt to get his first victory in the UFC. In the duel with the French ex-soldier Saint Denis, his outstanding jiu-jitsu skills are decisive.
German MMA fighter Niklas Stolze has lost his third fight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) to Frenchman Benoit Saint Denis by submission in the second round. Both fighters had switched to lightweight before the meeting in the Octagon. For Stolze it was the third defeat in a row.
The fight had started promising for the German. The 29-year-old worked on his opponent, who was three years younger, with several low kicks before he started to wrestle him to the ground. During the attempt, Stolze caught his opponent with a knee on the cheek, which left a gash in the Frenchman. The former soldier of a French special unit managed the takedown successfully, but Stolze was able to get up quite quickly on the cage and free himself from the clinch.
The problems started with the second takedown by Saint Denis. In the ground fight, Saint Denis showed his excellent Jiu-Jitsu skills and was able to hold Stolze in a grip for a long time. Stolze was able to fend off the Frenchman's first attempts at submission holds, shortly before the end of the round a stranglehold was placed dangerously deep under the German's chin, the clock then saved him at least for the time being.
A similar picture emerged in the second round. Stolze took control, countering a body kick from the Frenchman with a few clean punches. Slightly rattled by the hits, Saint Denis threw himself into the takedown again, which Stolze caught with a guillotine choke.
Saint Denis played out his power advantages and freed himself from the submission hold. From the clinch he brought Stolze back to the mat and was able to clasp the German's upper body with his legs again and then start the rear-naked choke between the neck and chin. To avoid possible injuries, Stolze tapped out, the fight was decided. The third loss in a row reduces the chances of Stolze having a long-term future in the elite MMA league. With a contract for four fights, the German still has an opportunity to convince the UFC officials to continue working together.
