Latest news with #YadierdelValle
USA Today
20-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Cuba's Yadier del Valle proud to achieve childhood dream of debuting in UFC
Cuba's Yadier del Valle proud to achieve childhood dream of debuting in UFC Show Caption Hide Caption UFC's Yadier del Valle proud to shine in octagon debut at UFC Vegas 106 UFC Fight Night 256 winner Yadier del Valle talks to MMA Junkie and other reporters post-fight after his first-round TKO of Connor Matthews. LAS VEGAS – Yadier del Valle just achieved his childhood dream – having a successful UFC debut. The Cuban prospect stopped Connor Matthews in the first round of their contest this past Saturday on the preliminary card of UFC Fight Night 256, which took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. After connecting with some heavy shots, del Valle (9-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) took the fight to the ground and submitted Matthews (7-4 MMA, 0-3 UFC) with a rear-naked choke. The win was one he'd envisioned for a long time. "I feel very happy," del Valle said at the UFC Fight Night 256 post-fight press conference. "I just achieved a dream I had since I was a child. I'm where I wanted to be, and I have the best job a fighter could ask for. I feel realized. I feel like a doctor graduating after studying all life to graduate. I feel graduated and happy." The fight played out exactly like del Valle thought it would. Although known for his striking, del Valle wanted to make a point by winning by submission. "I saw that I had a very good position since he game me his back, funny enough, before entering the fight, we were practicing that position in the locker room," del Valle said. "So simply the opportunity opened up, I locked tight the rear-naked choke, and I squeezed. I knew there was a submission."
USA Today
17-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC Fight Night 256 video: Yadier del Valle makes quick work of Connor Matthews in debut
UFC Fight Night 256 video: Yadier del Valle makes quick work of Connor Matthews in debut Yadier del Valle needed less than three minutes to win his UFC debut. At UFC Fight Night 256, del Valle (9-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) submitted Connor Matthews (7-4 MMA, 0-3 UFC) with a rear-naked choke at 2:54 of Round 1. There was a feeling out process on the feet where del Valle landed hard leg kicks. He took Matthews down and eventually took the New Englander's back where he locked in the choke and got the tap. Cuba's Del Valle, 28, continues to build on the momentum he gained through an insane back-and-forth brawl vs. Antonio Monteiro on Dana White's Contender Series. Saturday's win was his third career submission. Matthews, 32, could find himself on the chopping block after the loss. The defeat was his third in as many UFC attempts. He was finished in all three. Up-to-the-minute UFC Fight Night 256 results
