Cirkunov breaks opponents jaw with rear naked choke

In the second fight on the UFC Fight Night 82 main card, Latvian fighter Misha Cirkunov dominated opponent Alex Nicholson and ended the fight with a jaw-breaking rear naked choke. Cirkunov was able to take the fight to the mat easily in the first round and dominant ground position. Another takedown in the second round led to him taking the back. Although he wasn’t able to sink his choke under the jaw of his opponent, his power was enough to get a tap after Nicholson’s jaw apparently broke.

The play by play from MMAJunkie:

Round 1 – Cirkunov walks patiently forward and avoids a few high kicks from Nicholson. Cirkunov in the center, walking forward. He lands a few punches up top and then avoids a spinning strike from Nicholson. Cirkunov compact and simple in his efforts. Nicholson flashy, but he’s not landing yet. Cirkunov holding the center. He rushes forward and slips another spinning strike. he trie to gran a standing arm triangle but eventually has to back away. He does score a knee as he exits. Cirkunov just miss a high kick. He slips another spinning punch and scores a takedown. Nicholson crawls to his feet. He lands to the groin and gets a warning as Cirkunov takes a break. Nicholson throwing with power, but Cirkunov the one finding his range. Nicholson leaping in and out but can’t seem to land flush. Another spinning strike misses from Nicholson. He misses a right, and Cirkunov slips under and drives him to the floor. Cirkunov tries to attack the arm. not there, so he delivers a big elbow. Nicholson crawls up at the bell, but MMAjunkie gives it to Cirkunov, 10-9.

Round 2 – Cirkunov with a big left-right combo to start. Nicholson still moving well and lands a counter right. Cirkunov kind of flat-footed, but he’s just driving forward and landing. Takedown from Cirkunov. He slips to the back as Nicholson works to his knees. Punches from Cirkunov as he tries to get Nicholson to open up. Cirkunov gets his arm around the chin and cranks, and this fight is over. Nicholson immediately grabs his jaw.

source: mmajunkie.com