Though there is debate about the finishing sequence, Alessandro Costa came away with the win over Matt Schnell in the featured prelim of UFC Vegas 118.
Both men took a cautious approach to start, but Costa started to get his striking going, picking up the pace. Costa landed a combination a couple of minutes in, blasting Schnell with a right hand that made him wobbly before falling flat onto his face.
Costa got on top and started to throw punches that went unanswered, resulting in referee Herb Dean stepping in to stop the fight.
Schnell, however, appeared to scramble into grappling for a takedown after the stoppage, needing to be informed by Dean that the fight was over. Schnell protested the stoppage; however, the result will stand.
Alessandro Costa Gets Bizarre Stoppage Win Over Matt Schnell At UFC Vegas 118
Costa has now won three of his last four. He came into this bout off a performance bonus-earning finish of Stewart Nicoll in April.
Schnell has now lost back-to-back fights and five of his last six.
