‘TUF 21’ Finale Prelims: Josh Samman Choke Submits Bloodied Caio Magalhaes

The time might be right to buy some Josh Samman stock.

Samman submitted Caio Magalhaes with a first-round rear-naked choke at “The Ultimate Fighter 21” Finale on Sunday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Magalhaes (9-2, 4-2 UFC) conceded defeat 2:52 into round one, as he was finished for the first time in his 11-fight career.

A graduate of Season 17 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” Samman (12-2, 3-0 UFC) zeroed in on the Brazilian’s legs with kicks and bloodied his nose with a stinging jab. The MMA Masters standout then countered a kick with a takedown, jumped to Magalhaes’ back and cinched a standing rear-naked choke. “Hellboy” collapsed to the canvas with Samman still attached and tapped in a panic soon after, his arms flailing wildly as blood streamed from his face.

Samman, 27, has rattled off four consecutive victories, all of them finishes.

Sanders Springs Upset, Sinks Doane

World Series of Fighting and Bellator MMA alum Jerrod Sanders snapped a two-fight losing streak with a unanimous decision over onetime King of the Cage titleholder Russell Doane in a three-round undercard tussle at 135 pounds. All three judges scored it for Sanders (15-3, 1-2 UFC): 29-28, 30-27 and 29-28.

Doane (14-5, 2-2 UFC) elected to grapple with the NCAA All-American wrestler, and the match did not play out as he had hoped. Sanders scrambled to the Hawaiian’s back in all three rounds, bothered him with chokes and kept his fists busy. Doane had his moments but surrendered dominant positions at inopportune times and watched a potential victory slip through his fingers.

Smith Dominates Returning Miller

Arizona Combat Sports representative Trevor Smith had his way with former International Fight League champion Dan Miller, as he cruised to a unanimous verdict in their preliminary middleweight encounter. Smith (13-6, 3-3 UFC) swept the scorecards with 30-25, 30-25 and 30-26 marks.

In the cage for the first time since March 2013, Miller (14-8, 6-7 UFC) punched well in combination from a distance but had no luck keeping the Strikeforce veteran at bay. Smith overwhelmed him in the clinch, executed takedowns and let loose with his ground-and-pound. Short punches, elbows and forearm strikes were all on the menu.

Miller, 34, has lost four of his last five bouts.

Sullivan Grinds Past Waters

Takedowns, ground-and-pound and an active top game carried onetime Cage Fury Fighting Championships titleholder George Sullivan to a unanimous decision over Dominic Waters in a three-round undercard battle at 170 pounds. All three cageside judges scored it for Sullivan (17-4, 3-1 UFC): 29-27, 30-25 and 29-28.

Rounds one and two were not competitive, as Sullivan rattled the newcomer with punches on the feet, punished him with elbows on the ground and dominated their grappling exchanges. A short-notice replacement for the injured Marcio Alexandre Jr., Waters (9-3, 0-1 UFC) mounted a modest comeback in the third round, where he scrambled to Sullivan’s back and threatened with rear-naked chokes. His efforts, however, proved unsuccessful.

Sullivan has posted nine wins across his past 10 appearances.

Gates Bounces Montague in 96 Seconds

Former Tachi Palace Fights champion Willie Gates disposed of Millennia MMA’s Darrell Montague with first-round strikes in a preliminary flyweight scrap. Montague (13-5, 0-3 UFC) succumbed to blows 96 seconds into round one, as he suffered his third straight defeat.

Gates (12-5, 1-1 UFC) staggered his onetime training partner with a pair of straight rights, swarmed with follow-up punches and drove him to the ground in distress. Montague offered little in the way of defense, as Gates blasted away with punches, forced him to turtle and closed the deal with a series of knee strikes to the body and elbows to the head.

The 28-year-old Gates has won six of his last seven fights.