Ultimate Fighter Brazil alum Yan Cabral made his official UFC debut on Wednesday at UFC Fight Night 29 and he defeated David Mitchell by unanimous decision.
In the opening minute of the fight, Cabral was able to get the fight to the ground and began to look for submissions in various positions. Mitchell would defend the attempts and Cabral began to land punches from top position.
After softening up Mitchell, Cabral was able to transition to the back of Mitchell. He would give up the position after being unable to get a submission and returned to top position.
He would pass to the side control position and once again appeared to be looking for the back of Mitchell. He would lose the position as Mitchell was able to get back to his feet. After Mitchell missed a spinning back fist, Cabral attempted to get the fight to the ground before the round ended. However, Mitchell would stop the attempts and the fight moved into the second round.
At the start of the second round, Cabral landed a right hand that dropped Mitchell and immediately got the back. He would be unable to get the submission and ended up in half guard position. Cabral attempted to lock in an arm triangle choke but Mitchell would be able to stop the attempt and get back to his feet.
They would grapple against the fence and Mitchell would take the fight to the ground by attempting a kimura submission. Cabral escaped the submission and the two would have a ground battle until the bell sounded to end the second round.
Mitchell opened up the final round by coming forward and looking for his strikes. However, Cabral would take the fight to the ground and Mitchell looked for submissions from his back. Cabral would be able to pass his position to the full mount and Mitchell gave up his back.
After being unable to get a rear-naked choke, he lost the position and go back to side control on the mat. Cabral would keep the fight on the ground for the remainder of the round and Mitchell was able to stop several submission attempts.
This is the first time that Cabral (11-0) has gone the distance in a fight with all of his previous victories coming by submission in the first or second round.
UFC Fight Night 29 Results:
Yan Cabral def. David Mitchell via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Chris Cariaso def. Iliarde Santos via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 4:31
Alan Patrick def. Garett Whiteley via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 3:54