Felice Herrig submits Kailin Curran in the first round at UFC Chicago
Felice Herrig seems poised to crack the strawweight top 15 after making quick work of UFC Fight Night opponent Kailin Curran on Saturday night in front of a home crowd in Chicago.
Felice was very active from the start as she landed strong kicks to her opponent's body. Curran tried to push the pace with a left-punch, right-kick combo, but Herrig caught the kick and forced the fight to the canvas. From there, Herrig used her impressive jiu-jitsu to take Curran's back and force her arm under Curran's chin.
Curran valiantly tried to fight the submission off but had no choice but to tap. John McCarthy stepped in and called the fight at the 1:59 mark of the first round.
Felice Herrig clamps down on a rear naked choke and gives it that anaconda squeeze until Curran taps! #UFCChicago https://t.co/XAjib2VJ3n
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) July 24, 2016
"I think people underestimate my jiu-jitsu game but I come from a really strong jiu-jitsu gym," Herrig said. "Everyone at Team Curran has made me a really solid jiu-jitsu player, and then I also had my best friend, Carla Esparza, come out and help me with my wrestling ... I'm just happy to be here!"
The win improves Herrig's record to 11-6 overall and 2-1 inside the Octagon, with both wins coming by way of submission. Curran has been finished in all three of her UFC losses.
