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It didn’t take long for Vancouver to crown its first Canadian Ultimate Fighting Championship winner.
Toronto’s Claude Patrick (12-1) got huge applause from fans at GM Place Saturday night as he disposed of his opponent, Brazilian Richardo Funch, early in the second round by guillotine choke.
Patrick was making his UFC debut and received a warm welcome from fans as he made his way to the cage.
With the stadium still filling up, Patrick – fighting in the night’s second bout – managed to take down Funch midway through the first and came out of the round ahead on the scorecards after landing a few dangerous left hands in a dominant round.
The fight almost never made it to the second, as Patrick sunk in a deep guillotine on “The Golden Boy” with 10 seconds left.
Funch managed to survive, but the attempt served as a precursor for what was to come.
Patrick took the fight to the ground again attempted a second submission choke in the middle round.
This time, he made it count.
With no other choice but to tap, Funch gave up at the 1:48 mark of the second round.
The win had thousands of fans at GM Place raise to their feet while an appreciative Patrick kneeled in the centre of the Octagon and offered his thanks.
