For seven minutes, Lando Vannata made it seem like anything was possible.
The unknown Vannata entered UFC Fight Night 91 as the biggest underdog on the card, matched up as a short-notice replacement with Tony Ferguson, a top-three lightweight on a seven-fight win streak.
And Vannata almost won.
It took Ferguson the better part of two rounds to get his hands on the slippery Vannata, but he made the most of it when he did. Locking on a D'Arce choke from a standing position, Ferguson lowered Vannata to the mat like he was subduing an angry drunk and forced the tap at 2:22 of Round 2.
#UFC Tony Ferguson somete a Lando Vannata en el 2do round con d'arce choke. Suma 8va victoria seguida @elcomercio pic.twitter.com/ObYrJLv8w3
— Gino Alva (@almostgino) July 14, 2016
There were several scary moments for Ferguson, who won his division leading eighth-straight fight.
Right away, Vannata let Ferguson know that he was going to be a problem. The first round was one of the best of the year, a back and forth whirlwind of brutality that saw both men throwing everything from head kicks to spinning back fists.
Ferguson clearly got caught up in the unorthodox style of Vannata, which nearly cost him when he tried punching at him while hopping on one leg. When Vannata let go, Ferguson stumbled right into a head kick that visibly rocked him.
An attempt at a heel hook and an armbar were enough to keep Vannata at bay so that Ferguson could make it to the buzzer.
Vannata might have been gassed out after the wild opening frame, because his output slowed and he offered no defense when Ferguson moved in to set him up for the finishing sequence.
A natural featherweight who was making his UFC debut, stepping in with just 15-days notice in place of Michael Chiesa, Vannata loses for the first time in his young career.
Regardless, it will be a while before fans stop buzzing about his surprising performance.
