UFC 118 at the APEX featured twelve bouts, seven of which ended in stoppages. The event was characterized by early finishes across multiple divisions, including strawweight, flyweight, and heavyweight. Several fighters secured victories in the first round through technical knockouts and submissions, demonstrating aggressive striking and grappling skills.
Notable performances included quick victories by Ketlen Souza and Joanderson Brito. The event concluded with a last-second submission by Bryce Mitchell in the final round. These results impacted division rankings and highlighted the effectiveness of clinical striking and methodical grappling transitions throughout the entire fight card.
UFC 118: A Night of Instant Finishes – All 7 Stoppages Re-capped
If you were looking for high-stakes action and emphatic conclusions, UFC 118 at the APEX delivered in spades. With a total of 12 bouts on the card, the fighters made it clear they weren’t looking to leave their fate in the hands of the judges, resulting in seven spectacular finishes.
From first-round blitzes to a last-second submission, here is a breakdown of the carnage that defined the night.
The First-Round Blitz
The card started with an aggressive pace that never really slowed down. Ketlen Souza set the tone early in the strawweight division, needing just 94 seconds to dismantle Ariane Carnelossi with a precise head kick followed by a flurry of ground strikes.
The grappling exchanges were equally fast. Chelsea Chandler showcased her composure by transitioning directly into an armbar against Priscila Cachoeira, while Joanderson Brito silenced his critics with a slick guillotine choke to end his night in under five minutes.
Rising Stars and Veteran Resilience
The flyweight division saw a major statement from Edgar Chairez, who dropped Bruno Silva with a crisp uppercut before sealing the deal with a rear-naked choke. Meanwhile, Alessandro Costa proved that short-notice opportunities are meant to be seized, putting away veteran Matt Schnell in a clinical display of striking.
The heavyweight clash between Iwo Baraniewski and Junior Tafa lived up to the hype, with Baraniewski proving his pedigree. By methodically chopping down Tafa’s lead leg, he opened up the path to a TKO victory that firmly places him in the conversation for top-15 status.
The Last-Second Stunner
The highlight of the night belonged to Bryce Mitchell, who provided the ultimate “never-say-die” moment. With just eight seconds remaining in the final round of a competitive scrap with Santiago Luna, Mitchell locked in a tight arm-triangle choke, snatching a submission victory just as the final bell approached.
Full Results Breakdown:
- Ketlen Souza def. Ariane Carnelossi via TKO (1:34, R1)
- Chelsea Chandler def. Priscila Cachoeira via Submission (3:42, R1)
- Joanderson Brito def. Jordan Leavitt via Submission (4:19, R1)
- Edgar Chairez def. Bruno Silva via Submission (4:13, R1)
- Alessandro Costa def. Matt Schnell via TKO (2:32, R1)
- Iwo Baraniewski def. Junior Tafa via TKO (2:25, R1)
- Bryce Mitchell def. Santiago Luna via Submission (4:52, R3)
Want to see these finishes in action? Check out our full highlight reel above for a closer look at the technique behind the stoppages.
What was your “Fight of the Night” performance? Head over to the Rnd5Media forums or hit the comments section below to let us know who you think earned a spot in the updated rankings.
Check out the video highlights from UFC 118 below.