Matt Schnell stood his ground in one of the craziest rounds in UFC history.
A contestant on ‘The Ultimate Fighter 24’, the MMA veteran is set to return this Saturday at UFC Kansas City when he meets the formerly retired Jimmy Flick. The Fight Night card features Ian Machado Garry vs. Carlos Prates in the main event.
Schnell initially laid down the gloves following a submission loss to Cody Durden last September, however, ‘Danger’ couldn’t hang up his career on that performance, asking the UFC for another fight.
Having fought the best in the world for years, including current champion Alexandre Pantoja and #1 contender Brandon Royval, Schnell’s career has been one for the books.
Schnell’s greatest highlight came in his most recent victory – a ‘fight of the night’ and round of the year contender turned in against Chinese knockout artist Sumudaerji in July 2022.
Matt Schnell was wobbled 6 times in three minutes in last win
Schnell entered his fight at UFC Long Island as a +225 underdog. His opponent Sumudaerji had finished 13 out of his 16 wins by knockout. During their fight, Schnell was at one point a +3000 underdog to win on the live betting lines.
Schnell’s chin has failed him in other fights against Rob Font and Steve Erceg but his ability to recover held up tremendously on the night.
After winning the first round, Schnell stumbled as Sumudaerji stepped in with an explosive left hand 30 seconds into round 2. 13 seconds later, Sumudaerji stunned with a right hand off the break.
Visibly rocked twice, Schnell walked forward like a madman, unbothered by Sumudaerji’s offense. Schnell ate another brutal left hand that got his attention. Schnell continued to press regardless of what was being thrown his way.
90 seconds into the second round, Sumudaerji dropped Schnell with a left hand with Schnell diving for his legs. Schnell returned to his feet and would have been downed with an elbow had he not maintained his balance by keeping a hand on the mat.
Schnell tagged the Chinese fighter with a few shots before nearly being knocked down again. Sumudaerji swarmed Schnell with ‘Danger’ firing back.
Matt Schnell choked out Sumudaerji in one of the greatest UFC comebacks of all time
The tide would eventually turn for Schnell with two minutes left to go in the round. After landing a right hand over the top, Schnell secured a much-needed takedown as the commentators went wild.
Schnell got into full mount and punished Sumudaerji with ground and pound, landing massive elbows and punches. Schnell chased the finish, bloodying Sumudaerji before he eventually rolled over.
From his back, Schnell landed more elbows before attempting his signature triangle submission. In a matter of seconds, Schnell choked out his opponent unconscious in a pool of blood.
“That might be one of the greatest comebacks we’ve ever seen,” commentator Paul Felder said following the submission.
Hearing the roar of the crowd, Matt Schnell took home a $50,000 bonus for fight of the night at UFC Long Island in a moment the flyweight will never forget.
