December 6th, 2009
Edgar weathers Veach
World-ranked lightweight Frankie Edgar held an advantage on the feet, and his powerful right hand paved the way to a second-round rear-naked choke submission victory over the previously unbeaten Matt Veach.
Veach opened the bout with a sizzling takedown, as he scooped up his opponent, hoisted him onto his shoulders, ran across the Octagon and slammed him down hard. Edgar was unfazed and battled back to his feet, but he ended up on his back moments later. With blood dripping from his nose, the Toms River, N.J., native decided to try and bait Veach into trading with him. The decision worked, as Veach had a difficult time getting close enough to his foe to score a desired takedown. Edgar used deft footwork, a textbook sprawl and decent punching to keep Veach honest.
Veach looked a bit winded at the close of the opening round but quickly regained steam in the second. Edgar stuffed the double-leg and pressed down on Veach’s head to thwart whatever offense he had in mind. Edgar then pushed off and separated, and once he created enough room to strike, a perfect right cross sent Veach staggering across the Octagon; he eventually fell against the cage. Edgar, smelling blood, pounced on his wounded foe and unloaded a barrage of punches.
Veach defended well, but he could not escape and ultimately surrendered his back. Edgar quickly secured a picture-perfect rear-naked choke, coaxing the tapout 2 minutes, 22 seconds into the second round.
“I kind of had a slow start,” Edgar said. “He’s a strong dude, came in, he was game. But I made my adjustments. Second round, I felt a lot better and I was able to finish him.”