Adam Wieczorek Pulls Off Only the Second Ever Omoplata in UFC History Last Night and He Did it in Style…
One of the joys of MMA is how unpredictable it is. There are so many different ways to finish an opponent that fighters always have to be on the top of their game, as they learn to deal with different threats. Although we all love a classic KO, there’s something magical about an incredible submission win.
The skill factor involved in getting a successful choke or body lock is very high. Although the likes of guillotines and armbars happen regularly in MMA fights, there are some submissions that are almost mythical because they are so rare.
One of these is the omoplata. The only person who has ever successfully executed one in the UFC was Ben Saunders. However, now Adam Wieczorek has managed to pull off the second ever omoplata in UFC history, by finishing Arjan Bhullar, at UFC on Fox: 29 in Glendale, Arizona.
What is it?
This submission is so rare in MMA that it is probably worth explaining what it actually is. Basically, it’s a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu shoulder lock technique. The attacker utilizes their legs and hips to manipulate their victim’s shoulder joint around, to its maximum degree of motion.
It’s incredibly technical and chances are that unless you actually have a BJJ background you won’t be overly familiar with it. Well, Wieczorek definitely is. The Polish fighter was the underdog coming into his fight against Arjan Bhullar. This didn’t stop him pulling off the move against the highly-rated Canadian.
Showdown
Of Indian Sikh descent, Bhullar made the headlines after the UFC granted him permission to wear a turban on his walkout. A former Olympian freestyle wrestler, he’s been given a promotional push by the UFC of late. True to form, he dominated the early exchanges against his Polish opponent.
Bhullar followed through on early punches by taking Wieczorek down. The Pole was stuck on his back until the referee stood the pair back up with 40 seconds left in round one. The second round was going the same way, with Wieczorek on top, dominating his opponent. However, Bhullar didn’t expect the Omoplata. An insane highlight reel moment for Wieczorek.
OMOPLATA!!!
Adam Wieczorek gets the omoplata submission against Bhullar in round 2 at #UFCGlendale!! WOW!!!! pic.twitter.com/GvG92SgomE
— UFC (@ufc) April 14, 2018
Elsewhere
It was a busy night in Glendale. In the main event, Dustin Poirier finished Justin Gaethje in the fourth round of an instant classic. The pair traded kicks and punches in a breathless back and forth fight. Fans had high expectations for these two all-action fighters, and it did not disappoint. Now Poirier is as close to a title shot as he has ever been.
Carlos Condit was submitted by Alex ‘Cowboy’ Oliveira. In another brutal fight, Condit looked every inch his meanest self but was forced to tap out when ‘Cowboy’ locked in the guillotine. It was an unfortunate end to the fight for Condit, but Oliveira will be very pleased with his night’s work.
‘The Karate Hottie’ Michelle Waterson also got back to winning ways, by taking a split decision over Courtney Casey. It was a much-needed win for Waterson who was coming off the back of two straight defeats. All in all, it was a very entertaining night in Glendale, with a brilliant main event. The Omoplata was worth the price of admission on its own.
