Overview
- Robert Valentin defeated debutant Julien Leblanc by rear-naked choke at 2:26 of Round 1 on Saturday in Winnipeg.
- Valentin closed distance early, landed a takedown, secured back control with a body triangle, and tightened the choke for the tap.
- He wept in the Octagon and dedicated the win to his mother, saying she died during his last fight week.
- The result ended a three-fight UFC skid for the TUF 32 finalist and eased pressure on his standing with the promotion.
- Valentin credited coach Dewey Cooper and the Xtreme Couture team for steadying his camp, while Leblanc, 34, saw a 10-2 regional rise stall in his UFC debut.