Mark Ewen taken down early but gets last laugh with first-round submission win

Sebastian Di Franco is a striking specialist who holds a karate black belt and jiu-jitsu purple belt. Di Franco was the 2019 IMMAF European Open Lightweight Gold Medalist and has finishes in half of his victories. Di Franco has lost three of his last four, including a loss to Connor Hughes in the first round of the lightweight tournament in May.

Mark Ewen comes into tonight with a 6-2 MMA record, and he has scored finishes in all six of his wins. The Scottish native trains at Higher Level Falkirk alongside Stevie Ray and Mark Diakiese. Ewen also fell in a first-round matchup in May, coming up short against Alex Chizov.

Which of these two will be victorious in this lightweight alternate bout?

Round 1

Body kick from Di Franco to start, with Ewen going low with kicks. Di Franco grabs the leg and briefly gets a single-leg takedown. Ewen gets up quickly but he’s still in Di Franco’s grip near the fence. Di Franco drives him into the fence. Di Franco gets the action back to the ground. Di Franco tries to get to Ewen’s back, but Ewen has wrist control. Di Franco controlling the left leg of Ewen. Di Franco tries to get to the back again, but Ewen is making things difficult for him to get full positioning.

Ewen successfully counters to get into the top position. Ewen’s got one of Di Franco’s legs pinned, as well as his right arm. Ewen with a short elbow. Ewen might be attempting to set up a D’Arce choke. He is! And he gets the tap!

https://x.com/PFLMMA/status/1971602122975134133

Mark Ewen comes back from the initial takedown, and he manages to lock in quite the D’Arce for the win!

OFFICIAL RESULT

Mark Ewen def. Sebastien Di Franco via submission (D’Arce choke) (R1, 3:18) in a lightweight alternate bout.