Nick Denis looked to be fully in control, but Roland Delorme showed off an iron chin and excellent recovery skills to come back and submit Denis with just one second left in the first round. Denis was blasting away on Delorme and rightfully should have finished him with two monster knees, but Delorme persevered. He came right back with some shots that wobbled Denis, finally got his takedown, and immediately locked on a rear naked choke that elicited a tap just before the horn.
Both fighters threw a combination early, and Delorme immediately looked for a takedown. Denis fought it off, and threw one of his patented standing elbows. Delorme went for another throw, but Denis reversed it and landed some ground and pound. Delorme grabbed an armbar but Denis slammed is way out of it. Delorme got back to his feet and two exchanged in close against the cage. Denis opened up with a combination that briefly dropped Delorme, and landed two massive knees. Delorme was dazed, but still in it somehow. Denis took it to the ground and worked in Delorme's guard. Delorme was hunting for a sub from the bottom, and Denis let him up.
Delorme came right back though, and landed three big shots on the feet to wobble Denis. Delorme finally got the hip toss takedown and and immediately locked up a rear naked choke. Denis tapped with one second to go in the round.
Denis came into the bout looking to build on his 22-second knockout of Joseph Sandoval at UFC on FX 1. Delorme came in as a late replacement for Johnny Bedford and was looking for his second straight UFC win as well.