Issue 185

British submission specialist Paul Sass explains why he’s happy to ditch the trademark triangle finish in favor of the heel hook, so long as he remains unbeaten.

After amassing a seven-fight run of triangle submission wins to open up his career, it’s no surprise that Brit Paul Sass has been dubbed something of a specialist. But now it seems the unassuming UFC prospect is out to replicate his Pythagoras-inspired world record run with a succession of heel hooks.

The Team Kaobon lightweight required little more than a minute before he wrapped his anaconda legs around suspecting but seemingly defenseless Michael Johnson on the UFC Live card in Washington DC. The Missouri ‘Menace’ knew all too well what Sass’ gameplan would be and tried to keep the fight standing.

But once the 23-year-old had his back on the canvas and Johnson in guard the writing was on the wall.

“I actually went out there aiming for a triangle submission,” Sass claims, “but I am happy with any submission victory. From the start I just wanted to take the fight to the floor. I went in there looking to pull guard, but I knew it would be tough as he is a good wrestler.

“When I finally got hold of his heel, as he tried to jump away, I knew I had something. I tried to roll him into it first but never quite had the heel locked into place. So I released his leg a little and turned to my back again. He’s experienced so he wasn’t moving too much, which is what I wanted, so I tried rolling into it again but still never quite had it.

“I was working on heel hooks with my teammate, Terry Etim, shortly before the fight and so I knew I just had to be patient and wait for the chance to get a tighter grip.

So I rolled back over once more and this time he tried to pull away, as he did I pulled his heel into my armpit and really turned the ankle into me. When I rolled into it for the third time I knew he would have to tap.”

Sass accepts that Johnson edged the opening minute, using his sharper boxing skills and wrestling footwork to keep him at bay, with the Brit actually loading but missing wildly with a flying knee and two spinning elbows. But Sass says his offensive strikes are simply geared towards breaking down the distance to force the takedown rather than to inflict damage.

“I actually have good stand-up, I think,” Sass states. “I train every day with Terry Etim, Paul Kelly, Paul Taylor and Mark Scanlon, and I train Muay Thai four times a week – but right now I am more confident on my back and so I just throw shots to get close enough to pull guard.

“Throwing spinning elbows and flying knees closes down the space quickly and, worst case scenario, I’ll get taken down by my opponent, which just gets me to where I want to be.”

Yet, surprisingly, when asked what submission he fancies next, Sass reveals an eagerness to register his first career knockout.

“I work hard at my stand-up so it would be great to win by knockout or TKO through strikes next. That would show people that I am more than capable standing up too, but right now I am so new to the UFC that I just want to keep winning and entertaining the fans.

“The main thing for me is that the fans enjoy it, Dana White said in the press conference afterwards that he was happy with my performance, and I am still winning. Those are the things which matter most.

”And as for a possible next opponent, he adds: “I don’t care who or where it is. I’m in shape and ready to fight when asked. It would be great to get out again before Christmas, then have a little break, but I’ll fight anybody the UFC asks me to.”