In a catchweight bout that lasted less than a round, Las Vegas-based star Hadxian King (3-1) made quick work of Armando Baca (1-3) at TNU144 with a technical submission that left spectators stunned.
The 190-pound showdown began with tension as Baca appeared to deny the traditional pre-match glove touch, setting a confrontational tone. Moments later, King connected with a precise check left hook as Baca advanced aggressively.
“Baca tried to throw a headlock, but he couldn’t quite get it,” noted one commentator. The local fighter from Orange County did manage to secure a brief headlock position, but this would prove to be his final offensive maneuver of the night.
King, standing 6’3″ and representing Las Vegas, quickly reversed the position and worked his way to his opponent’s back. With technical precision, he locked in what grappling experts call an “arm-trap rear naked choke” – a variation where one of the opponent’s arms is immobilized within the submission hold.
“That’s tight,” the commentary team observed as the choke was applied. Before Baca could signal submission by tapping, he lost consciousness, forcing the referee to intervene and stop the contest.
“King even had his right hand hooked,” pointed out an analyst, highlighting the technical proficiency of the submission. “You can see, like, right here, he’s gone.”
The victory improves King’s record to 3-1 in his amateur career, while Baca falls to 1-3. Currently ranked as the #104 amateur middleweight in the US West region, King’s dominant performance may improve his standing in the 185-204 pound division.
The commentators noted the poetic justice in the outcome: “He says, you want to touch gloves and try to knock me out? I’m going to choke you out in front of this whole crowd.”
Despite the decisive finish, there appeared to be no lingering animosity, with the commentary team offering: “No hate on Armando. He came out swinging, but King capitalized.”
This matchup between the “local pride” Baca and “road warrior” King delivered the excitement promised, albeit with a swift conclusion that showcased the technical grappling skills that make mixed martial arts competitions so unpredictable.
