UFC 330: Jeremiah Wells comes back to put Myktybek Orolbai to sleep with shocking ninja choke submission

Jeremiah Wells authored one of the year's most dramatic comebacks at UFC 330, submitting Myktybek Orolbai with a ninja choke in the third round after trailing on the scorecards. The 39-year-old Wells competed in his hometown of Philadelphia against the rising welterweight prospect Orolbai, who dictated much of the fight through superior wrestling and ground-and-pound. Yet Wells remained dangerous on the feet, landing crisp strikes whenever the action returned to standing range.

Down two rounds entering the final frame, Wells caught Orolbai with a stiff right hook in Round 3 and capitalized immediately when Orolbai shot in for another takedown. Wells secured a textbook ninja choke, pulling Orolbai to the mat and squeezing until his opponent went limp. Referee Blake Grice called the stoppage at 1:24 of Round 3.

After the stunning finish, Wells (14-4-1) indicated he might retire in his native Philadelphia, though he suggested a matchup against a top-15 ranked opponent could convince him to continue fighting. Orolbai (16-3-1) suffered his first loss since moving up to the welterweight division, ending a run of consecutive victories at 170 pounds.