Ben Saunders was looking for a big win, a statement victory that would put him back on track toward the UFC.
He sure got it.
Saunders finished fellow UFC veteran Jacob Volkmann in just 17 seconds with an armbar submission Friday night in the main event of Fight Night At The Island in Welch, Minn. Saunders' Brazilian jiu-jitsu coach Eddie Bravo posted the (very short) video on Instagram.
Saunders (20-7-2) was not cut by the UFC. His contract expired after a loss to Patrick Cote back in January and at the time Saunders was considering retirement and didn't want to extend his deal. Before the fight with Cote, "Killa B" had won three in a row and was touted as an all-action fighter with a versatile skillset.
With his personal issues in the past, Saunders is hoping to be back in the UFC or another major MMA promotion.
"I always wanted to compete at the highest level," Saunders told MMA Fighting ahead of the fight with Volkmann. "Obviously, the UFC is that and I would love to fight for them. If I go out and I put on a great performance and they're interested, then yeah. That's where I'd prefer to predominantly like to be."
Great performance? Check. Let's see if the call from the UFC is next.