UFC 146: Stefan Struve Taps Out Lavar Johnson In 65 Seconds

Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

New opponent, no problem for Stefan Struve.

The Dutch fighter outclassed Lavar Johnson on the mat, catching him in an arm bar in gaining a first-round submission at UFC 146. The victory took just 65 seconds for Struve.

More Coverage: UFC 146 Results | UFC News

Johnson came out quickly with a barrage of power strikes that sent Struve backpedaling against the fence, but Struve covered up, pulled guard and quickly pivoted for the fight-ending arm bar.

"I felt his control and I knew I could get the arm bar if I jumped guard," he said.

It was Johnson's second fight in three weeks, having knocked out Pat Barry at May 5's UFC on FOX 3 event. He took the fight on short notice, replacing Mark Hunt.

Struve said he knew his best chance to win was to get the fight to the ground, and he was proven right.

"He's a heavy hitter so why give him any chance at all to win the fight," Struve said of his strategy.

It was Struve's third straight win, improving to 24-5.

Johnson fell to 17-6.