Bellator 265 video: Jornel Lugo chokes Keith Lee unconscious as bell sounds in Round 1

It took Jornel Lugo exactly five minutes to pick up his third Bellator win.

In the opening fight of the Bellator 265 main card Friday, Lugo (7-0 MMA, 3-0 BMMA) notched his second career submission when he put Keith Lee to sleep with a rear-naked choke as the bell sounded to close Round 1.

After a showcase of jabs and technicality on the feet, Lugo took the fight to the ground where he worked to the back position. From there, he quickly worked arm position and locked in a rear-naked choke.

The submission didn’t take long to prove effective. As Lee tried to fight his way out, his arms went noticeably limp. Lugo swung off his opponent as time expired, and Lee flattened out on the canvas, unconscious before he popped to his feet. When he did, he lost his balance and stumbled over to his stool. At the referee’s discretion, Lee was deemed out at the buzzer, and the fight was called off.

Still undefeated, @AunoLugo puts @Keith_Lee135 to sleep with the RNC #Bellator265 is LIVE on @SHOsports. pic.twitter.com/T77Wtd5kWb

— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) August 21, 2021

After the fight, Lugo called for a slot on the promotion’s targeted Nov. 5 card expected to take place in Dublin and alluded at a potential matchup vs. Brian Moore.

Bellator 265 took place Friday at Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D. The main card aired on Showtime after prelims on MMA Junkie.