Chris Padilla Submits Nasrat Haqparast at UFC Sacramento

Chris Padilla submitted Nasrat Haqparast with an arm-triangle choke at 4:59 of round three at UFC Sacramento, finishing the fight with just one second left on the clock at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California.

Padilla, known as "Taco," improved to 17-6-1 with the finish. The 30-year-old American, who trains out of California Mixed Martial Arts, is an active and accurate striker, averaging 4.78 significant strikes per minute at a 54 percent accuracy rate. He also mixes in a respectable grappling game, averaging 1.18 takedowns per 15 minutes, and the arm-triangle choke that ended Saturday's bout fits a fighter who has shown a consistent willingness to pursue submissions throughout his career.

Haqparast, who trains at the renowned Tristar Gym, falls to 18-6-0 with the loss. The 31-year-old representing Morocco is primarily a volume striker, averaging an aggressive 6.36 significant strikes per minute, though his grappling has rarely been a weapon — he has recorded virtually no takedown or submission activity across his UFC tenure. That defensive vulnerability on the ground ultimately proved costly against Padilla.

Why it matters

• The dramatic last-second finish gives Padilla significant momentum and a highlight-reel victory that could push him up the lightweight rankings.
• Haqparast, coming off a strong striking output in recent outings, suffers a setback that interrupts any upward trajectory in the division.
• The finish underscores the danger of one-dimensional fighters facing opponents with well-rounded submission skills, even late in a close bout.

The event at the Golden 1 Center is headlined by a middleweight clash between sixth-ranked Anthony Hernandez and Gregory Rodrigues, with Hernandez carrying a 15-3-0 record and one of the more elite takedown rates in the division at 5.88 per 15 minutes.