Cody Gibson Submitted Brian Kelleher to Restart His UFC Run
Cody Gibson defeated Brian Kelleher by arm-triangle choke at UFC Fight Night: Lemos vs. Jandiroba in Las Vegas on July 20, 2024. The submission came at 3:58 of the first round, closing the preliminary card at the UFC Apex.
Pressure led to the finish
Gibson hurt Kelleher with a right hand early and kept pressing with punches, kicks and knees. Kelleher attempted to change the contest with a guillotine, but Gibson escaped the danger and established top position.
From half guard, Gibson secured the arm-triangle and forced the tap. The victory moved his professional record to twenty wins and ten defeats, while Kelleher fell to twenty-four wins and sixteen losses.
A breakthrough in his second UFC stint
Gibson had first competed in the UFC in 2014, recording a stoppage victory over Johnny Bedford during that initial run. He later rebuilt outside the promotion before returning through season thirty-one of The Ultimate Fighter.
Representing Michael Chandler’s veterans team, he earned two first-round finishes to reach the bantamweight final. Brad Katona defeated him at UFC 292, but their contest earned Fight of the Night honors and both finalists received UFC contracts.
A decision defeat to Miles Johns followed in March 2024. Beating Kelleher ended that two-fight losing sequence and delivered Gibson’s first victory of his second UFC stint, ten years after his previous promotional win.
Sources
- UFC: July 20 preliminary results and official finish
- Sherdog: fight sequence and post-fight records
- UFC: Gibson’s first stint, Katona final and Johns result
- UFC: Gibson’s TUF run and return to the promotion
