Moon's Khama Worthy improves to 2-0 in UFC with submission win

Moon’s Khama Worthy didn’t just choke out his opponent at UFC on ESPN 12 Saturday night in Las Vegas. He also gave his finishing move a name.

“That’s a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania guillotine,” Worthy declared.

Worthy defeated Luis Pena by submission with 2 minutes, 7 seconds left in their lightweight bout to improve to 2-0 in the UFC. Worthy has won seven straight fights overall and is 16-6 as a pro.

Worthy was a plus-195 underdog coming into the fight. He defeated Devonte Smith by knockout in his UFC debut in August.

“I’m a dad, man. I’ve got that dad strength,” Worthy said in his postfight interview on ESPN. “I turn 34 in October. It’s just a different story when you get in here with me. I’m willing to die if need be. You’re going to have to put me out.”

At 5-foot-11, Worthy was giving up four inches to Pena, a lanky fighter with an 8-3 record who is nicknamed “Violent Bob Ross” because his hairstyle resembles the one worn by the famous television painter.

Worthy, nicknamed “The Death Star,” was the superior striker. He controlled the first round with a series of body shots, overhand rights and kicks to the body and leg.

In the second round, however, Pena secured a takedown and dominated on the ground. Worthy had his hands full fighting off submission attempts.

In the third round, Pena was trying to finish off a single-leg takedown when Worthy locked in a tight guillotine choke and finished the fight.

Khama Worthy snatched up the neck in the third round ?@thedeathstar_1 #UFCVegas4 pic.twitter.com/P6DEqRUViG

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) June 27, 2020

In his postfight interview, Worthy shouted out Isaac Greeley of The Mat Factory wrestling club in Lower Burrell for teaching him the choke and made his case for the quality of mixed martial arts in Western Pennsylvania.

He also warned his students at the Academy of Martial Arts & Fitness in Pittsburgh’s West End that he would be back Monday, ready to teach class.

“We’ve got mad guys coming out of Pittsburgh. I saw a lot of people talking about, ‘Khama doesn’t get the high level training.’ I get the high level training,” Worthy said. “Dana White, just going to let you know right now, get my boys in the UFC. Pittsburgh boys is ready.”

During the break, Worthy was shouting, Pittsburgh stand up! Since I think I might have been the only other Pittsburgher in the house, I did! #UFCVegas4

— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) June 27, 2020