Siyar Bahadurzada has waited more than two years, since UFC 168, to get back into the Octagon.
Brandon Thatch is looking to get back on top after getting finished in his last two fights.
Those factors helped make for an entertaining welterweight scrap Saturday night at UFC 196. And while Bahadurzada appeared to be running away with the victory in the final round, he kept working for the finish and got the tapout at the 4:11 mark of the third via arm-triangle choke.
"I've had two years away, but I trained every day," said Bahadurzada (22-6).