DeJesus, who has in the past battled with making weight (not to mention passing drug screens), came in more than a pound under for his featherweight championship fight with Karakhanyan.

Unfortunately, his powerful striking wasn't enough to overcome Karakhanyan's slick submissions, and DeJesus appeared to tap out on several occasions, despite refusing to acknowledge any of them.

Karakhanyan flashed powerful high kicks early, including a slick front kick to the face. DeJesus answered with kicks of his own to the legs and body. Halfway into the frame, DeJesus took the fight to the floor, but it was Karakhanyan who quickly locked up an armbar and extended the appendage. DeJesus appeared to tap in live action, though replays weren't quite as clear, and he pulled free from the hold.

DeJesus briefly returned to the feet before diving back into Karakhanyan's guard, which proved to be a mistake. Karakhanyan launched into a triangle-choke attempt, squeezing tight on the hold. DeJesus tapped his opponent's face several times, signaling the end of the fight with 58 seconds left in the opening round. DeJesus immediately complained that he was simply slapping his opponent's face, but the decision had been made.

Karakhanyan, who collapsed to the canvas in celebration after claiming the vacant 145-pound belt, is now on a three-fight winning streak. DeJesus is now winless in his past three official contests.

http://mmajunkie.com/news/26364/tachi-palace-fights-11-results.mma

by MMAjunkie.com Staff on Dec 03, 2011 at 12:35 am ET