Competing on less than two weeks’ notice, Serbia’s Sanja Sučević made the most of a big opportunity tonight at Super Fight League 1 in Mumbai, India. Sučević submitted previously unbeaten Ukrainian prospect Lena “Hunter” Ovchynnikova in the second round of the night’s co-main event.

The talented strikers engaged in a highly competitive ground battle through much of the first round, where both threatened with multiple submission attempts. Sučević escaped from an armbar attempt in round two and took Ovchynnikova’s back, then secured a rear-naked choke for the tapout win.

Sučević (3-1-0) and Ovchynnikova (8-1-0) exchanged leg kicks to open the fight and Ovchynnikova scored with a nice left hook. She took Sučević down and landed punches from the top. When Ovchynnikova transitioned to her go-to submission, the armbar, Sučević powered out and attempted a guillotine choke, a heel hook and an inside shoulder lock in succession.

Ovchynnikova escaped the holds, but quickly found herself in an armbar. Sučević used the hold to sweep into mount, but Ovchynnikova reversed back seconds later and wound up in Sučević’s guard. She dropped back for a rolling heel hook, but lost it and Sučević stood up. Ovchynnikova scored a takedown and the fighters battled for position on the way down. Sučević briefly held back control before the bell sounded to end the razor-thin round.

A head kick from Ovchynnikova drew a smile from Sučević in the second stanza. Ovchynnikova took Sučević down and moved to side control, then mount. She landed a series of elbows and spun into an armbar. Sučević again remained calm and freed herself before taking Ovchynnikova’s back in a scramble. Sučević worked for a rear-naked choke and got it. Ovchynnikova tried to hold on, but Sučević flattened her out and Ovchynnikova was forced to submit.

The impressive victory earned Sučević Submission of the Night honours at the conclusion of the event. Sučević has won back-to-back fights and all three of her pro MMA wins have come inside the distance.

Winner: Sanja Sučević by Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) at 2:28 of round two. She improves to 3-1-0.