FAIRFIELD -- The UFC debut of Fairfield pro fighter Terrance "Wrong Turn" Saeteurn took a wrong turn quickly Friday in Shanghai, China, resulting in a first-round loss by technical knockout.
Nyamjargal Tumendemberel, of Mongolia, delivered the TKO at the 2:53 mark of the opening round. He got Saeteurn in a submission hold known an anaconda choke, which briefly knocked the Fairfield fighter out cold.
Saeteurn learned just two weeks ago that he would be a replacement for UFC fighter Rei Tsuruya, who withdrew because of an undisclosed injury. The fight came as part of the Road to the UFC series, though it was a full-fledged, co-main event bout at the end of the card.
The Fairfield fighter and his team made the 9,000-mile trip to China for a fight that began at 7 a.m. PDT. Saeteurn is now 8-2 overall.
Tumendemberel, known by the nickname, "Art of the Knockout," improved to 9-1. He now has three wins by KO/TKO, six by submission and one by decision. His first UFC fight came on Nov. 23, 2024, in Mancau, China, against Carlos Hernandez. He lost in a split decision, making his UFC record 1-1.
"Thirteen days to prepare," Saeteurn said before the fight. "It's not ideal, but I try to roll with the punches. It's an opportunity I had to take."
Saeteurn has three career wins by KO/TKO, two by submission and three by decision. He is the reigning flyweight champion in Urijah Faber's A1 Combat series out of Sacramento and entered his UFC debut on a five-match winning streak.
Saeteurn defeated challenger Isiah Torres of Pueblo, Colorado, by a 30-26 decision in May in Wheatland. It was his first fight since winning the A1 title in September 2024. He defeated Carlos Puente Jr. by submission in the second round of that bout.
Previously, he scored a technical knockout against Stav Schwartz, and defeated Miguel Ceja and David Lopez by unanimous decisions.
Saeteurn went into the cage for the first time in 2018 and posted an 8-1 record as an amateur before turning pro. He now works and trains out of the Train 4 Life Center in Suisun City under the watchful eye of his trainer, Sonny Ramos.
Saeteurn had to fly to Los Angeles last week to visit a lawyer and get his passport in order. He also had to take a battery of tests to make sure his body is up to the challenge. The trip to China began on Sunday.