ST. LOUIS, MO - JANUARY 14: Kyung Ho Kang of South Korea celebrates his submission victory over Guido Cannetti of Argentina in their bantamweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event inside the Scottrade Center on January 14, 2018 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

To kick off the UFC St.Louis prelims, Kang Kyung-Ho returned from his South Korean military service to take on Guido Canetti, here’s how the fight played out.

Sunday nights preliminary card saw the return of Kang Kyung-Ho. Kyung-Ho was last seen in the octagon in November 2014 before being required to put a hold on his career to serve a two-year commitment for mandatory South Korean military service. Now Kyung-Ho is back in the UFC and looks to build on a two-fight win streak, with his last win coming over Michinori Tanaka.

A former TUF: Latin America alumni, Guido Cannetti also returned from a long hiatus on Sunday night, last fighting in the octagon in August 2015 in a win over Hugo Viana. Canetti was suspended 10 months by USADA after testing positive for ostarine, hydrochlorothiazide and chlorothiazide, but was able to prove the positive test came from tainted supplements, therefore reducing his suspension. With no more distractions standing in his way, Cannetti looked to make his successful return against Kyung-Ho.

Round 1: Cannetti started the fight with a head kick that caught Kyung-Ho by surprise, and followed it up shortly with a stunning combination that forced Kyung-Ho to attempt a takedown that was easily countered. Cannetti continued with his aggressive approach throughout the first round, throwing wheel kicks, combinations, and haymakers. Despite the constant pressure, Kyung-Ho stayed patient and waited for an opening.

Kyung-Ho found a hole in the defense of Cannetti and took him down with just over a minute to go. Kyung-Ho took full mount directly from the takedown and looked to wear down on Cannetti late in the round. With 30 seconds to go, Kyung-Ho snuck out the back door and locked up a triangle. Cannetti picked Kang up and tried for a devastating slam, but Kyung-Ho tightened up the choke and forced the tap, securing the submission victory at 4:53 of round 1.

OFFICIAL SCORE: Kyung Ho Kang def. Guido Cannetti via Sub (triangle choke) at 4:53 of Round 1

TAP SEASON! Kyung Ho Kang finishes off Guido Cannetti in round one to kickoff our #UFCSTL card on @FS1! https://t.co/8IFSHAhWIb — FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) January 15, 2018

Post-fight, Kyung-Ho stated he was so happy to finally be back in the octagon after the two years of military service. With the win tonight, Kyung-Ho has now won three straight in the octagon, and with no military service to interrupt his career, it will be interesting to see where he can go from here.