He submits the submission specialist! @CharlesRosaMMA welcome back to the Octagon! Wow! #UFCBoston pic.twitter.com/xtxWU6vD5I

Charles Rosa’s comeback campaign began in dramatic fashion earlier tonight (Fri., Oct. 18, 2019) at UFC on ESPN 6 from inside TD Garden in Boston, Mass., when the submission specialist returned from a 30-month layoff to verbally tap featherweight Manny Bermudez via first-round armbar.

The finish came midway through the opening frame as Rosa found himself on his back. Equipped with black belt power, the Massachusetts native worked into position for the armbar. Bermudez, who has 11 career submission finishes of his own, defended momentarily, but Rosa’s crank proved too much and forced Bermudez to verbally call it a day.

Check out the highlights above courtesy of UFC/ESPN.

With this performance, Rosa returns from a 2017 TKO loss to Shane Burgos by locking down his first UFC win since January of 2016. The 33-year-old finisher had to overcome a nagging neck injury to get back inside of the Octagon in front of his home crowd, but ultimately cashed in on his elite submission skills. If he can remain healthy Rosa may be able to earn a shot at the top 15 early into 2020, especially if UFC decides to make another return to Boston.

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