LAS VEGAS – Brady Hiestand was able to turn a rough start into a win by using his grappling.

Hiestand (6-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) defeated Fernie Garcia (10-3 MMA, 0-2 UFC) by unanimous decision this past Saturday at UFC Fight Night 215 for his first octagon win.

But Hiestand’s return to the octagon was almost spoiled when he was dropped by Garcia’s first punch landed.

“I feel like the first round I didn’t perform as well as I could,” Hiestand told reporters, including MMA Junkie. “I made mistakes. Obviously, Fernie is a high-level striker. I made a mistake and he capitalized on it and dropped me. But I feel like the two rounds, second and third, really showcased what kind of fighter I am and what I’m going to be from here on out.”

Hiestand, a Season 29 “Ultimate Fighter” finalist, returned for the first time in 15 months. The long layoff showed when he was dropped early, but he rallied with his wrestling for the win.

“The game plan was to showcase more of my striking,” Hiestand said. “I feel like we’ve worked so hard on my striking and in the second and third round I think it showed. And obviously my grappling is next level, so just a little bit of that.

“I think Round 2 and 3 was a reintroduction of who Brady is. I think Round 1 was dusting the cobwebs off. Ring rust might have been a little bit of a factor, but Round 2 and 3 is who I am and I’m only going to get better from here on out.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 215.