With the UFC making its debut in Santiago, Chile, the promotion was no doubt hoping for a repeat of UFC 224, which saw eleven of thirteen fights end in a finish just one week ago.
The UFC made it’s debut in Santiago, Chile on Saturday, bringing with it a card topped by welterweights Kamaru Usman and Demian Maia. In an old guard vs. new guard battle, there was the opportunity for one fighter to move forward to a title shot at 170lbs — though with Maia already having a loss to Tyron Woodley, as well as Colby Covington, who would be competing for the interim welterweight title in just a few weeks, another title challenge seemed unlikely. In the UFC Chile (UFC Fight Night 129) co-main event, meanwhile, TUF 23 winner Tatiana Suarez was set to face Alexa Grasso at strawweight.
Before the welterweight main event, or any of the other main card bouts — including the long awaited debut of Andrea ‘KGB’ Lee — there was a three-pack of fights on the early prelims. Airing exclusively on UFC Fight Pass, the online prelims featured Brandon Davis, fresh off a Fight of the Night win against Steven Peterson, taking on Lima, Peru’s Enrique Barzola.
Claudio Puelles vs. Felipe Silva
Felipe Silva flashed a high kick early as the action got underway at UFC Chile, starting off in the lightweight division. Peru’s Claudio Puelles was sitting back, not firing off much, but answered a spinning attack from Silva with a takedown. In the center of the octagon, Silva utilized a closed guard, and threw elbows from the bottom, then threatened with a triangle while grabbing for an arm. Puelles was trying to puzzle out how to even launch an attack and finally dodged an upkick and landed a big left hand. A choke attempt by Puelles followed, but Silva transitioned into top control! A handful of hammerfists followed as Puelles worked for a knee bar, then heel hook. Silva escaped, standing back up and beckoning Puelles to do the same.
Silva initiated the clinch alongside the cage, landing some big knees only to have Puelles pull guard, looking for an arm-bar. When Silva did manage to escape, he went right back to the feet, only for Puelles to take the fight back down after an exchange. Puelles would finish the round with another takedown attempt, only to wind up on his back.
Silva opened round two with a leg kick, adding another moments later. Puelles shook them off, but was being backed up by the superior striker, and looked for an opening to shoot in for a takedown. Puelles then tried moving in with a combination of his own, but his stand-up didn’t seem to be worrying Silva any. Puelles seemed to have a hard time finding the takedown in round two; in the striking department, Silva had a clear edge. A left-right combination then rocked Puelles, and he went to his back! Silva pounced, dropping hammerfists and looking for the finish. Puelles was defending, but with a full minute left in the round, was in a bad spot. Silva moved to mount, but couldn’t maintain it; he chose to let Puelles stand back up. A body shot by Silva looked to wind Puelles, and he shot desperately for a takedown, somehow surviving the round in the process.
Could Silva continue where he left off in round two? It was Puelles who opened the action with a spinning back fist, but a heavy right hand by Silva dropped Puelles moments later! Puelles covered up, somehow surviving once more, but back on the feet moments later he was rocked again! Every time Silva dropped his opponent, he allowed the ref to stand him back up, rather than risk being caught in a sub. However, the Peruvian Puelles was not about to go quietly. When Silva finally made the mistake of engaging on the ground, Puelles got him in a knee bar! With considerable swelling under one eye, and a trail of blood down the side of his face, Puelles locked in a knee bar! Putting everything he had left in the submission, he forced Silva to tap! An incredible comeback win by Claudio Puelles.
Claudio Puelles def. Felipe Silva by submission (kneebar), Round 3, 2:23
Henry Briones vs. Frankie Saenz
Frankie Sanez got the action underway in his bantamweight scrap with Henry Briones with a leg kick that missed, and spun him right around in the process. Both men were light on their feet early; Sanez closed the distance with a body shot, followed up by an overhand. It’s a combination he repeated moments later, then switched to a takedown attempt. No dice on the takedown; Briones, meanwhile, seemed content to wait to land a counter. Briones next attacked the leg, while Saenz answered in kind. Saenz landed a right moments later, dropped for a double leg, and finished the takedown with a crash. Some elbows on the ground by Saenz followed before Briones was able to work his way back up. The right hand by Saenz continued to be a threat, but in the final minute of round one, Briones was able to connect as well.
Saenz went with a spinning attack early in the second that was wild; a more disciplined uppercut came shortly after. A takedown attempt by Saenz was nowhere near the mark, but he managed to drop Briones with a right moments later! Briones recovered quickly, but was backpedaling. Another big right hand landed for Saenz; he then secured a double leg takedown, and moved into Briones’ guard. Briones then risked giving up the back, though the fence was taking away much needed space from Saenz. Henry Briones made it back up, but by the end of the frame, it was Saenz looking much fresher, and getting the better of the exchanges.
Round three opened with Briones showing a fair amount of damage over the left eye. He pointed to the floor just over a minute in, trying to lure Saenz into a firefight. Saenz instead took Briones down; Briones defended with a guillotine, but Saenz popped his head free. He then went to work looking to improve position, trying to work in some ground and pound, and look to take the back. Briones would make it back to his feet with roughly a minute to go in the round, but he was spent. Saenz finished the round on his back, dropping some more ground and pound up to the final bell.
Frankie Saenz def. Henry Briones by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Enrique Barzola vs. Brandon Davis
Round one of the featured fight between Brandon Davis and Enrique Barzola saw plenty of grappling exchanges and back and forth action. Davis found success with his right hand. Barzola landed a big takedown mid-round, and was able to impose his will a good portion of the round. The pair traded leg kicks to open round two, with Davis pressing the action and Barzola circling along the cage. It was Barzola who secured a body lock and was looking for the takedown early, climbing Davis’ back. With the takedown secured, Barzola looked to improve position, moving to half guard. Davis risked giving up his back to escape, but in the process, Barzola was able to sink in a guillotine. However, he couldn’t finish it, and Davis made it back up — only to be taken right back down.
Round three played out in similar fashion. Barzola controlled the action, utilized body locks, and stayed patient with his attacks. That took him to a unanimous decision win.
Enrique Barzola def. Brandon Davis by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
Check back come fight time for a full recap and results from the UFC Chile Fight Pass Prelims!
UFC Chile Fight Pass Preliminary Results:
Enrique Barzola def. Brandon Davis by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
Frankie Saenz def. Henry Briones by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Claudio Puelles def. Felipe Silva by submission (kneebar), Round 3, 2:23
