Underdog Rogerio Bontorin earned the first UFC win of his career in his home country of Brazil, after taking the split-decision win over Magomed Bibulatov at UFC Fortaleza.
A couple of highly-touted relative newcomers to the UFC opened up the card in Fortaleza. Coming off of the first loss of his career, a first-round KO against John Moraga in October of 2017, former WSOF flyweight champion Magomed Bibulatov’s trip to Brazil got off to a rocky start.
The 14-1 Russian came into the fight ranked the #11 fighter in the UFC’s 125-pound division. But, due to Bibulatov missing weight, the fight at UFC Fortaleza was held at a catchweight of 127-pounds. Despite the time off and weight-cut struggles, Bibulatov went into the bout as the -320 favorite.
His opponent, Rogerio Bontorin, had no such issues. Making his promotional debut, Bontorin impressed the UFC brass with his second-round submission victory in the Dana White Tuesday Night Contender Series last August. The 26-year-old Brazilian came into UFC Fortaleza with a 13-1 record of his own, hoping to help make the argument for the existence of the promotion’s flyweight division.
Early in round one both fighters took their time finding their range, before an exchange led to Bibulatov hip-tossing Bontorin to the ground. After a quick submission attempt from his back, Bontorin ate a shot on the ground, but was able to work to his feet. The duo exchanged powerful shots on the feet before another gorgeous Bibulatov takedown took the fight back to the ground after a caught kick.
Bontorin managed to once again attack from the ground, mounting and then taking the back of Bibulatov. Working for a couple of rear-naked chokes, Bontorin controlled Bibulatov for the majority of the round on the ground, while the Russian managed to defend well. Bibulatov worked the fight to it’s feet once more, where he would eat a couple of tough knees to the body from Bontorin in the final moments of round one.
The fighters were in the clinch within the first minute of the second round, with neither fighter able to gain a distinct advantage. Bibulatov was warned for grabbing shorts about 90-seconds into round-two, with commentator Michael Bisping pointing out his history of point deductions and warnings in the UFC. Then the Russian began to work the body of Bontorin, landing a couple of strong right hooks and a kick to the ribs of the Brazilian.
After the body shots, and exuding a lot of energy in round one, Bontorin looked the slower of the two fighters. Bibulatov continued to press and took Bontorin to the ground with about a minute remaining in round two. But, Bontorin was able to muster the energy to once again find his feet, and the round ended with momentum shifting to Bibulatov.
Bibulatov continued his pace from late in the second round, coming out the much more aggressive fighter in round three. Throwing a variety of strikes to both the body and head of Bontorin, Bibulatov controlled the center of the Octagon for the first minute of the last round. Bontorin answered the aggression with a couple of strong punches of his own, momentarily stifling the Russian’s game plan.
Giving it everything!
How are you scoring it? #UFCFortaleza pic.twitter.com/4i4DOni6nf
— UFC (@ufc) February 2, 2019
Over the minal minutes, Bibulatov regained control, and forced Bontorin to the cage. Bontorin was able to escape Bibulatov’s clinch and force Bibulatov to the cage himself. But, neither fighter was able to land anything of note. Then, in the final minute, Bontorin took the back of Bibulatov, who was able to ride out the final seconds of the bout with the Brazilian on his back working for a choke.
After a close fight that came down to the judges, the result went the way of the home-country promotional debutante Rogerio Bontorin. Both fighters put on a great show in the first fight of the night, and should be facing ranked opponents in each of their next flyweight bouts. Let us know what you thought of the fight by commenting on Facebook or replying on Twitter!
Rogerio Bontorin def. Magomed Bibulatov via split-decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
