A popular pick for Fight of the Night ahead of UFC Vegas 48, Gabriel Benitez vs. David Onama had hit a snag during Friday’s weigh-in.
For the second time in a year, “Moggly” Benitez had missed weight for a fight. That didn’t preclude the bantamweight (now catchweight) bout from winning a post-fight bonus, but it would prevent Benitez from cashing in at least.
Whether a rough weight cut hindered his performance any remained to be seen.
Onama pressed the action early, backing Benitez up while he looked to counter. Onama switched stanches; Benitez went to the body. Benitez chopped the leg with a low kick, he’d do that again moments later and spin Onama right around. Benitez then ripped the body before Onama went on the attack. Lots of action in the opening two minutes, shortly on from there, Benitez caught Onama with a let hand, momentarily stunning him. Onama recovered, but would have to contend with more body work, plus a high kick, from “Moggly.”
In the final minute of round one, Onama would move forward, looking to land his left hand. He’d catch Benitez up against the fence, and began unleashing lefts and rights! Benitez escaped, only to be cornered again, eating another volley of strikes. In moments, Benitez was out on his feet, and the ref came in to make the save.
TURNED THE FIGHT AROUND ON A DIME 🤯
[ @DavidOnama145 | #UFCVegas48 ] pic.twitter.com/0ynu8yxUby
— UFC (@ufc) February 19, 2022
He had to overcome some early adversity, especially the left hand that Benitez clipped him with early and left him with vision issues — but David Onama picked up his first UFC win in style on Saturday.
Official Result: David Onama def. Gabriel Benitez by knockout, Round 1, 4:24
