Two flyweights looking to bounce back from recent losses faced off on the UFC Vegas 75 preliminary card, as Denys Bondar took on Carlos Hernandez.
Bondar was 0-1 in the promotion, while Hernandez, a Contender Series alum, had posted a 1-1 record to date.
Ukraine’s Bondar took a few big swings early, with Hernandez tying the fight up, only to be stymied when trying to land a takedown. Back at distance, Bondar continued to swing and miss, though an inside leg kick did connect. Hernandez was a little more technical, but Bondar landed a thudding kick moments later. Hernandez went to the body with a kick of his own after that, which Bondar shook off.
Bondar mixed in an elbow off the break, and a head kick at distance, as the round wore on. Again, Hernandez displayed sharper, more technical boxing, and was getting more out of it while doing less.
The battle of precision versus power continued in round two. Bondar did a bit of showboating and took more big swings. Hernandez stuck to his technical boxing and stayed light on his feet. A bit of blood was trickling down Bondar’s temple, the result of an accidental head clash earlier in the fight. Bondar went to the body, closing the distance but failing to land the rest of the combination.
In the back half of the round, the pace picked up a little. Hernandez looked for a takedown that was easily stuffed. Bondar’s defense was on point, and his head movement and footwork solid as well, despite the energy he’d been expending with those power punches. Bondar then changed levels and scooped up Hernandez, landing a takedown that didn’t last as Carlos immediately worked to the fence and up. Hernandez then landed a flying knee with time running low, that Bondar ate. Right at the horn, Bondar landed a lazy and blatantly illegal knee to the head of Hernandez, completely inexplicably.
The fight was allowed to continue, with the fighters returning to their corners, and no point deduction. Still a puzzling decision given how flagrant the foul was. Regardless, it was an orderly affair in the third, with Bondar having apologized and no apparent hard feelings on the part of Hernandez. Bondar, meanwhile, continued to be low output compared to Hernandez, who doubled up on his jab at times. When takedowns landed Hernandez was up so quick they may not have counted; a solid sprawl saw Hernandez stuff a late attempt.
And, just as it looked like they would head to the scorecards, Carlos Hernandez exploded. Likely up in the fight, the Contender Series vet landed a big throw, and followed up with some smashing elbows. Unfortunately, off the throw, there was an accidental clash of heads, and Bondar appeared out off it. The fight went to instant replay, and the review official determined there was an accidental foul, taking the fight to the scorecards.
See the controversial clash of heads for yourself 🔎⤵️ #UFCVegas75pic.twitter.com/kpacgrF4EC
— UFC (@ufc) June 18, 2023
No surprises there, and the right person won in the end. Hernandez was a bit upset it wasn’t ruled a finish after the fact, but his win bonus remains intact. Which is a better outcome than Dan Argueta vs. Ronnie Lawrence had.
Official Result: Carlos Hernandez def. Denys Bondar by unanimous technical decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
