One of four newcomers on the UFC London card on Saturday — the promotion’s second visit of the year to the o2 Arena in London, England — Daniel Barez was paired up with Jafel Filho in flyweight action.
Filho might be remembered as the man who trapped Muhammad Mokaev in a nasty kneebar earlier this year, though he would ultimately lose that fight. Barez, meanwhile, was a late arrival to the UFC, with the Spanish standout a talent many had wanted to see in the octagon years earlier.
It was straight to action between the two on Saturday as both were letting their hands go. Filho made the first move going for a takedown but Barez defended. He then made him pay with a few heavy outside leg kicks. Barez then dropped Filho with a left hook and again with a nasty kick to the body. The body shots were nasty. Barez was out for blood but Filho started to gain traction of his own pressing Barez back. Barez got some respect back but Filho was aggressive and eventually got the takedown. Barez was spent and Filho easily passed to mount and locked in a arm triangle, and the fight was all over with the tap coming moments later!
What a comeback for @JafelFilho 🤯
He gets the submission win in round 1!
[ #UFCLondon | Live on @ESPNPlus 📺 ] pic.twitter.com/vLVSbzhYVM
— UFC (@ufc) July 22, 2023
A big first win for Jafel Filho, who said following the bout that he felt he was now a complete mixed martial artist.
Official Result: Jafel Filho def. Daniel Bárez by submission (arm-triangle), Round 1, 3:26
