With a 2-2 record in the UFC, 2021 Contender Series vet Victor Altamirano faced off with Brazil’s Felipe dos Santos in flyweight action on the UFC Mexico City preliminary card.
Altamirano was born in Mexico City, making Saturday quite the homecoming.
With the crowd firmly behind the hometown hero, the flyweight pair got off to a quick start, with Altamirano initiating the grappling sequences and landing the fight’s first takedown midway through the round. That takedown didn’t last long as dos Santos was quickly back up, but Altamirano planed him on his back again, then deftly avoided a guillotine attempt.
Back on the feet, the pair re-engaged with about 90 seconds left, with the pace slightly slower. And when dos Santos closed the distance recklessly, Altamirano changed levels to land a perfectly timed takedown.
Round two saw things play out on the feet early with Altamirano landing a low kick, and dos Santos fanning on a higher one in response. Felipe dos Santos would change stances, looking for an opening only to be planted on his back again with two minutes left in the round — much to the delight of the Mexico City fans. They roared again as Victor Altamirano landed an elbow, but dos Santos would make it back to his feet.
The third round started with a massive shift in momentum as Felipe dos Santos was able to get on the back of Altamirano with the pair on the ground against the fence. The Brazilian went hunting for a rear-naked choke, but Altamirano escaped, with the local crowd exploding over his defensive grappling. When they went back down, it was Victor Altamirano on top, working from the side. Dos Santos would later take some big swings in the final minute with the action back on the feet, looking to pull something out late.
It wasn’t too be, with the fight instead left to the judges. However, while one judge awarded Victor Altamirano a 30-27 score based on nine takedowns and a lot of bodywork, two others scored it for dos Santos, 29-28.
Official Result: Felipe dos Santos def. Victor Altamirano by split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)
