UFC Mexico City finally arrived on Saturday, marking the promotion’s first trip south of the border since 2019.
The card, brimming with Mexican talent, felt like a launch pad for a big night for the home town (and country) favorites — and it was, though the main and co-main events didn’t quite go according to how those in attendance might have hoped.
In the headliner, Brandon Royval got the better of Brandon Moreno, winning a close split decision over the course of five rounds. In the co-main event, it was Brian Ortega making his return, over a year and a half on from his first fight with Yair Rodriguez, which ended early due to injury.
It was Rodriguez that “T-City” was paired up with again at UFC Mexico City, and things got off on the wrong foot quite literally when Ortega rolled his ankle warming up in the cage. After being rocked early, Ortega went into survival mode — but in the third round, stormed back to secure a submission win that also earned him one of two Performance of the Night bonuses awarded Saturday.
The second went to Manuel Torres, who put away Chris Duncan with a tight rear-naked choke.
Fight of the Night honors at UFC Mexico City went to Daniel Zellhuber and Francisco Prado for a main card battle that went the distance. Mexico’s Zellhuber came away with the decision win.
All four bonus-winning fighters will pocket an extra $50,000 for their efforts, on top of show/win money, outfitting pay etc.
