Melissa Gatto was stepping up on short notice to face Tamires Vidal at bantamweight at UFC Vegas 92 on Saturday, the third of four women’s match-ups on the Fight Night card.
Gatto, normally a flyweight, was looking to shake off losses to Ariane Lipski and Tracy Cortez.
This one went to the ground early, with Gatto on top, but Vidal working on a guillotine off her back. Once Gatto pulled free, she spent the entirety of the round on top, and towards the final minute was able to create space to start doing damage. With all of thirty seconds still on the clock, Gatto moved to mount, and would finish the round there, having been in control for the better part of five minutes.
Early in round two Gatto charged forward firing a one-two. They’d head to the cage, battling in the clinch, with Gatto finally landing a throw takedown near the midway mark of the round. That was more time spent on the feet for Tamires Vidal in round one, but she still found herself on the ground, with Gatto riding her back, hooks in and lots of time on the clock. She couldn’t find the submission, however, and the pair would head to the third.
Having been dominated through two rounds, Vidal needed a finish, but her corner instead advised patience. In the end it would not matter. In a strange scene early in the third, a jab by Gatto connected to the chest. Vidal held her breast and gave the ref a look before turning away, with it unclear whether it was pain, or a wardrobe issue, that caused her reaction. In any case, turning away was the wrong decision as the ref opted to wave off the fight, giving Melissa Gatto a TKO win.
Melissa Gatto gets the win after Tamires Vidal's delayed reaction 😳 #UFCVegas92 pic.twitter.com/wooliXIhK0
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) May 18, 2024
Official Result: Melissa Gatto def. Tamires Vidal by TKO, Round 3, 0:37
