Despite losing on the Contender Series in 2023, Jose Medina had nonetheless landed a spot in the UFC, making his debut off that DWCS loss on Saturday at UFC Vegas 96. There, Medina was paired up with Zachary Reese, 1-1 in the promotion and looking to build off his first win under the UFC banner.
The middleweight pair appeared on the preliminary card at the UFC Apex, with Medina a heavy underdog per the odds-makers.
When the bell sounded Reese blasted two body kicks and would crash forward with a knee. Medina grabbed ahold of him but Reese got the takedown. Huge right hands from Reese where landing heavy. Medina gave up his back and got to his feet but ate more punches on the way up. They separated and Reese landed another body kick. He then went up top which was blocked. Another nasty body kick that hurt Medina followed. Reese rushed in but Medina got a takedown. Reese postured up and used a front head lock to sweep on top. Reese stood up and waved Medina to his feet. Reese landed a body kick and inside leg kick to end the round.
In round two Reese started off with a step in knee. It missed but another body kick from Reese hurt Medina. The body kick was there all day for Reese as he kept landing it. Reese was getting more confident and was finding success with his hands. Medina was just lost at range and couldn’t get anything going. A lot of toughness from Medina but the skills were lacking big time in comparison. With a minute left in the round Medina did find some moments. Reese slowed him down with a leg kick. Medina responded with a big right hook but tried to follow up with a takedown that he couldn’t land.
In the final round, Medina needed a finish while Reese was visibly gassed. Reese started with another body kick and switched it up by getting a takedown. Medina was able to get space to get back up but Reese got him right back down. Oddly enough Reese backed up and let Medina back to his feet. Medina had some urgency and landed a big spinning elbow. When doing so Reese got the back and slammed Medina to the mat. Medina was able to work to his hip but Reese was too heavy. Probably more so that Medina was too gassed to get up. Reese gave enough space for Medina to get to his knees and back up. Reese still had control and dumped Medina back to the mat. They finished out the round, and the fight, with the outcome never in question.
Official Result: Zachary Reese def. Jose Medina by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
