Lightweight Manuel Torres repped his native Mexico at UFC 306 at The Sphere on Saturday, facing Ignacio Bahamondes on a card designed to celebrate Mexican Independence Day, and Mexico’s fighting spirit.
A 2021 Contender Series winner, Torres had won all three of his trips to the octagon to date, while Bahamondes was coming off a victory over Christos Giagos, care of a highlight reel head kick.
On a night that had a bit of a rough start for team Mexico, it was Chile’s Bahamondes making a statement victory.
Torres began to find the mark with his boxing early. Bahamondes wrapped a head kick around the back of Torres’s head, but he recovered quickly, until he got caught by a beautiful slip back right hand that sat Torres down. Torres regained composure and got back up off the canvas. With a minute left in the first round, Bahamondes landed another crushing right hand, and that was all she wrote. The finishing shot was virtually identical to the one that he knocked Torres down with a minute before. Ignacio Bahamondes showcased his elite striking once again, on the biggest stage of his career.
Is the Top 15 next for Ignacio Bahamondes?
Official Result: Ignacio Bahamondes def. Manuel Torres by TKO, Round 1, 4:02
