Las Vegas — Flyweight Felipe Bunes earned a submission win against Jose Johnson in a scrappy, scramble-y fight at UFC Vegas 101 that ended in just over two minutes.
The victory was Bunes’ first in the promotion; he’s now 1-1, and explained afterwards that despite the chaotic scene in the cage, he’s really a very patient fighter.
“I’ve been at this for quite some time, 22 years in jiu-jitsu, and I’m a very patient fighter. I just try to be very calm, patient, taking my time. I’ve tried to be aggressive before, but it’s not in me. It’s not in my nature,” stated Bunes, who seemed to use Johnson’s own momentum against him as long as the fight lasted. “My nature is just to wait on, and to figure out the opponent. If the opponent does not give me the opportunity, I’ll create the opportunity.”
“So you’re always looking for something out there, and at that point he gave me the arm and I was able to take advantage of it.”
Bunes also explained, speaking with media outlets including Cageside Press, that he used a little bit of Royce Gracie’s technique in setting up the finish.
“I like to feel positions when I’m down there. Obviously he got out of the first one [arm-bar], so I’m looking at him. And I always try to feel where somebody’s going. I’m a fan of Royce Gracie, so I just always try to touch my heel to his lower back, just so I see ‘is there a movement here?’ trying to feel.”
“Then, he moved a little bit in position, he postured up a little bit, there was the triangle attempt, right? And when you get the triangle, that’s one other thing. I have never encountered somebody that escapes my triangle and does not leave the arm. The arm always gets left. I knew that when he postured up and tried to escape, that arm was going to be there. And when the arm’s there, I’m on it.”
Watch the full UFC Vegas 101 post-fight appearance by Felipe Bunes above.