Flyweights Edgar Chairez and C.J. Vergara found themselves promoted to the UFC Mexico City main card on Saturday, after Joe Pyfer fell ill and was forced to withdraw from the event.
With Pyfer’s bout against Kelvin Gastelum scratched; Chairez and Vergara had the opportunity to return to the win column in front of an even larger audience.
One fighter took advantage of that, without question.
The first couple minutes were spent with Chairez wisely fighting behind his jab, with Vergara kicking the lead leg. Chairez then feinted a level change to hide a left hook that connected cleanly on Vergara’s chin and dropped him. Chairez carefully stalked his prey and dropped him again. With Vergara hurt, Chairez immediately got on his back and sunk in the rear-naked choke that forced the tap from Vergara.
After the fight, Edgar Chairez appeared overwhelmed with emotion, falling to his knees and being comforted by his coach. The Mexican had previously impressed in his losses to Tatsuro Taira and Joshua Van, but this was by far his best performance thus far. With the victory, Chairez is now 2-2 under the UFC banner, along with a No Contest against Daniel Lacerda in the pair’s first fight (Chairez would win the rematch).
Official Result: Edgar Chairez def. C.J. Vergara by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 2:30
