Two bantamweights looking to gain momentum in the division battled at UFC Vegas 105 on Saturday and Victor Henry took on Pedro Falcao.
Henry (24-7) stepped into the octagon for the seventh time in his UFC run that began in 2022. He holds victories over Raoni Barcelos, and Rani Yahya.
Falcao (16-4) gets his second official UFC fight coming off his debut last April. The Nova Uniao product fought just one day short of a full year since that first fight against Victor Hugo. He looked to score his first UFC win at the APEX.
Round 1 Falcao came out aggressive with the pressure going in with kicks and then left hands up top. Henry returned the favor landing leg kicks of his own before getting taken down. Henry did well to pop back up to his feet and force a clinch fight on the fence.
Henry was able to use the clinch to get a takedown. Falcao worked his way back to his feet, and returned to the pressure game.
About halfway through the round Henry landed a solid right hand that sent Falcao to the ground. Henry landed on top of him looking to score some damage from ground and pound. The Brazilian was in no hurry to get back to his feet and he dealt with the kicks to the legs from Henry.
Falcao got back to the feet as Henry wanted no part of grappling hoping to keep this one on the feet. Falcao attempted a takedown, but was unable to secure it. With 10 seconds left Henry landed a solid combo.
Round 2 Henry looked to put pressure of his own on Falcao, but ate enough hands to discourage him for the time being. Falcao began landing some really tough leg kicks, but Henry played it off like they didn’t cause any damage.
Falcao’s leg kicks forced Henry to protect that lead leg, but in doing so, opened himself up for a slick takedown. Henry got back to his feet, but ended up getting picked up and slammed right back down. In the grappling exchange Falcao looked for an arm bar, but Henry was able to get back to his feet.
Henry began to get some momentum with the pressure and landing on Falcao on the feet, but then got taken down with just over a minute left in the round. After a quick exchange on the ground Henry got back to his feet.
Round 3 Falcao scored a quick takedown 15 seconds in, Henry rolled through looking for a knee bar, but Falcao kept control and took the back. Henry spun enough to take top position and put Falcao on the defense.
They got back to the feet, Falcao shot in again, Henry stuffed it. Falcao backed off after a short clinch exchange on the fence. Henry showed that trademark toughness keeping the pressure on Falcao and stuffing more takedowns, and even got one of his own. Falcao got ahold of a leg and looked for a leg lock, bailed on it, and shot in for a double, but Henry was able to stuff it once again.
With 30 seconds left Henry opted to move around a lot, then come in and land on Falcao with 10 seconds left, and the fight was sent to the judges to be decided.
Official Result: Victor Henry def. Pedro Falcao via Unanimous Decision (29-28×3)
