Bantamweights Mario Bautista and Vinicius Oliveira both entered their first main event in the UFC atop Saturday’s UFC Vegas 113.
Bautista had seen an impressive eight-fight win streak snapped in his last outing, dropping a hard-fought decision against Umar Nurmagomedov. Oliveira was a newer face to the promotion, but his own rise had come quickly.
Bautista held center early, Olvieira working outside. They’d end up clinching less than a minute in, the fight going to the fence, where Oliveira had control initially. Not that it would last. And by the end of the opening frame, it was Bautista in control, Oliveira on his back. Bautista stood over him a bit, before opting to get back on top. Backed off again, kicked the leg, and fired a heavy right hand to the body. For his part, the Brazilian just laid back in guard until the horn.
Oliveira held center early in round two, but Bautista quickly changed levels under a punch and landed a takedown. When Oliveira scrambled up, Bautista threated to take the back; Oliveira was warned for grabbing the fence. Bautista landed a trip, then backpacked Oliveira before dropping back to his feet. Another takedown, maybe just a mat return, and Oliveira was back up. A smothering pace from Bautista, but Oliveira would find a home for his left hand just shy of two minutes in. The Brazilian appeared to be tiring just shy of the midway mark of the second round, in a five round fight no less.
Perhaps related to the massive 30 pounds of weight he cut in the week prior the UFC Vegas 113.
Bautista would end up being all over Oliveira on the ground, getting into a crucifix (with plenty of ground n’ pound), a kimura, and using that to take the back and set up a rear-naked choke. That last one was in tight, and Oliveira was soon tapping! A slick setup to the finish by Mario Bautista!
Official Result: Mario Bautista def. Vinicius Oliveira by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 2, 4:46
