The second of three main card flyweight fights at UFC Mexico City on Saturday found Mexico’s Edgar Chairez paired up with Felipe Bunes of Brazil.
Chairez, 2-2 in the UFC to date, was entering off a victory over CJ Vergara roughly 11 months ago; Bunes was hoping to shake off a loss against Rafael Estevam back in August.
Going into the beginning of the first round, both gentleman were feeling each other out trying to find their rhythm and range. Chairez was able to establish the jab early on and really played the counter game, having an answer for everything Bunes was throwing out— until Bunes was able to jump the back of Chairez, finding the body triangle while Chairez was still on his feet. Bunes was able to keep this position for most of the round, landing strikes and raining down elbows to the shoulders and arms of Chairez. Bunes ended round one with the score cards on his side.
Chairez opened the second round pressing the action, really mixing it up with his strikes going upstairs and downstairs with his boxing. Showing beautiful head movement and finding a lot of success on his feet. In the last 30 seconds of the second round Bunes began to bait Chairez in almost a “Bring It On” manner, where he shortly after landed an accidental kick to the groin of Chairez. That required him to take the time out, of which he only took less than a minute to recover. As they got back to work, Chairez ended the round in a good way, landing a spinning back fist followed by a flurry of shots to the bell.
Bunes entered the third and final round with much more urgency, still signaling to Chairez to bring on the fight. His gestures were similar to the Holloway point down, just not quite to that extent. Bunes was able to hit the snatch single in the first minute of the third round, although he was unable to keep Chairez down long. Chairez kicked Bunes away and found his way back to his feet landing a nice, crisp spinning elbow. Although Chairez was one step ahead in the striking department, he was also the one wearing more of the damage.
That being said, Chairez really could not miss his jab tonight! He was having much success landing that to the body and head. Bunes was nowhere near backing down from the fight; nearing the end of the third he was still signaling to Chairez to bring the fight. And getting just that— Chairez closed the fight landing a spinning back kick followed by a flying knee in the final seconds of the third round.
A back and fourth fight, very well matched with Edgar Chairez being just one step ahead in this chess match of the two flyweights.
Official Result: Edgar Chairez def. Felipe Bunes by Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
