UFC Vegas 113 Results: Mario Bautista Edges Vinicius Oliveira in Bantamweight Barnburner

The UFC APEX in Las Vegas played host to a pivotal night for the bantamweight division, as rising contenders Mario Bautista and Vinicius Oliveira delivered a tactical war in the main event of UFC Vegas 113. In a fight that lived up to its high-stakes billing, it was Bautista who navigated Oliveira’s explosive power to secure a hard-fought decision victory, re-establishing himself in the 135-pound hierarchy. The co-main event saw a flyweight thriller with significant title implications, capping off a night of consequential action.

A Strategic Chess Match at 135 Pounds

The UFC Vegas 113 main event was a classic clash of styles. Mario Bautista, coming off his first loss in five years to the formidable Umar Nurmagomedov, needed a statement win. Standing across from him was the surging Brazilian, Vinicius “Lok Dog” Oliveira, riding a wave of six consecutive wins, most of which ended violently. The question was clear: could Bautista’s well-rounded, pressure-heavy game neutralize Oliveira’s one-shot knockout power?

The answer unfolded over five tense rounds. Bautista, demonstrating immense fight IQ, refused to play into Oliveira’s hands. He consistently closed distance behind a sharp jab and relentless forward pressure, expertly mixing in level changes. While Oliveira remained a constant threat with his looping power shots and unorthodox movement, Bautista’s volume and control of the octagon center were telling. He successfully implemented a high-volume striking attack combined with timely takedowns, never allowing Oliveira to settle into a rhythm. In the championship rounds, Bautista’s pace proved the difference, as he continued to press forward while Oliveira’s output waned. The judges’ scorecards reflected Bautista’s consistent work, awarding him a unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46, 49-46).

Key Takeaways from Bautista vs. Oliveira:

• Mario Bautista’s Resilience: Bounced back from a high-profile loss with a composed, veteran performance.
• Volume Over Power: Bautista’s significant strike advantage (158 to 98) underscored his effective game plan.
• Oliveira’s Stock Remains High: Despite the loss, “Lok Dog” proved he belongs with the division’s elite and his power is a permanent threat.

Flyweight Fireworks: Horiguchi Outduels Albazi in Co-Main Event

The UFC Vegas 113 co-main event was a flyweight showcase with major implications. Former RIZIN and Bellator champion Kyoji Horiguchi faced the gritty contender Amir Albazi in a bout that promised technical brilliance. The fight delivered exactly that, with Horiguchi edging out a razor-thin split decision in a back-and-forth battle.

Horiguchi’s blinding speed and pinpoint counter-striking were on full display early. He consistently found a home for his left hook and straight right hand as Albazi pressed forward. However, Albazi’s durability and relentless pressure never wavered. The Iraqi fighter had his moments, particularly in the third round where he stunned Horiguchi with a clean right hand and threatened with a deep guillotine choke. The final round saw both men leaving everything in the cage, trading heavy shots in the center. When the scores were read, two judges saw it for Horiguchi (29-28, 29-28), while one dissented for Albazi (29-28). This pivotal flyweight victory puts Horiguchi immediately in the title conversation, while Albazi, in defeat, showed the heart of a top-five fighter.

UFC Vegas 113: Main Card Results & Quick Analysis

Beyond the top two bouts, the main card set the stage with several impressive performances. Here are the UFC Vegas 113 results for the main card bouts:

• Mario Bautista def. Vinicius Oliveira via Unanimous Decision (48-47, 49-46, 49-46)
• Kyoji Horiguchi def. Amir Albazi via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Joanderson Brito def. Jonathan Pearce via TKO (Punches) – Round 2, 3:54. Brito’s ferocious power was too much, earning a violent stoppage.
• Iasmin Lucindo def. Polyana Viana via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28). Lucindo’s grappling control dominated the affair.
• Miles Johns def. Cody Gibson via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27). Johns showcased improved striking and fight management.

What’s Next: The Fallout from Fight Night

UFC Vegas 113 provided clarity and created new intriguing matchups in two of the UFC’s most talent-rich divisions. Mario Bautista successfully erased the memory of his loss to Nurmagomedov and now sits on the fringe of the top 10. A fight against another established veteran like Ricky Simón or a rising force like Miles Johns (who also won on the card) makes perfect sense for his next step.

For Kyoji Horiguchi, the path is even clearer. His win over the #5-ranked Albazi should catapult him into the flyweight top five. A title eliminator against the winner of an upcoming bout between Brandon Royval and Muhammad Mokaev could be in order, positioning him for a potential shot at the winner of Alexandre Pantoja vs. Steve Erceg.

While Vinicius Oliveira and Amir Albazi fell short, their performances were far from disqualifying. Both men proved they can hang with the division’s best. Oliveira’s electrifying style will always make him a must-watch, and a bout against another action fighter like Adrian Yanez would be fireworks. Albazi’s grit warrants another high-level matchup, potentially against a fellow contender looking to rebound.

Final Conclusion

UFC Vegas 113 was a night defined by calculated aggression and career-defining moments. Mario Bautista answered his biggest career question, proving he can game-plan and execute against dangerous, elite competition. Kyoji Horiguchi announced his official return as a UFC title threat in a flyweight division desperate for fresh challengers. The event served as a potent reminder that the roads to the bantamweight and flyweight titles are paved with peril, and the next generation of contenders is ready to carve their own paths. The results from the APEX will resonate through the rankings for months to come.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.