Victor Henry’s got the magic trio: patience, persistence, and precision. They all played their part beautifully. Under the watchful eye of Josh Barnett, Henry’s been making waves. Big waves. In the UFC’s bantamweight division, he’s not just participating; he’s dominating. His latest victory? A stunning head kick followed by a barrage of punches that took Rani Yahya down in the third round. This all went down at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, making for a memorable UFC on ESPN 55 prelim.
Oh, and by the way, Henry’s record? Impressive doesn’t quite cut it: 24-6, with a 3-1 in the UFC. The referee, Jason Herzog, had to step in at 2:36 into Round 1. Talk about making a statement.
Yahya started strong, outpacing Henry in the first round. But, as the fight progressed, it was clear who had the upper hand. Henry’s right hands in the second round were just the beginning. He nearly finished Yahya with elbows and punches. Yahya hung in there, but by Round 3, he was fading fast. Henry’s strategy? Keep him at bay, then go in for the kill. A right hand, a head kick, and a flurry of punches later, Herzog had seen enough.
Switching gears, Austin Hubbard found his way back to the win column. He clinched a unanimous decision against Michal Figlak in a gripping lightweight match. All judges were in agreement, scoring it 29-28 in Hubbard’s favor. Hubbard’s now sitting at 16-7, with a UFC record of 4-5.
Figlak, on the other hand, showed skill and technique but couldn’t match Hubbard’s versatility. Despite a strong third round, Figlak’s efforts were too little, too late. Hubbard’s victory marks his third in the last four fights, proving he’s still a force to be reckoned with.
Don’Tale Mayes also made headlines, securing a unanimous decision over Caio Machado. This heavyweight bout had everyone on the edge of their seats. Mayes, bouncing back from a recent loss, showed no signs of slowing down. The judges all agreed, handing him a 29-28 victory across the board.
Machado had his moments but couldn’t land a decisive blow. Mayes, with his power punches and steady jab, kept Machado at bay. Despite a late push from Machado, Mayes’ defense was impenetrable. This victory marks a significant rebound for Mayes, showcasing his resilience and determination.
Chris Padilla, stepping in on short notice, made a statement by submitting James Llontop with a rear-naked choke. This lightweight clash ended at 4:33 into Round 1, with Padilla showcasing his grappling prowess. Llontop’s 12-fight winning streak came to an abrupt end, marking a significant victory for Padilla.
Ivana Petrovic, overcoming a slow start, secured a win against Na Liang with an arm-triangle choke in the third round. This victory was a comeback for Petrovic, who had faced a setback in her previous fight. Liang, despite a strong start, couldn’t maintain her momentum, allowing Petrovic to take control and secure the win.
In other action, Ketlen Souza and Maheshate Hayisaer both secured victories in their respective bouts. Souza took a unanimous decision against Marnic Mann, while Hayisaer won a closely contested split decision against Gabriel Benitez. These fights added to the excitement of the event, showcasing the depth of talent in the UFC.