UFC Vegas 113 live blog: Mario Bautista vs. Vinicius Oliveira

This is the UFC Vegas 113 live blog for Mario Bautista vs. Vinicius Oliveira, the bantamweight main event Saturday in Las Vegas.

Currently No. 6 at bantamweight in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings, Bautista was on the cusp of a title shot last year after stringing together eight consecutive wins. Unfortunately, he fell just short against Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 321, dropping him back down into the thick of the stacked 135-pound division. A main event win over rising contender Oliveira could put him right back in the thick of the title race.

Oliveira has been on a tear since joining the UFC off of Contender Series in 2024. In four fights, “Lok Dog” has four wins, one Performance bonus, and two Fight of the Nights, vaulting him to the No. 14 position in the MMA Fighting rankings. Now, Oliveira has his sights set on a title run, and the first step is breaking into the top 10 with a win over Bautista.

Check out the live blog for Mario Bautista vs. Vinicius Oliveira below.

That was an exceptional performance from Kyoji Horiguchi. Give him a title shot. What’s Joshua Van doing and can they do it in Miami?

Anyway, main event time!

Lok Dog comes out to Fur Elise, lol. That rules. Quiet, elegant music. Not really reflective of this man’s fighting style. Love it.

Bautista comes out to Immigrant Song. He looks very serious.

Bautista is 2 years older but everything is is basically the same. Bautista is the favorite at -150, with Lok Dog at +125.

Joe Martinez gets the party started. Lok Dog is vibing. This is a confident young man. Bautista looks focused. This should be fun.

Bautista out in orthodox, Lok Dog in southpaw. Lok Dog looks a bit bigger in there. Tepid kicks to start from both men, gauging range. Both men fighting for the center and they come together in a clinch. Lok Dog turns Bautista to the fence with an underhook and they’re jockeying for position here. Not much damage on either end and eventually Bautista gets head position and circles out.

Lok Dog gets a little flashy in space but misses and then ducks in and Bautista nearly hits a harai goshi. The whizzer cranks Lok Dog down but he fends it off just barely and they are clinched against the fence again. Decent knee from Lok Dog in there but Bautista shoots off the cage and turns the takedown, finishing it and ending up in guard on top. Lok Dog immediately throws legs up and tries to attack a leg but Bautista defends and gets back down into top half.

Couple solid hammerfists from Bautista who stands over Lok Dog. He tries an ax kick and then punches down back into the guard. Lok Dog with butterflies but Bautista lands another shot over the guard. He stands again, looking to clear the legs to pass. Can’t do that but throws heavy right hand and re-enters. Then stands again. He keeps trying this standing pass and Lok Dog isn’t trying to stand up so Bautista chops the legs to end the round.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Bautista.

Lok Dog ot the center and swings HUGE punches that Bautista easily ducks under and gets a takedown. This time, Lok Dog pops right up to his feet but Bautista is holding the rear body lock and uses a trip to get him down again. Lok Dog pops up and Bautista jumps the back, but gives it up and gets a big takedown again. And again, Lok Dog up to his feet, with Bautista holding onto him.

Now Lok Dog turns into Bautista and lands an elbow as he breaks, but Bautista is right in his face again. Lok Dog with a left hand but Bautista cracks him with a body kick and he’s all pressure now. Bautista is going to break Lok Dog. He’s already slowing down and Mario can do this for a lifetime.

Lok Dog’s punches are sloooooooow now. Bautista throws a kick and Lok Dog catches and trips Bautista down, but immediately gets swept! Bautista is going to run away with this. That 50 pound weight cut is looking like a bad idea right about now.

Small work from Bautista on top in half guard. Lok Dog holding and waiting. Bautista tries another standing pass. He’s just working the man over now. Bautista moves to crucifix and he’s giving him the business! Lok Dog is dead tired and rolls and now Bautista has a kimura! Lok Dog rolls and Bautista is on the back!!!!!!! rer-naked choke is in with short time!!! And there’s the tap!!!!!!!!

What a whooping from Mario Bautista!!!

Mario Bautista def. Vinicius Oliveira via submission — 4:46, Round 2.

Bautista talks through the ending sequence, which was really nice. The sweep, the crucifix, the transition, and the choke.

“It was fully locked in. He wasn’t going anywhere.”

Bautista calls for a Top 5 opponent, and asks for a rematch with Cory Sandhagen.