LAS VEGAS – Bantamweight Mario Bautista is starting to come out of his shell, and put his time on the microphone to good use at UFC Fight Night 221.
After submitting Guido Cannetti in an exciting first round, Bautista (12-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) made it known exactly who he wants next, which is something he typically hasn’t done in the past. The win over Cannetti (10-7 MMA, 4-6 UFC) marked Bautista’s fourth-straight victory, and third consecutive first-round finish – a run he believes is worthy of a top 15 opponent, or a particular former champion.
“I thought I was going to get a top 15 after (Brian) Kelleher,” Bautista told reporters at the post-fight news conference. “And then I got Benito (Lopez), and then Guido. I’m doing what I’m supposed to do: finishing these guys in the first round.