LAS VEGAS – Mario Bautista entered UFC Fight Night 214 believing he was a level above his opponent, and the result supported that notion.
From the moment the fight began, Bautista (11-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) poured on the forward pressure with hard strikes. Mixing up kicks to the legs and hard punches upstairs, Bautista had Benito Lopez moving backward early.
Late in the round when the fight hit the mat, Bautista wrapped up Lopez (10-2 MMA, 2-2 UFC) in a triangle and began hunting for a finish. As Lopez attempted to scramble, his arm became an option for Bautista for an attack, and he did just that while the triangle became inverted.
