The principle card, UFC Vegas 111, had a packed end, with all 5 winners ending inside placing distance on a fun-filled night time at UFC APEX in Sin Metropolis.
UFC Vegas 111 Energy Rankings
RDX Sports activities Editor-in-Chief and veteran MMA author Simon Head presents his energy rankings for UFC Vegas 111, with a take a look at the winners of the primary card.
1. Christian Leroy Duncan
The previous Cage Warriors middleweight champion has steadily honed his abilities on the world stage since becoming a member of the UFC, and now seems to be on the verge of a breakthrough.
Duncan has at all times been an incredible striker, however in recent times his defensive wrestling and clinch work on the fence have actually improved and he has labored exhausting to create extra possibilities along with his mainstay, his placing.
And within the newest version of ‘CLD’, he confirmed the newest stage in his evolution as he handled every thing Marco Torio might throw at him, earlier than ending off with a shocking spinning backfist, adopted by an enormous proper hand that when once more warned him that it was a nasty concept to face in entrance of ‘CLD’ carrying MMA gloves.
Duncan is making the correct strikes and might not be far off from knocking on the highest 15 middleweight door.
2. Joseph Morales
Joseph Morales put in one other spectacular efficiency, defeating former rating contender Matt Schnell and incomes himself a spot to face a higher-ranked opponent in his subsequent matchup.
Morales wanted simply 2 minutes and 54 seconds to complete off Schnell, who had three fights between 2017 and 2018, with a guillotine choke. Schnell went on to return to the Octagon with a victory.
Morales went 1-2 contained in the Octagon throughout that run, however is 2-0 since his return, with each wins coming by submission. And if he can proceed to carry out like he did Saturday, Morales can be on monitor to turn out to be one of many division’s elite.
3. Gabriel Bonfim
Some have questioned the way in which Gabriel Bonfim stopped the battle that resulted in his second-round TKO victory over Randy Brown, however referee Mark Smith’s eventual determination to intervene and cease the battle shouldn’t have any bearing on how Bonfim’s efficiency ought to be considered.
Bonfim fought well, exhibiting nice combating IQ, timing Browne and principally avoiding hazard, then stepping in and touchdown energy photographs to ascertain his weapon in a cat-and-mouse first spherical.
By spherical two, Bonfim had his sights set and was making good photographs. And connecting with an enormous knee that landed flat on Brown’s jaw as he dipped to alter ranges, sending “Impolite Boy” flying backwards and falling to the canvas.
Brown seemed to be out and was solely woken up by hitting the canvas. Smyslev jumped in and shook him off, giving Bonfim a shocking second-round victory. Brown’s speedy protests recommended he would possibly proceed, however because the knee appeared to knock the Jamaican out flash, the victory regarded honest sufficient.
Bonfim is already within the UFC’s official welterweight rankings and ought to be scheduled for a battle towards a higher-ranked fighter. Nevertheless, discovering appropriate opponents is usually a tough process for UFC matchmakers, because the division at present seems to be crowded.
4. Chris Padilla
It is time for folks to cease sleeping with Chris “Taco” Padilla.
The 30-year-old is within the fourth battle of his UFC profession and has an ideal file of 4-0 contained in the Octagon. He has additionally coated each contingency within the battle’s end result: one submission, one physician stoppage, one break up determination, and one ground-and-pound TKO end on Saturday night time.
In opposition to Ismael Bonfim, Padilla used his protection and fight IQ to soak up the most effective strikes Bonfim might throw at him. And, maybe figuring out that Bonfim would possibly get sore as he dropped 5 kilos and the battle dragged on, Padilla went to work, ending off his Brazilian opponent by hammering Bonfim’s physique and draining his gasoline tank, then hitting him within the head as Bonfim wore out.
Padilla, at present on a seven-fight successful streak, has confirmed he has the stamina and relentless strategy to beat any bother the light-weight division might have.
5. Uros Medic
On most different nights, Uros Medic’s efficiency would have positioned him larger on the facility rankings record, however with a battle to the end, this week he sits at quantity 5 on the record.
The match itself was over virtually earlier than it began, but it surely was all right down to the astute work of Medic, who established vary early on and dropped Muslim Salikhov exhausting with a ramrod straight left.
In consequence, Medic completed 2025 with 2 wins and 1 loss, and entered 2026 with two consecutive wins, giving him a powerful end in each matches.
Simon Head is the Editor-in-Chief of RDX Sports activities, a famend martial arts gear firm.
