Career Averages - Édgar Cháirez
Career Averages - Felipe Bunes
Édgar Cháirez - Fight History
The host picks Bruno Silva, noting that Silva is better on the mat and can counter while moving forward on the feet. He believes Silva's opportunistic takedowns and slick transitions will give him the edge. He also mentions that Silva does not accept bottom position and is quick to attack submissions.
AJ picks Bruno Silva due to his well-rounded game, strong wrestling, and experience against elite competition. He views Cháirez as having questionable fight IQ and less proven wins. AJ expects Silva to outwork Cháirez over three rounds, possibly winning a decision, and notes Silva's toughness and activity as green flags.
Angelo picks Bruno Silva, citing his power and output advantage. He believes Silva will be the one moving forward and dictating pace, making Cháirez uncomfortable. He notes that when pressured, Cháirez tends to back up and doesn't fight as comfortably, and may get taken down where he throws up random submissions.
Big Brady picks Édgar Cháirez to win by third round knockout. He thinks the market is low on Cháirez after a poor performance in Mexico City, but expects Cháirez to return to his aggressive style. He notes that Bruno Silva is older and has been finished multiple times, and that Cháirez has a good chance to land a big shot late.
Édgar Cháirez is the underdog but has power and range with head kicks and jabs. Bruno Silva is past his prime and likely won't take the fight to the ground. Cháirez will win by decision, using his reach advantage and boxing, as Silva's recent performances have been poor.
Cody picks Cháirez as a slight underdog, noting it's a 50/50 fight. He cites Cháirez's youth, reach advantage, and better gas tank. Silva is older and may slow down. He prefers the plus money on Cháirez.
Bruno Silva is picked because he has faster hands, more power, and better wrestling than Édgar Cháirez. Cháirez struggled against Felipe Bunes and has a tendency to pull guard and sit in his guard. Silva's aggressive pressure and ground and pound should overwhelm Cháirez. The host expects a decision win, as both are durable.
Silva has more pathways to victory with his grappling and wrestling advantage. Chavez has been taken down by lesser wrestlers. Silva should bank the first round with takedowns and win a decision.
Lucrative James picks Édgar Cháirez, citing Bruno Silva's age (36) and recent decline at flyweight, where fighters peak young. He notes Cháirez's finishing ability, having hurt top fighters like Joshua Van and Tatsuro Taira, and Silva's increased vulnerability. He predicts Cháirez will hurt Silva on the feet and secure a submission, possibly a guillotine or rear-naked choke.
Silva's pressure, calf kicks, and boxing combinations should overwhelm Cháirez, who lacks one-punch knockout power. Silva dictates the pace and avoids submission threats, grinding out a decision. The -135 line is acceptable.
Paul picks Silva but is hesitant, noting both fighters are durable and the fight likely goes to decision. He prefers the over 2.5 rounds prop as the best bet. He admits Silva is a fan pick.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Édgar Cháirez | 0 | 66 of 136 | 48% | 69 of 139 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Felipe Bunes | 0 | 54 of 132 | 40% | 113 of 202 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 3:50 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Édgar Cháirez | 0 | 4 of 9 | 44% | 6 of 11 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Felipe Bunes | 0 | 5 of 13 | 38% | 64 of 81 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 3:26 | |
| 2 | Édgar Cháirez | 0 | 21 of 52 | 40% | 21 of 52 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Felipe Bunes | 0 | 20 of 53 | 37% | 20 of 53 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Édgar Cháirez | 0 | 41 of 75 | 54% | 42 of 76 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Felipe Bunes | 0 | 29 of 66 | 43% | 29 of 68 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Édgar Cháirez | 66 of 136 | 48% | 41 of 104 | 18 of 23 | 7 of 9 | 63 of 133 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 |
| Felipe Bunes | 54 of 132 | 40% | 44 of 115 | 5 of 10 | 5 of 7 | 52 of 129 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Édgar Cháirez | 4 of 9 | 44% | 1 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Felipe Bunes | 5 of 13 | 38% | 3 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 10 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Édgar Cháirez | 21 of 52 | 40% | 14 of 42 | 6 of 7 | 1 of 3 | 20 of 51 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Felipe Bunes | 20 of 53 | 37% | 15 of 46 | 2 of 4 | 3 of 3 | 20 of 53 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Édgar Cháirez | 41 of 75 | 54% | 26 of 56 | 11 of 15 | 4 of 4 | 40 of 74 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Felipe Bunes | 29 of 66 | 43% | 26 of 58 | 2 of 5 | 1 of 3 | 29 of 66 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Chairez (-300); Bunes (+250)
Round 1
Two flyweights who have struggled as of late will collide with hopes of gaining just a wisp of momentum in their speedy weight class. Chairez (12-6, 1 NC; 2-2, 1 NC UFC) has the crowd on his side in a big way, while Bunes (14-8, 1-2 UFC) is showered in boos and looks to spoil their mood. Referee Marc Goddard is on top of things for as long as the match lasts, bearing witness to a glove touch that opens the fight up.
Bunes stands tall to open the fight, walking down the local favorite with his right hand firing. Chairez backs him off with his jab, but not for long as Bunes pushes the pace on him. Chairez drills the lead leg with a kick, and Bunes frowns, swings hard and shoots in on the hips for a takedown. Chairez defends the initial offering, leaning his head against the cage to keep himself on his feet. Bunes holds on from behind before speedily climbing onto the back to take it standing, and he locks down a body triangle. Bunes starts slugging away with his free left hand while Chairez holds the other to block a choke setup. Bunes elbows Chairez in the side and shoulder, and he is warned for leaning his arm on top of the cage.
Chairez hand-fights to protect his neck, and Bunes nearly snatches it up and is again fussed at for resting his arm on the cage. Fans in the building erupt with frustration as Bunes rests on the top of the cage, and the Brazilian hacks down with multiple unorthodox elbows to the top of the shoulder. Chairez looks confused that strikes are raining down from those angles and actually affecting him, but he is biding his time and hanging on without getting strangled. Bunes picks his elbows carefully so that he does not strike the mohawk line on the top of the head, and he lets loose with clubbing right hands before wrapping his arm around Chairez’ face. Chairez jumps to the ground to slap Bunes down on his back, and the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Bunes
Christian Stein scores the round: 10-9 Bunes
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Bunes
Round 2
The fighters touch gloves to get going in this round, where Chairez fires off a chopping kick and slips away from a looping left hook. Bunes scores his own low kick, and he aims a stomp kick to the knee before ripping his shin to the body with his free leg. Chairez spins with a back fist that misses the mark, and he walks Bunes down and slugs him in the chin. Bunes fires back, doing enough damage to force Chairez to stop pressuring him for a moment. Bunes reaches out with a right hand, parrying a few jab offerings from his opponent as both men look for options. Chairez bangs a left hand off the guard and follows a right straight to the solar plexus. He then chains a few punches together, only for Bunes to meet him in the pocket with a trio of fists that knock him back.
Chairez resets and smacks Bunes with a spinning back fist, and Bunes has nothing to answer back with and keeps his guard up to defend another that Chairez fakes. Chairez digs a front kick to the torso and hand-fights to protect his mug, and he steps back to avoid a back fist aimed at his face. Chairez dips in an uppercut and a left hook, leading Bunes to strike him back heavily. Bunes headhunts, and Chairez’s head movement and elusiveness are keeping him from taking much damage this round. Bunes goes high with a kick, and Chairez tries to do the same as both men do not connect flush. Bunes gets rocked with a jab and gathers his thoughts to swing back, but he slips. Chairez walks directly into a turning back kick to the pectoral, and Bunes tosses out an inside thigh kick that goes high and cracks into the cup. Goddard calls time as Chairez winces and rubs his eye, which has some damage on it as well as blood leaks into his eye. Chairez bounces up and down and is ready to go in 45 seconds, and he wants to throw down and does just that. Chairez punches his way into a spin, and he knocks Bunes back a bit as the horn ends the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Chairez
Christian Stein scores the round: 10-9 Chairez
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Chairez
Round 3
The last round opens with jabs from both sides, and Chairez scores with his uppercut as Bunes asks for more. Chants for Chairez echo through the arena, but they are quickly silenced when Bunes shoots for and completes a takedown. Chairez kicks off and gets back up, and he intercepts Bunes with a spinning elbow. Bunes backpedals, and Chairez pours it on with a few right hands and a crisp uppercut. Bunes again waves him on, so Chairez does just that by blasting him with body shots. Bunes grits his teeth but is taking damage and not offering much back, and Chairez puts a low kick on him and a few punches to keep him guessing. Chairez rips a right hand upstairs, and Bunes has to back off and take a quick count of his teeth. Bunes jabs the body with a kick and motions that it’s time to brawl, but Chairez does not engage recklessly.
Chairez picks his shots, spinning with a back kick to the body. Bunes sticks him with a jab and backs him off, further bloodying up an already damaged Chairez. Chairez offers up his own power jabs, switching stances and waving his hands around to fluster the Brazilian. Chairez kicks to both legs and swats out a left hand twice, and Bunes slaps his chest to demand he bring it on. Chairez stays in kickboxing range, reaching out with his long left hand and barely blocking a high kick in time. Chairez drills his man in the eye socket with a left hand, and Bunes backpedals in a hurry to protect himself while claiming it was a poke, as Goddard calls for them to keep fighting. Chairez walks Bunes down and digs body shots to open up strike upstairs, and he pushes out a front kick to the sternum. Chairez spins with a wheel kick that slams into Bunes’ head, further knocking him around with two swarming punches, a jump knee and a charge that is stopped before he lands further as time is up. It could go either way, likely depending on how the second round was scored.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Chairez (29-28 Chairez)
Christian Stein scores the round: 10-9 Bunes (29-28 Bunes)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Chairez (29-28 Chairez)
The Official Result
Edgar Chairez def. Felipe Bunes via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Angelo picks Édgar Cháirez, describing him as a well-rounded fighter with good striking, takedowns, and BJJ. He notes Cháirez's toughness and quality losses to top fighters. He believes Cháirez is too long and tricky for Felipe Bunes, and expects him to win as long as he doesn't get caught in a submission.
Big Brady is high on Édgar Cháirez, praising his toughness, dangerous jiu-jitsu, and improved boxing. He notes Felipe Bunes has poor cardio (especially in elevation) and is dangerous early but likely to gas. Brady predicts Cháirez will hurt Bunes on the feet, Bunes will shoot a sloppy takedown, and Cháirez will snatch a submission, possibly a first-round club and sub.
Cody agrees with Paul, highlighting Cháirez's pace, durability, and altitude preparation. He sees Bunes as a prime candidate to fade due to his explosive but unsustainable style. He expects Cháirez to win as the fight progresses.
Connor also picks Cháirez but notes that Bunes is a creative striker who can find his timing and land shots. He points out that Bunes's wrestling is a weakness, but Cháirez doesn't wrestle much. However, Connor believes Cháirez's toughness and willingness to push the pace will earn him the win, though it could be a war.
Daniel does not discuss this fight in the transcript.
The host considers this a dog-or-pass fight. Cháirez is a heavy favorite at -347, but the odds feel too wide. He notes that Cháirez has power but slows down, while Bunes has volume but is older and not a finisher. The host would have to bet Bunes if betting, but expects him to lose.
James views Cháirez as the more well-rounded fighter with better striking, cardio, and durability. He believes Bunes' reckless style will lead to fatigue, allowing Cháirez to finish him. James predicts Cháirez wins inside the distance.
The host picks Édgar Cháirez inside the distance, expecting a second or third round finish. He notes Cháirez's Muay Thai and jiu-jitsu, and believes his cardio will outlast Bunes, who fades after the first round. He likes the 'fight doesn't go to decision' prop at -200 rather than the chalky line on Cháirez.
Paul likes Cháirez's durability, training at altitude, and well-rounded game. He notes Bunes fades after the first round and has poor cardio. He expects Cháirez to take over in rounds 2 and 3 and is comfortable parlaying him.
The MMA Guru picks Édgar Cháirez, noting that he looked much better against Joshua Van than Felipe Bunes did. He describes Cháirez as a tricky fighter who is big for flyweight and has finishing potential, predicting a finish in the first two rounds. He also cites the Mexico City altitude advantage for Cháirez.
Zane picks Cháirez because he is the more consistent round-to-round danger and has an instinctive sense of where he stands in the fight. He notes that Bunes often starts slow and needs time to process, while Cháirez will increase aggression and take the fight to him. Zane also mentions that Cháirez is rangier and fights long, which could trouble Bunes.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Édgar Cháirez | 0 | 8 of 27 | 29% | 8 of 27 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:16 |
| C.J. Vergara | 0 | 6 of 13 | 46% | 6 of 13 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Édgar Cháirez | 0 | 8 of 27 | 29% | 8 of 27 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:16 |
| C.J. Vergara | 0 | 6 of 13 | 46% | 6 of 13 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Édgar Cháirez | 8 of 27 | 29% | 8 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 7 of 25 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 1 |
| C.J. Vergara | 6 of 13 | 46% | 1 of 2 | 0 of 3 | 5 of 8 | 6 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Édgar Cháirez | 8 of 27 | 29% | 8 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 7 of 25 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 1 |
| C.J. Vergara | 6 of 13 | 46% | 1 of 2 | 0 of 3 | 5 of 8 | 6 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Chairez (-278), Vergara (+225)
Round 1
It is unfortunate that in the year 2025, the UFC is still depositing a match between two fighters with losing records in the promotion this high on its billing. It originally was a bit lower, but when Pyfer vs. Gastelum fell off, this flyweight encounter shifted up to this slot. If there is a silver lining, it is that one of these two will hold the coveted .500 mark in the Octagon at night’s end. Whether that is Chairez (11-6, 1 NC; 1-2, 1 NC UFC) or Vergara (12-6-1, 3-4 UFC), referee Marc Goddard will be the first to know. A respectful glove touch starts things off, and Vergara comes out firing with a one-two that is off the mark. Chairez gets behind his jab, take full advantage of his long reach, and they trade low kicks. Chairez just misses with an uppercut, but his jab is already reddening the face of Vergara. Vergara comes up short on his own offense, and Chairez is able to pick at him from his preferred distance. Jabs continue popping Vergara in the face until calf kicks fly his direction, reddening and welting it in a hurry. Chairez lines up a jab and loops a left hook behind it, flooring Vergara for a moment. Vergara gets back up and tries to escape, but Chairez is on him and backs him to the wall with swinging fists. Vergara drops to his knees, and rather than punch his man out,
the Mexican leaps on Vergara’s back and wraps up a rear-naked choke. The submission is almost instantly tight, but it does not slide underneath the American’s chin and is settled firmly on his jaw. Chairez, destined on keeping his 100% finish rate intact, crushes the face crank with all his might. The sheer horsepower from the squeeze is enough for Vergara to surrender
, and Goddard recognizes the tap and gets between them. The victor, completely overcome with emotion, goes to his corner and then drops to his knees in tears, just now processing what he accomplished in front of thousands of screaming fans. Chairez has the building in the palm of his hands, yet he cannot stop weeping.
The Official Result
Edgar Chairez def. C.J. Vergara R1 2:30 via Submission (Face Crank)
Connor picks Cháirez despite acknowledging his flaws, such as dropping for guillotines and compromising his range. He believes Cháirez is the more likely damage dealer and that Vergara's athletic limitations will be a wall. However, he is not particularly confident due to Cháirez's inconsistency.
Zane picks Cháirez, noting that Vergara's boxing and wrestling game could be effective but that Cháirez's long straight punches and willingness to work in close make him dangerous. He thinks Vergara may get caught stepping back. Zane is not fully confident due to Cháirez's tendency to make bad decisions.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joshua Van | 0 | 79 of 189 | 41% | 87 of 197 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:27 |
| Édgar Cháirez | 0 | 118 of 200 | 59% | 183 of 276 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:26 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joshua Van | 0 | 40 of 81 | 49% | 40 of 81 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Édgar Cháirez | 0 | 23 of 48 | 47% | 23 of 48 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Joshua Van | 0 | 28 of 73 | 38% | 33 of 78 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Édgar Cháirez | 0 | 71 of 108 | 65% | 101 of 144 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:14 | |
| 3 | Joshua Van | 0 | 11 of 35 | 31% | 14 of 38 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:27 |
| Édgar Cháirez | 0 | 24 of 44 | 54% | 59 of 84 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:12 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joshua Van | 79 of 189 | 41% | 46 of 145 | 12 of 18 | 21 of 26 | 77 of 187 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Édgar Cháirez | 118 of 200 | 59% | 79 of 155 | 24 of 30 | 15 of 15 | 109 of 187 | 4 of 4 | 5 of 9 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joshua Van | 40 of 81 | 49% | 15 of 52 | 6 of 8 | 19 of 21 | 39 of 80 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Édgar Cháirez | 23 of 48 | 47% | 12 of 37 | 4 of 4 | 7 of 7 | 23 of 48 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Joshua Van | 28 of 73 | 38% | 21 of 62 | 6 of 8 | 1 of 3 | 27 of 72 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Édgar Cháirez | 71 of 108 | 65% | 52 of 85 | 14 of 18 | 5 of 5 | 67 of 104 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Joshua Van | 11 of 35 | 31% | 10 of 31 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 2 | 11 of 35 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Édgar Cháirez | 24 of 44 | 54% | 15 of 33 | 6 of 8 | 3 of 3 | 19 of 35 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 9 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Van (-218), Chairez (+180)
Round 1
Plugging right along, flyweights take center stage in a fast-paced matchup that is likely to make referee Mark Smith dizzy before it is all over. Once expecting to battle Kevin Borjas, the tables have turned and previously favored Chairez (11-5, 1 NC; 1-1, 1 NC UFC) is now an underdog to replacement Van (10-2, 3-1 UFC). With finish rates of 100% and 80%, respectively, the two will go to battle in hopes of leaving the judges out of the equation once more. They touch gloves before getting down to it, and Chairez introduces himself with three quick kicks. Van resets, and Chairez walks him down to kick him another time in the lead leg. Van fires back, but the kick is checked with a thump. Chairez jabs with the ball of his foot and slams home an outside low kick, and he chambers to release a body kick. Van is getting chewed up by kicks, and Chairez opens up with a pair of swatting left hands. Van lets loose a head kick, and he doubles up on a jab that may have poked Chairez in the eye. Smith warns Van about his outstretched fingers, and Chairez hammers the front leg of his opponent with two more kicks. When Chairez stutter-steps his way in, Van counters with a right hand over the top. Chairez nails the calf once more with a kick, and as Van attempts to counter, Chairez kicks it again. Chairez scoops an uppercut that bangs in the chin of his foe, and Van shakes it off and sticks out a jab. Van evades a low kick but is not out of the way of a sharp jab, and a second kick from Chairez shakes Van up. Van gathers his thoughts and gets up close and personal to throw hands, only to get met with a step-in knee. They both kick one another low, but Chairez’ is much more powerful and damaging. Chairez whiffs on a one-two, but he uses his jab to set strikes up. Van dips under a jab to loop a right hand over the guard, and he connects with two low kicks on the way out. Van scores another low kick that irritates Chairez, but Chairez kicks him back and forces him to limp as well. Chairez’ jab and low kick seemingly cannot miss, and he plants a body kick to the ribs and pecks out with jabs. Van misses on a wheel kick, and Chairez smiles at him and pushes out a jab and a left hook. When Van throws a naked leg kick, Chairez sets him down with a powerful straight right hand. Van pops back up, and Chairez is in his face throwing punches. Chairez calms himself down after missing with a kick, but Van wants to keep swinging in the pocket. Van succeeds in brushing a left hand by the jaw, and Chairez answers with an Andy Hug-inspired spin kick to the lower leg. The horn sounds after the unorthodox blow.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Chairez
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Chairez
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Chairez
Round 2
After a glove touch, Chairez says hello with a leaping knee. Van pushes past it and puts his hands together. Chairez keeps him at bay with jabs and low kicks, and one calf kick from Van makes Chairez change stances. Van sits down on a short left hand and hammers the front leg with two kicks, and Chaires frowns and tries to give him back a few punches. Van is quicker to the punch on these exchanges, starting combinations first and ending them last. Van strings several punches up high to body, and Chairez leans over showing he is a little hurt. Van turns it on, chasing after the Mexican and letting loose a flurry of fists and feet. Chairez feebly responds, but Van breaks him down with body shots. Van unloads an onslaught of punches and kicks, especially targeting the body, and Chairez is barely on his feet and leaned against the fence. Chairez grabs the fence with one arm, and when Van sells out for a blitz, he spins with a back fist that smashes Van in the face. Van staggers back to the wall, and now it is he who is hurt badly. Van tries to compromise himself by tackling Chairez to the ground, and they both share a laugh and catch their breath after ferocious exchanges. Van decides to stand back up, and they get back to it, with Van landing punch combinations and aiming at the body. Chairez digs deep and launches an overhand right that rocks the man from Myanmar. Van tries to steel himself and charge into the fray, and Chairez jumps guard with a guillotine choke that is tight in an instant. Van manages to work his head out of danger, and he settles down on top. Both fighters need to again get their wind back after another slugfest, and they trade ground strikes until the horn sounds. Talk about a “Round of the Year” contender.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Van
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Van
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Van
Round 3
It is anyone’s guess how much these two flyweights have left in the tank after 10 minutes of frenetic action, but they are eager to get going and tap gloves. Chairez starts the round with several low kicks, and he uses them to keep enough distance along with his jabs. Van pushes through a few with a one-two, and he slams home a low kick only to get met with a leg kick coming right back. Van sneaks a right hand over the top, and Chairez jabs him back to the body with a front kick. Van jabs the body, and he receives a one-two in response. Chairez uses head movement to keep himself safe from the majority of the strikes, but a body shot does get to him. Van jabs low and punches high, and Chairez tries to slip and move but finds himself square in the center of a methodical slugfest. Van goes after two punches and a front kick to the gut, and he chases after his foe. As Chairez looks to escape, he trips on Van’s foot and falls to his seat. Van assumes top control in a hurry, but Chairez does not settle for this position and instead tries to stand. Van answers by dropping to his back in pursuit of a heel hook, and he makes Chairez drop back to the mat as well to defend it. Chairez fights out of the leglock and takes Van’s back while they both stand up. Van shoots in for a double-leg takedown, and he lifts Chairez up and slams him back down with emphasis. Chairez defends by throwing his legs up to go after a triangle choke, and he looks his left leg over the shoulder but cannot get his right leg locked up. Van pushes through it and hammerfists his foe in the face several times, and he keeps Chairez stuck in the corner of the floor and the fence. Van sits comfortably in half guard pounding down, using his free left hand to shut Chairez down until time expires.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Van (29-28 Van)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Van (29-28 Van)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Van (29-28 Van)
The Official Result
Joshua Van def. Edgar Chairez via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Joshua Van, calling him the better fighter skill-for-skill. He notes Van is a solid striker with good aggression and decent grappling, while Cháirez is hittable with a negative striking differential. Angelo acknowledges Van is coming off a KO loss but sees this as a good bounceback spot against a more stationary target. He suggests waiting for weigh-ins if nervous about the short notice, but expects Van to win as a 2-to-1 favorite.
Big Brady initially considered Cháirez as a live dog due to his submission threat and Van's recent KO loss, but after watching Cháirez's fights, he found Cháirez rarely wrestles and relies on opponents shooting in. He believes Van will win if the fight stays on the feet, but he hates the price and is concerned about Van's durability coming back from a knockout. He predicts Van by decision.
Daniel picks Joshua Van, citing his volume and pressure, but warns that Cháirez is dangerous with heavy hands and opportunistic submissions. He thinks Van will out-volume Cháirez but could get caught. He ultimately believes Van gets the win.
The transcript does not discuss this fight.
Van is the cleaner and crisper striker of the two, but there is concern about his recent knockout loss. However, his defensive striking is normally not bad. Expects Van to deal with Cháirez's aggressive style early and run away with the fight in deep water, winning on the scorecards.
The MMA Guru picks Joshua Van by decision. He notes that Cháirez doesn't have huge knockout power and is more of a submission guy, but Van won't get submitted. He expects a standup fight and Van's patient approach to see out the first round and work into the second and third. He also justifies the quick turnaround after a KO by noting Van is a small flyweight who doesn't drain himself making weight.
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Chairez (-355), da Silva (+280)
Round 1
Running back a meeting from September that went awry due to an early stoppage from Chris Tognoni, overturning the fight to a no contest, Chairez (10-5, 1 NC; 0-1, 1 NC UFC) and da Silva (11-5, 1 NC; 0-4, 1 NC UFC) will settle their business in the second go-round. Chairez had snared his foe in a standing guillotine choke that mistakenly was identified at one that rendered da Silva unconscious, so da Silva will need to protect his neck this time around. Both fighters ended up missing weight for what was supposed to be a catchweight contest, as the Brazilian came in a pound heavy while Chairez whiffed by five pounds. The referee for the rematch will be Marc Goddard, and the fighters decide to touch gloves despite their history. Chairez reintroduces himself with a faked high kick, and da Silva sits down on offense to counter. Both men fire off kicks at the same time, and Chairez’ slides up and might have bumped the cup but there is no pause. They aim kicks at one another from a distance, taking turns and loading up on one after the other. Chairez spins with a wheel kick that slides off the shoulder, and he recovers and pushes out a front kick. The Brazilian responds with two kicks to the body, and Chairez drives him back with a thudding one-two. Chairez gives chase, and da Silva takes his momentum and repurposes it to tackle Chairez to the ground. Chairez starts talking to the man on top of him, and da Silva answers by elbowing him in the face repeatedly. Chairez kicks off to get some space, and he wraps up a high guard and sets up a triangle choke.
Chairez switches his leg grip to an omoplata, and then goes back to a triangle choke. “Puro Chicali” fastens his legs tight and uses his arms to pull da Silva’s head down to complete the submission. It only takes seconds for da Silva to realize he is beaten, and he taps out on the hip.
Chairez immediately releases, and both men hug it out and express great respect for one another by bowing. The rivalry is complete with no early stoppage this time, and da Silva is now winless in six walks to the Octagon. In victory, the Mexican fighter's coach wraps a purple belt around Chairez' waist, who maintains his 100% finish rate while landing his seventh career submission.
The Official Result
Edgar Chairez def. Daniel da Silva R1 2:17 via Submission (Triangle Choke)
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tatsuro Taira | 0 | 61 of 78 | 78% | 121 of 148 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 1 | 9:53 |
| Édgar Cháirez | 1 | 25 of 38 | 65% | 26 of 39 | 0 of 0 | --- | 2 | 1 | 0:25 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tatsuro Taira | 0 | 27 of 30 | 90% | 36 of 39 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 2:43 |
| Édgar Cháirez | 1 | 6 of 10 | 60% | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:11 | |
| 2 | Tatsuro Taira | 0 | 17 of 26 | 65% | 57 of 76 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 4:10 |
| Édgar Cháirez | 0 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:14 | |
| 3 | Tatsuro Taira | 0 | 17 of 22 | 77% | 28 of 33 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:00 |
| Édgar Cháirez | 0 | 15 of 21 | 71% | 15 of 21 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 1 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tatsuro Taira | 61 of 78 | 78% | 40 of 54 | 2 of 4 | 19 of 20 | 26 of 36 | 0 of 0 | 35 of 42 |
| Édgar Cháirez | 25 of 38 | 65% | 15 of 23 | 5 of 6 | 5 of 9 | 25 of 38 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tatsuro Taira | 27 of 30 | 90% | 18 of 18 | 0 of 2 | 9 of 10 | 11 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 16 |
| Édgar Cháirez | 6 of 10 | 60% | 2 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 4 | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Tatsuro Taira | 17 of 26 | 65% | 16 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 22 |
| Édgar Cháirez | 4 of 7 | 57% | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Tatsuro Taira | 17 of 22 | 77% | 6 of 11 | 2 of 2 | 9 of 9 | 14 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 4 |
| Édgar Cháirez | 15 of 21 | 71% | 10 of 14 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 2 | 15 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Taira (-950), Chairez (+650)
Round 1
Thanks in part to some late card rejiggering, highly regarded prospect Taira (13-0, 3-0 UFC) moves his way up the billing. Originally planning on meeting Kleydson Rodrigues, the Japanese prodigy now faces late replacement Chairez (10-4, 0-0 UFC) out of Mexico. The match will take place at a pre-planned 130-pound catchweight, and it will be overseen by referee Herb Dean. It begins with a half-hearted reach of a glove touch try from Chairez, and Taira ignores it so he can get offense going in the form of a chopping leg kick. Chairez gives it back, and chants of “Mexico” rain down in support of the debuting Chairez. Chairez comes up short on another attempt, and he is reached by the man from Japan. The action is largely muted other than occasional kicks from both fighters, with Taira working from both legs. Chairez steps in with a jab as Taira crashes towards him, and when Taira backs off, he continues bludgeoning the lead wheel of his opponent. Taira jabs to force Chairez to backpedal, and he gets kicked off his feet by the Mexican. Chairez gets off a body shot, and he tags Taira with a left hand. Taira wobbles to his seat, and he recovers and moves over to tackle Chairez over to gather himself. Chairez grips hold of a guillotine choke, and it is tight until Taira settles down and drives Chairez back to the corner between the floor and the wall. This allows Taira to threaten with a Von Preux choke, as he keeps Chairez stuck in a bad position. Chairez recognizes the danger, and he releases the grip. Taira slowly and methodically works to pass guard, and Chairez is warned for interlocking his toes in the cage to stifle the pass. Dean slaps and pulls Chairez’ toes out of the links, and he keeps warning Chairez for doing it repeatedly. This foul gets called a few times, but as he is focused on tugging on the links with his big toe, Taira sits on top of him and isolates his left arm to set up a crucifix. Taira elbows Chairez several times, and he is admonished for the angle he uses of the 12-to-6 variety. Taira looks up confusedly at Dean, and he changes his angle of attack until the close round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Taira
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Taira
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Chairez
Round 2
The second round begins with the two combatants getting off kicks on one another. Taira changes levels and shoots in for a takedown, and Chairez jumps guard to grab hold of a guillotine choke. The Japanese fighter easily slides his neck out of the choke, where he moves right to half guard and even takes mount briefly before getting bucked back to guard. Chairez shifts his hips, and Taira times it perfectly to move right into mount. Taira smothers his foe when he willingly moves back to half guard, doing so to pin Chairez down. Taira elbows Chairez on the side of the head with light but effective blows, and he hooks his legs together in an effort to trap Chairez’ right arm. Taira continues working with elbows before transitioning to a straight armlock from the other side of the body. Taira, who steps back into mount, postures up to rain down punches and elbows. With 80 seconds to spare, he hammers Chairez with strikes until Chairez turns and almost gives up his back. Taira slashes down with elbows, hurting his opponent, and he calmly lands strikes from a dominant position. Taira considers an arm-triangle choke, and Chairez sits up and wraps his arms around Taira’s waist to hang on. Taira rolls to his back to lock down a triangle choke, and he elbows Chairez on the dome and tightens it up. Pulling the head down to cut off the blood flow to the brain and hopefully deprive his man of oxygen as well, Taira tries with all his might but cannot get the tap before the bell rings.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Taira
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Taira
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Taira
Round 3
The last frame kicks off with kicks. Taira wades his way into a striking exchange, and he gets backed off with a left hand. Taira checks a low kick and throws it back. A right hand from the Japanese fighter sneaks over the guard, and Chairez slings a few punches back his direction much to the delight of the crowd. The undefeated fighter pecks at Chairez with leg kicks, and he ducks a looping left hook in the nick of time. Chairez reaches out with a one-two and a subsequent jab, and he shrugs off a body kick. Taira shoots in for a double-leg takedown, and he plants Chairez on his back without Chairez hunting for a guillotine this time. Taira uses shoulder pressure while in half guard to keep Chairez flat on his back, and he elbows his foe on the ear. Taira grinds his elbow on the forehead and forearm on the throat, as he settles for control over offense as the clock keeps ticking. Fans grow restless as Taira clings to top position, even when he lands the occasional elbow. Taira threatens with a guillotine when Chairez sits up, and Chairez is able to fight it off and get back to his feet. Taira goes after a double, and Chairez pulls guard for a guillotine. Chairez locks his feet together and squeezes with every bit of energy he has left, and he rolls over to secure the mounted guillotine choke. Taira toughs it out, with no plan of tapping out no matter how bad it gets, and time expires before the submission puts him out. The scorecards could be all over the map for this one, depending on the potential assessment of a 10-8 in Round 2 and how the first stanza panned out.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Taira (30-27 Taira)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Chairez (29-28 Taira)
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Taira (29-28 Taira)
The Official Result
Tatsuro Taira def. Edgar Chairez via Unanimous Decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)
Angelo gives a slight lean to Taira at 50.1%, but he actually bet on Cháirez at +600. He acknowledges Cháirez's solid striking, takedowns, and BJJ, but worries about short notice. He sees Taira's path to victory through grappling and control, but thinks Cháirez is just as dangerous on the ground. The lean is extremely slight, and he encourages viewers to watch tape on Cháirez.
Big Brady picks Tatsuro Taira to win by submission in the second round. He notes that Taira is a well-rounded fighter with underrated striking and slick grappling, especially back takes and submissions. He believes Cháirez will slow down as the fight goes on, leading to a finish in the second or third round. He mentions that Cháirez has been submitted before by Jesus Aguilar, whom Taira beat in the first round.
Cody is confident Taira wins but the price is unplayable. He thinks Taira will likely finish Cháirez in the first or second round via submission. He notes Taira's back-taking and submission skills are elite. He considers the under 1.5 rounds at -145 but isn't in love with it because Taira may be patient.
Connor picks Taira because he is a great problem solver who starts fights passively but uses opponent aggression to set up takedowns and submissions. Cháirez is a wild, aggressive fighter who will likely come forward, and Taira excels at countering that aggression. Taira's ability to blast opponents off their feet when pressured makes him a clear winner.
Daniel Levi picks Taira, calling him one of the best Japanese prospects he has ever seen. He praises Taira's ground game, composure, and ability to chain striking to takedowns. Levi respects Cháirez's toughness and his controversial win on Fury FC, but believes Taira's ceiling is much higher and that he is headed straight for the top 15. He notes that the minus-1100 price is prohibitive for betting but still picks Taira to win.
James does not make a clear pick on the winner. He disagrees with Taira being a -1000 favorite, capping him around -500 to -600, but does not see enough value on Cháirez at plus money. He discusses props: he likes Taira by decision at +500 more than the submission prop at -200 to -250, and also considers the KO prop at +700. He ultimately passes on betting the fight due to lack of a strong read.
Taira is a skilled Japanese prospect with a strong submission game, especially the rear-naked choke. Cháirez is aggressive and flashy but will likely be taken down and submitted. The fight should be closer than the odds suggest, but Taira will eventually secure a submission victory.
Paul agrees Taira wins easily. He notes Cháirez is a short-notice replacement with no clear path to victory. He thinks Taira's grappling is far superior. He says the real question is how quickly Taira finishes, possibly in the first or second round.
The MMA Guru picks Tatsuro Taira, citing his patient top grappling and submission threat. He notes that Cháirez was taken down by Clayton Carpenter on the contender series, and believes Taira's methodical style will lead to a submission. He acknowledges Cháirez's momentum but sees Taira as a different level of grappler.
Zane picks Taira because he is a great problem solver who can take whatever Cháirez gives him and turn it into an advantage. Cháirez is overly aggressive and will likely come forward, which plays into Taira's takedown and positional grappling game. Taira is a huge favorite and should be able to submit Cháirez if he gets taken down.
Felipe Bunes - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Édgar Cháirez | 0 | 66 of 136 | 48% | 69 of 139 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Felipe Bunes | 0 | 54 of 132 | 40% | 113 of 202 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 3:50 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Édgar Cháirez | 0 | 4 of 9 | 44% | 6 of 11 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Felipe Bunes | 0 | 5 of 13 | 38% | 64 of 81 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 3:26 | |
| 2 | Édgar Cháirez | 0 | 21 of 52 | 40% | 21 of 52 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Felipe Bunes | 0 | 20 of 53 | 37% | 20 of 53 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Édgar Cháirez | 0 | 41 of 75 | 54% | 42 of 76 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Felipe Bunes | 0 | 29 of 66 | 43% | 29 of 68 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Édgar Cháirez | 66 of 136 | 48% | 41 of 104 | 18 of 23 | 7 of 9 | 63 of 133 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 |
| Felipe Bunes | 54 of 132 | 40% | 44 of 115 | 5 of 10 | 5 of 7 | 52 of 129 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Édgar Cháirez | 4 of 9 | 44% | 1 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Felipe Bunes | 5 of 13 | 38% | 3 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 10 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Édgar Cháirez | 21 of 52 | 40% | 14 of 42 | 6 of 7 | 1 of 3 | 20 of 51 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Felipe Bunes | 20 of 53 | 37% | 15 of 46 | 2 of 4 | 3 of 3 | 20 of 53 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Édgar Cháirez | 41 of 75 | 54% | 26 of 56 | 11 of 15 | 4 of 4 | 40 of 74 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Felipe Bunes | 29 of 66 | 43% | 26 of 58 | 2 of 5 | 1 of 3 | 29 of 66 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Chairez (-300); Bunes (+250)
Round 1
Two flyweights who have struggled as of late will collide with hopes of gaining just a wisp of momentum in their speedy weight class. Chairez (12-6, 1 NC; 2-2, 1 NC UFC) has the crowd on his side in a big way, while Bunes (14-8, 1-2 UFC) is showered in boos and looks to spoil their mood. Referee Marc Goddard is on top of things for as long as the match lasts, bearing witness to a glove touch that opens the fight up.
Bunes stands tall to open the fight, walking down the local favorite with his right hand firing. Chairez backs him off with his jab, but not for long as Bunes pushes the pace on him. Chairez drills the lead leg with a kick, and Bunes frowns, swings hard and shoots in on the hips for a takedown. Chairez defends the initial offering, leaning his head against the cage to keep himself on his feet. Bunes holds on from behind before speedily climbing onto the back to take it standing, and he locks down a body triangle. Bunes starts slugging away with his free left hand while Chairez holds the other to block a choke setup. Bunes elbows Chairez in the side and shoulder, and he is warned for leaning his arm on top of the cage.
Chairez hand-fights to protect his neck, and Bunes nearly snatches it up and is again fussed at for resting his arm on the cage. Fans in the building erupt with frustration as Bunes rests on the top of the cage, and the Brazilian hacks down with multiple unorthodox elbows to the top of the shoulder. Chairez looks confused that strikes are raining down from those angles and actually affecting him, but he is biding his time and hanging on without getting strangled. Bunes picks his elbows carefully so that he does not strike the mohawk line on the top of the head, and he lets loose with clubbing right hands before wrapping his arm around Chairez’ face. Chairez jumps to the ground to slap Bunes down on his back, and the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Bunes
Christian Stein scores the round: 10-9 Bunes
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Bunes
Round 2
The fighters touch gloves to get going in this round, where Chairez fires off a chopping kick and slips away from a looping left hook. Bunes scores his own low kick, and he aims a stomp kick to the knee before ripping his shin to the body with his free leg. Chairez spins with a back fist that misses the mark, and he walks Bunes down and slugs him in the chin. Bunes fires back, doing enough damage to force Chairez to stop pressuring him for a moment. Bunes reaches out with a right hand, parrying a few jab offerings from his opponent as both men look for options. Chairez bangs a left hand off the guard and follows a right straight to the solar plexus. He then chains a few punches together, only for Bunes to meet him in the pocket with a trio of fists that knock him back.
Chairez resets and smacks Bunes with a spinning back fist, and Bunes has nothing to answer back with and keeps his guard up to defend another that Chairez fakes. Chairez digs a front kick to the torso and hand-fights to protect his mug, and he steps back to avoid a back fist aimed at his face. Chairez dips in an uppercut and a left hook, leading Bunes to strike him back heavily. Bunes headhunts, and Chairez’s head movement and elusiveness are keeping him from taking much damage this round. Bunes goes high with a kick, and Chairez tries to do the same as both men do not connect flush. Bunes gets rocked with a jab and gathers his thoughts to swing back, but he slips. Chairez walks directly into a turning back kick to the pectoral, and Bunes tosses out an inside thigh kick that goes high and cracks into the cup. Goddard calls time as Chairez winces and rubs his eye, which has some damage on it as well as blood leaks into his eye. Chairez bounces up and down and is ready to go in 45 seconds, and he wants to throw down and does just that. Chairez punches his way into a spin, and he knocks Bunes back a bit as the horn ends the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Chairez
Christian Stein scores the round: 10-9 Chairez
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Chairez
Round 3
The last round opens with jabs from both sides, and Chairez scores with his uppercut as Bunes asks for more. Chants for Chairez echo through the arena, but they are quickly silenced when Bunes shoots for and completes a takedown. Chairez kicks off and gets back up, and he intercepts Bunes with a spinning elbow. Bunes backpedals, and Chairez pours it on with a few right hands and a crisp uppercut. Bunes again waves him on, so Chairez does just that by blasting him with body shots. Bunes grits his teeth but is taking damage and not offering much back, and Chairez puts a low kick on him and a few punches to keep him guessing. Chairez rips a right hand upstairs, and Bunes has to back off and take a quick count of his teeth. Bunes jabs the body with a kick and motions that it’s time to brawl, but Chairez does not engage recklessly.
Chairez picks his shots, spinning with a back kick to the body. Bunes sticks him with a jab and backs him off, further bloodying up an already damaged Chairez. Chairez offers up his own power jabs, switching stances and waving his hands around to fluster the Brazilian. Chairez kicks to both legs and swats out a left hand twice, and Bunes slaps his chest to demand he bring it on. Chairez stays in kickboxing range, reaching out with his long left hand and barely blocking a high kick in time. Chairez drills his man in the eye socket with a left hand, and Bunes backpedals in a hurry to protect himself while claiming it was a poke, as Goddard calls for them to keep fighting. Chairez walks Bunes down and digs body shots to open up strike upstairs, and he pushes out a front kick to the sternum. Chairez spins with a wheel kick that slams into Bunes’ head, further knocking him around with two swarming punches, a jump knee and a charge that is stopped before he lands further as time is up. It could go either way, likely depending on how the second round was scored.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Chairez (29-28 Chairez)
Christian Stein scores the round: 10-9 Bunes (29-28 Bunes)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Chairez (29-28 Chairez)
The Official Result
Edgar Chairez def. Felipe Bunes via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Angelo picks Édgar Cháirez, describing him as a well-rounded fighter with good striking, takedowns, and BJJ. He notes Cháirez's toughness and quality losses to top fighters. He believes Cháirez is too long and tricky for Felipe Bunes, and expects him to win as long as he doesn't get caught in a submission.
Big Brady is high on Édgar Cháirez, praising his toughness, dangerous jiu-jitsu, and improved boxing. He notes Felipe Bunes has poor cardio (especially in elevation) and is dangerous early but likely to gas. Brady predicts Cháirez will hurt Bunes on the feet, Bunes will shoot a sloppy takedown, and Cháirez will snatch a submission, possibly a first-round club and sub.
Cody agrees with Paul, highlighting Cháirez's pace, durability, and altitude preparation. He sees Bunes as a prime candidate to fade due to his explosive but unsustainable style. He expects Cháirez to win as the fight progresses.
Connor also picks Cháirez but notes that Bunes is a creative striker who can find his timing and land shots. He points out that Bunes's wrestling is a weakness, but Cháirez doesn't wrestle much. However, Connor believes Cháirez's toughness and willingness to push the pace will earn him the win, though it could be a war.
Daniel does not discuss this fight in the transcript.
The host considers this a dog-or-pass fight. Cháirez is a heavy favorite at -347, but the odds feel too wide. He notes that Cháirez has power but slows down, while Bunes has volume but is older and not a finisher. The host would have to bet Bunes if betting, but expects him to lose.
James views Cháirez as the more well-rounded fighter with better striking, cardio, and durability. He believes Bunes' reckless style will lead to fatigue, allowing Cháirez to finish him. James predicts Cháirez wins inside the distance.
The host picks Édgar Cháirez inside the distance, expecting a second or third round finish. He notes Cháirez's Muay Thai and jiu-jitsu, and believes his cardio will outlast Bunes, who fades after the first round. He likes the 'fight doesn't go to decision' prop at -200 rather than the chalky line on Cháirez.
Paul likes Cháirez's durability, training at altitude, and well-rounded game. He notes Bunes fades after the first round and has poor cardio. He expects Cháirez to take over in rounds 2 and 3 and is comfortable parlaying him.
The MMA Guru picks Édgar Cháirez, noting that he looked much better against Joshua Van than Felipe Bunes did. He describes Cháirez as a tricky fighter who is big for flyweight and has finishing potential, predicting a finish in the first two rounds. He also cites the Mexico City altitude advantage for Cháirez.
Zane picks Cháirez because he is the more consistent round-to-round danger and has an instinctive sense of where he stands in the fight. He notes that Bunes often starts slow and needs time to process, while Cháirez will increase aggression and take the fight to him. Zane also mentions that Cháirez is rangier and fights long, which could trouble Bunes.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rafael Estevam | 0 | 33 of 70 | 47% | 128 of 204 | 5 of 9 | 55% | 0 | 0 | 10:42 |
| Felipe Bunes | 0 | 26 of 56 | 46% | 38 of 75 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 2 | 0 | 0:03 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rafael Estevam | 0 | 8 of 19 | 42% | 12 of 26 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 2:48 |
| Felipe Bunes | 0 | 7 of 14 | 50% | 8 of 16 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:03 | |
| 2 | Rafael Estevam | 0 | 17 of 35 | 48% | 47 of 83 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 4:01 |
| Felipe Bunes | 0 | 9 of 17 | 52% | 13 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Rafael Estevam | 0 | 8 of 16 | 50% | 69 of 95 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:53 |
| Felipe Bunes | 0 | 10 of 25 | 40% | 17 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rafael Estevam | 33 of 70 | 47% | 22 of 50 | 5 of 14 | 6 of 6 | 25 of 57 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 12 |
| Felipe Bunes | 26 of 56 | 46% | 15 of 39 | 5 of 11 | 6 of 6 | 25 of 54 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rafael Estevam | 8 of 19 | 42% | 1 of 9 | 2 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 7 of 17 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 1 |
| Felipe Bunes | 7 of 14 | 50% | 1 of 6 | 2 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 7 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Rafael Estevam | 17 of 35 | 48% | 13 of 25 | 3 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 24 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 11 |
| Felipe Bunes | 9 of 17 | 52% | 6 of 13 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 8 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Rafael Estevam | 8 of 16 | 50% | 8 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Felipe Bunes | 10 of 25 | 40% | 8 of 20 | 1 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 24 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Felipe Bunes | 0 | 8 of 14 | 57% | 8 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:48 |
| Jose Johnson | 0 | 2 of 7 | 28% | 5 of 10 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 2 | 0 | 0:11 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Felipe Bunes | 0 | 8 of 14 | 57% | 8 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:48 |
| Jose Johnson | 0 | 2 of 7 | 28% | 5 of 10 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 2 | 0 | 0:11 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Felipe Bunes | 8 of 14 | 57% | 3 of 8 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 11 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 1 |
| Jose Johnson | 2 of 7 | 28% | 2 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Felipe Bunes | 8 of 14 | 57% | 3 of 8 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 11 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 1 |
| Jose Johnson | 2 of 7 | 28% | 2 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Felipe Bunes, emphasizing Jose Johnson's inability to defend takedowns. He notes that Bunes is a BJJ black belt with slick submissions and will likely get takedowns and control the fight. He mentions he bet on Bunes at +175 and the odds have since tightened. He expects Bunes to win via takedowns and submission threat.
Big Brady highlights Johnson's unreal power for a flyweight and his size (6'0"). He notes that opponents have success taking Johnson down, but Bunes may not have the cardio to wrestle for 15 minutes. If Bunes doesn't submit Johnson early, he will slow down, and Johnson's power and submission game carry late. Brady predicts Johnson wins by second-round knockout, though he mentions submission is also possible.
Cody picks Johnson but recommends live betting after the first round, expecting Bunes to gas. He notes Johnson's comfort off his back and Bunes's age and cardio issues. He believes Johnson will land meaningful shots in later rounds.
Daniel thinks Johnson's takedown defense and getup game are weak, and Bunes can have takedown success and possibly get a submission. He notes Johnson is tall for flyweight and has a range kickboxing game, but Bunes can surprise. He picks Bunes for the upset.
Johnson's length and reach (6' tall, 71-inch reach) will allow him to keep Bunes at distance, get into his striking groove, and pick him apart to win on the scorecards.
Paul agrees with Cody, noting Johnson's takedown defense issues but Bunes's tendency to fade. He prefers to watch the live market rather than bet pre-fight. He sees Johnson's guard as crafty but not enough to scare Bunes.
The Guru picks Johnson, citing his height (6 feet) and reach (71.2 inches) at flyweight as a difficult puzzle. He notes Johnson's good scrambles and win over Jack Cartwright on the contender series. He dismisses Bunes as a poor prospect with losses and age (35). He acknowledges Johnson's losses to top competition but thinks he's talented enough to win.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joshua Van | 1 | 83 of 141 | 58% | 154 of 222 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:14 |
| Felipe Bunes | 0 | 50 of 91 | 54% | 57 of 101 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 2:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joshua Van | 0 | 14 of 41 | 34% | 23 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:06 |
| Felipe Bunes | 0 | 29 of 54 | 53% | 29 of 54 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:42 | |
| 2 | Joshua Van | 1 | 69 of 100 | 69% | 131 of 171 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:08 |
| Felipe Bunes | 0 | 21 of 37 | 56% | 28 of 47 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 1:20 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joshua Van | 83 of 141 | 58% | 63 of 116 | 15 of 19 | 5 of 6 | 61 of 115 | 9 of 11 | 13 of 15 |
| Felipe Bunes | 50 of 91 | 54% | 29 of 64 | 11 of 16 | 10 of 11 | 49 of 90 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joshua Van | 14 of 41 | 34% | 7 of 30 | 2 of 5 | 5 of 6 | 14 of 41 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Felipe Bunes | 29 of 54 | 53% | 14 of 35 | 5 of 8 | 10 of 11 | 29 of 54 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Joshua Van | 69 of 100 | 69% | 56 of 86 | 13 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 47 of 74 | 9 of 11 | 13 of 15 |
| Felipe Bunes | 21 of 37 | 56% | 15 of 29 | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 20 of 36 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Van (-218), Bunes (+180)
Round 1
It’s showtime! The UFC is back, and the Apex is its home for its first card of the year. With no further introductions necessary, we get right into the action. Flyweights take center stage first as the surging Van (9-1, 2-0 UFC) welcomes the well-traveled Brazilian Bunes (13-6, 0-0 UFC) to the promotion. The former has won seven straight, while the latter claimed the LFA flyweight strap by punching out Yuma Horiuchi at the beginning of January. The referee for the first UFC bout of 2024 will be Mark Smith, and he clocks in the fight as the two men touch gloves. Van takes the middle of the cage first and ignores an inside leg kick as he tries to find his range. Bunes is a bit more jittery out of the gate, pawing out jabs and low kicks. Van advances and pushes out a front kick, only to be met by a slapping low kick on the outside. Bunes opens up with an overhand right, and Van retaliates and makes Bunes think twice about standing in the pocket and trading. Bunes lines up a right hand and moves to the side, and the two toss front kicks at the other. The Brazilian has a high kick bounce off the raised guard of his foe, and he backs off as Van lays into him with two heavy right hands. Bunes shakes it off and reaches out with a left that misses and a right that does not. Van blitzes, and part of a left hook finds its mark before Bunes is able to escape laterally. Bunes chambers and fires a gnarly right hand, and Van takes it flush and does not bat an eye. Both fighters let their hands go in a brief exchange, landing a few shots, and Bunes mixes things up with a step-in knee. Van throws back with a fury, and he finds himself suddenly defending a single-leg takedown from “Felipinho.” Bunes pushes Van back to the fence when he cannot secure the entry, and Van answers by splitting the uprights with a knee. Bunes drops to his knees in pain, and Smith calls the foul for the groin shot. Bunes stays down for over a minute as he tries to cough it out and recover, and after a minute and 45 seconds, he asks Smith to restart the fight on the feet instead of in the takedown position. The Brazilian picks up where he left off with a number of low kicks on the inside and out, and he weaves to the side as Van lobs bombs at him. Bunes stays on his bike, but he peppers the body with front kicks and those to the lead leg, and Van tanks them all while aiming heavy strikes over the top. Bunes pursues another single-leg takedown, and he slings Van to the canvas and lands in side control with 15 seconds left in the round. Bunes climbs into mount, and Van throws him over the top and shucks off an omoplata setup before the round comes to a close.
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Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Bunes
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Bunes
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Bunes
Round 2
The flyweights get right after it when they resume the action, and Van puts his foot on the gas. The Myanmar-born Van comes out swinging, and he catches Bunes with a few shots. As Van gets somewhat reckless, Bunes changes levels in pursuit of a takedown, and he is stuffed before it goes anywhere and takes a number of elbows to the side of the dome. Bunes shoves Van back to the fencing and gets a body lock while stomping on Van’s toes, but Van decides he is sick of it and spins his man around. Van lays into Bunes with knees and body shots, and Bunes is taking some damage and shoots for a takedown. Van turns him around and wall-walks to get back upright. When he gets some space, Van looses a number of body shots to back the Brazilian to the fence, and he chases an escaping Bunes from one side of the cage to the other to continue throwing. Van elects to go for his own takedown, and he threatens with an unexpected leglock before bailing on it to smash Bunes in the face with a trio of elbows. Van sits up, not totally in Bunes’ guard, and he lands powerful punches from above. Van stands back and allows Bunes to get back up, so that they can trade. Van dings his man a few times, and when Bunes fires back, Van keeps him backed off and lands harder. Van digs several more body shots, and Bunes is wearing it but still in the fight as he spins with an inaccurate wheel kick. “Felipinho” rushes out for a desperate takedown, and Van pushes him away and slugs him in the face. Bunes does not stop swinging either, but his punches are far slower.
“The Fearless” fearlessly lasts Bunes with knees to the body and thunderous punches, until Bunes crumbles to the mat. Van does not take his foot off the accelerator, raining down punches and elbows furiously. As Van continues to clobber the former LFA champ with a flurry of ferocious fists, Smith has no choice but to step in to save Bunes from his own toughness.
This is a big win for Van, who earns his first stoppage in the Octagon and stamps himself as yet another young up-and-comer to watch in the talent-rich flyweight division.
The Official Result
Joshua Van def. Felipe Bunes R2 4:31 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo picks Joshua Van, citing his faster and more accurate striking, good scramble skills, and youth at 22. He notes that Van's takedown defense is just okay but believes his striking and scrambling will keep him out of trouble on the ground. He acknowledges Felipe Bunes' BJJ threat but thinks Van can avoid submissions. He placed a 1.5 unit bet on Van at -225 but won't parlay him due to being unproven and a lackluster last performance.
Big Brady is a big fan of Joshua Van, noting his rapid improvements and high volume striking. He believes Van's durability and activity will overwhelm Bunes, who may struggle to out-strike him. Brady sees Bunes' path to victory as either a knockout or grappling, but doubts his ability to finish Van. He predicts Van wins by decision.
Cody picks Van, citing his youth, volume striking, and improvement in grappling. He notes that Van has shown the ability to adjust between rounds and has a huge gas tank. He believes Van's striking will be too much for Bunes, who is older and may not be able to take him down and hold him down.
Daniel Vreeland picks Joshua Van to continue his run, citing his high pace and boxing skills. He acknowledges Bunes's opportunistic finishing ability and danger on the ground, but thinks if the fight goes the distance, Van's striking output will be too much. Vreeland warns that Bunes is live for a finish, but Van's youth and athleticism should prevail.
James does not discuss this fight in the transcript.
Joshua Van is a talented 22-year-old striker with fluid movement and improving takedown defense. He showed resilience in his last fight against Kevin Borjas, coming back from an early knockdown to win a decision. Felipe Bunes is a 34-year-old debutant who relies on striking but has been knocked out before. Van's slicker striking and defensive grappling should allow him to outpoint Bunes over three rounds. I expect Van to win by decision, as Bunes may struggle to land anything significant.
Paul picks Van, noting his impressive volume and ability to fight at a high pace. He mentions that Van's takedown defense and get-up game have improved, and that Bunes' best chance is on the ground, but Van is steadily improving. He believes Van will expose Bunes as just serviceable.
The MMA Guru picks Joshua Van, citing his superior technique, body work, and composure. He notes that Felipe Bunes has power but is reckless and was wobbled in his last fight. He predicts Van will use his jab, body shots, and then find the finish, likely by TKO in the late second or third round.
Expert Picks (11)
Angelo picks Édgar Cháirez, describing him as a well-rounded fighter with good striking, takedowns, and BJJ. He notes Cháirez's toughness and quality losses to top fighters. He believes Cháirez is too long and tricky for Felipe Bunes, and expects him to win as long as he doesn't get caught in a submission.
Big Brady is high on Édgar Cháirez, praising his toughness, dangerous jiu-jitsu, and improved boxing. He notes Felipe Bunes has poor cardio (especially in elevation) and is dangerous early but likely to gas. Brady predicts Cháirez will hurt Bunes on the feet, Bunes will shoot a sloppy takedown, and Cháirez will snatch a submission, possibly a first-round club and sub.
Cody agrees with Paul, highlighting Cháirez's pace, durability, and altitude preparation. He sees Bunes as a prime candidate to fade due to his explosive but unsustainable style. He expects Cháirez to win as the fight progresses.
Connor also picks Cháirez but notes that Bunes is a creative striker who can find his timing and land shots. He points out that Bunes's wrestling is a weakness, but Cháirez doesn't wrestle much. However, Connor believes Cháirez's toughness and willingness to push the pace will earn him the win, though it could be a war.
Daniel does not discuss this fight in the transcript.
The host considers this a dog-or-pass fight. Cháirez is a heavy favorite at -347, but the odds feel too wide. He notes that Cháirez has power but slows down, while Bunes has volume but is older and not a finisher. The host would have to bet Bunes if betting, but expects him to lose.
James views Cháirez as the more well-rounded fighter with better striking, cardio, and durability. He believes Bunes' reckless style will lead to fatigue, allowing Cháirez to finish him. James predicts Cháirez wins inside the distance.
The host picks Édgar Cháirez inside the distance, expecting a second or third round finish. He notes Cháirez's Muay Thai and jiu-jitsu, and believes his cardio will outlast Bunes, who fades after the first round. He likes the 'fight doesn't go to decision' prop at -200 rather than the chalky line on Cháirez.
Paul likes Cháirez's durability, training at altitude, and well-rounded game. He notes Bunes fades after the first round and has poor cardio. He expects Cháirez to take over in rounds 2 and 3 and is comfortable parlaying him.
The MMA Guru picks Édgar Cháirez, noting that he looked much better against Joshua Van than Felipe Bunes did. He describes Cháirez as a tricky fighter who is big for flyweight and has finishing potential, predicting a finish in the first two rounds. He also cites the Mexico City altitude advantage for Cháirez.
Zane picks Cháirez because he is the more consistent round-to-round danger and has an instinctive sense of where he stands in the fight. He notes that Bunes often starts slow and needs time to process, while Cháirez will increase aggression and take the fight to him. Zane also mentions that Cháirez is rangier and fights long, which could trouble Bunes.
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