Saturday night’s event at Meta Apex concluded with an unusual finish.
In the headlining bout, Mario Bautista secured a submission victory over Vinicius Oliveira, reinforcing his status as a leading contender in the 135-pound division.
This wasn’t the only bantamweight fight on the card to end by submission.
Another fighter competing in Bautista’s weight class also achieved a submission win just before the final bell, earning a $100,000 Performance of the Night bonus.
Merab Dvalishvili Reveals Muin Gafurov Submitted After Hearing the Bell at UFC Vegas 113
Muin Gafurov was among four fighters who missed weight at UFC Vegas 113, resulting in him forfeiting 25% of his purse to his opponent to continue the fight at catchweight.
Jakub Vikracs, who earned a split decision win over Patchy Mix in his UFC debut last year, fought an even closer bout this time around.
The fight ended dramatically, as Gafurov appeared to secure a guillotine choke just before the final bell.
After reviewing footage, it was clear that the Tajik fighter tapped out, having even given a thumbs-up to the referee.
While Vikracs was already ahead on points, winning via submission would have guaranteed him an additional $25,000 completion bonus.
In an Instagram Stories video, Merab Dvalishvili, who was part of Gafurov’s corner team, explained the reason behind the tap.
“I was cornering Muin Gafurov at UFC Meta Apex and asked him why he tapped. He said first that he was fine, but then admitted he tapped once he heard the bell. It’s really disappointing. I have no complaints—he’s a great fighter—but that’s what my brother Muin told me. He never gets choked,” Dvalishvili shared.
Jakub Vikrac’s Submission Skills, Highlighted by Commentators, Paid Off Handsomely
Even before the dramatic ending, Jakub Vikrac was set for another solid win on the judges’ scorecards at UFC Vegas 113.
However, choosing to go for a guillotine submission in the final moments not only secured the win but also earned him a $100,000 bonus.
During the fight, commentators noted Vikracs’ tendency to pursue submissions, which hadn’t worked in his UFC debut.
Fans of Dustin Poirier would appreciate seeing another fighter stick to his strengths and see persistence in submission attempts pay off decisively.
Fan Take:
This event underscores how fighters who remain committed to their game plans—and capitalize on crucial moments—can turn close decisions into emphatic victories with big bonuses. For fight fans, it highlights the drama and unpredictability of MMA, where a single move in the final seconds can redefine careers and excite audiences worldwide.
