Mario Bautista Edges Vinicius Oliveira via Unanimous Decision at UFC Vegas 113 Apex

The UFC Apex in Las Vegas delivered another gritty main event on February 7, 2026, as Mario Bautista retained his spot in the bantamweight top 10 with a hard-earned unanimous decision victory (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) over the dangerous Vinicius Oliveira in a three-round war that showcased both fighters’ resilience. Bautista’s superior wrestling, control time, and late-round volume overcame Oliveira’s early striking threats and submission attempts, in a Fight Night main event that lived up to its billing as a potential barnburner. Streamed live on Paramount+ and ESPN+, the bout sparked X debates, with one popular post stating, “Bautista grinds it out—Oliveira’s a problem but Mario’s too smart! #UFCVegas113.” An intimate Apex crowd of around 1,000 (plus broadcast viewers) created a focused, high-intensity vibe amid the usual Vegas fight-week energy.

Fight Overview

Date: February 7, 2026 Venue: UFC Apex, Las Vegas, Nevada Start Time: Main card 7:00 PM ET / 4:00 PM PT (main event ~9:00 PM ET) Stakes: Bantamweight contender bout—winner likely jumps into top-5 discussions, positioning for a title eliminator in the stacked 135-pound division. Odds: Bautista favored at -225, Oliveira at +185, reflecting Mario’s experience and grappling edge against Vinicius’ finishing threat. X Buzz Quote: “Bautista vs Oliveira is sneaky good—don’t sleep on this main event! #UFCVegas113” — trending among MMA fans pre-fight. Crowd Size and Atmosphere: ~1,000 in-person at the Apex (plus massive streaming audience), with focused energy typical of Fight Night mains. Poll Lean: Pre-fight X polls leaned 60-40 for Bautista, crediting his wrestling and durability, though Oliveira’s KO power drew upset picks.

Mario Bautista Age: 32 Origin: Tucson, Arizona, USA Record: 15-2 (5 KOs/TKOs, 5 Subs) Stance: Orthodox Height/Reach: 5’9″ / 69″ Key Stats: Strong wrestling base (2.8 takedowns/15 min at 45% accuracy); high volume striking with good cardio. Recent Form: Four-fight win streak including decisions over ranked foes; established as a consistent top-15 threat. Training/X Clips: Camp videos on X emphasized chain wrestling and ground-and-pound: “Ready to climb—135 is mine! #Bautista.” Notable Trait: Well-rounded grappler-striker with excellent fight IQ and ability to impose control when needed. Quote/Tweet: “Tough fight—Vinicius is dangerous, but I stuck to the game plan. Top 5 next.”

Vinicius Oliveira Age: 29 Origin: Natal, Brazil Record: 21-3 (10 KOs/TKOs, 8 Subs) Stance: Orthodox Height/Reach: 5’8″ / 70″ Key Stats: Explosive finisher (86% finish rate); dangerous submissions and heavy hands. Recent Form: Impressive UFC debut streak with quick finishes; stepping up in competition against a ranked veteran. Training/X Clips: Aggressive pad and grappling sessions: “Come ready to bang—gold in sight! #Vini.” Notable Trait: High-octane finisher with knockout power and slick BJJ; thrives in scrambles. Quote/Tweet: “Respect to Mario—he was smarter tonight. I’ll be back hungrier.”

The Fight: Round-by-Round Breakdown

Round 1: Oliveira came out firing, landing sharp combinations and rocking Bautista early with a right hand. Mario recovered, secured a takedown late, and controlled the final minute on top. CompuBox: Oliveira 24/58 sig. strikes, Bautista 18/45. Scoring: 10-9 Oliveira.

Round 2: Bautista turned the tide—used wrestling to chain takedowns, spent significant time in top position landing ground-and-pound. Oliveira threatened a sub from bottom but couldn’t escape. CompuBox: Bautista 32/70 sig. strikes (mostly control), Oliveira 15/40. Scoring: 10-9 Bautista.

Round 3: Bautista dominated early with another takedown and top control; Oliveira scrambled late and landed some standing shots, but Mario’s volume and control sealed it. CompuBox: Bautista 28/65 sig. strikes, Oliveira 20/55. Scoring: 10-9 Bautista. Overall CompuBox: Bautista 78/180 (43%), Oliveira 59/153 (39%).

Key Moments and Impact

• Bautista’s Wrestling Control: Late-round takedowns and top pressure swung the fight, neutralizing Oliveira’s power.
• Oliveira’s Early Striking: Big shots nearly finished Bautista in Round 1, proving Vinicius’ danger at any moment.
• Fan/Media Reaction: X praised Bautista’s “veteran masterclass” while noting Oliveira’s upside; media called it a “grinder” that rewarded smart MMA.
• No Finish: Tough, competitive fight with both showing wear but no major damage or stoppage.

Post-Fight Analysis and Implications

Bautista: “I’m knocking on the door—title shot next!” eyeing ranked matchups or a contender bout. Performance bonus likely for the win. Oliveira: “Close one—I’ll learn and come back.” Bantamweight division stays deep, with Bautista climbing and Oliveira remaining a threat.

Event Context and Las Vegas Atmosphere

Prelims featured exciting prospects; co-main was a women’s flyweight scrap that stole some spotlight. Paramount+/ESPN+ streams drew strong Fight Night numbers in a busy early-2026 schedule.

What’s Next?

For Bautista: Likely vs. top-5 bantamweight (e.g., Cory Sandhagen rematch or emerging contender). For Oliveira: Rebound vs. ranked 135-pounder to stay in title picture.

On February 7, 2026, Mario Bautista’s wrestling and composure prevailed over Vinicius Oliveira’s firepower, securing a unanimous decision in the UFC Vegas 113 main event. A classic display of veteran savvy vs. young hunger kept the bantamweight division intriguing and competitive.