Santiago Luna
Mexico
Suffers first pro defeat
Luna lost to Bryce Mitchell via submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) at 4:52 of Round 2 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Just 21 years old, Luna accepted this fight about a week ago. Despite having a fairly prominent wrestling background, he was unable to keep Mitchell off him, allowing two takedowns and 11:40 worth of control time to Bryce. Any theoretical edge Luna may have had on the feet was completely negated by his inability to remain upright. Santiago is so young, so all that matters is that he continues to remain healthy and get consistent reps inside the Octagon. He's a quality prospect, and this setback, the first of his pro career, won't change that.
Just 21 years old, Luna accepted this fight about a week ago. Despite having a fairly prominent wrestling background, he was unable to keep Mitchell off him, allowing two takedowns and 11:40 worth of control time to Bryce. Any theoretical edge Luna may have had on the feet was completely negated by his inability to remain upright. Santiago is so young, so all that matters is that he continues to remain healthy and get consistent reps inside the Octagon. He's a quality prospect, and this setback, the first of his pro career, won't change that.
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Booked vs Mitchell on short notice
Luna will fight Bryce Mitchell at UFC Vegas 118 on June 6, Marcel Dorff of Heavy on Sports reports.
ANALYSIS
Luna has been booked on very short notice, stepping in for Victor Henry (undisclosed) to fight Mitchell in Las Vegas. Luna boasts an 8-0 professional record heading into the bout and Mitchell is coming off a win versus Said Nurmagomedov in July. It is short notice for both fighters, but at least Mitchell was already preparing to fight on this date.
Luna has been booked on very short notice, stepping in for Victor Henry (undisclosed) to fight Mitchell in Las Vegas. Luna boasts an 8-0 professional record heading into the bout and Mitchell is coming off a win versus Said Nurmagomedov in July. It is short notice for both fighters, but at least Mitchell was already preparing to fight on this date.
Flawless effort in easy win
Luna defeated Angel Pacheco via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Mexico City.
ANALYSIS
Luna made his UFC debut on two weeks' notice in September and knocked out Quang Le in less than three minutes. He was back in action here against a much weaker opponent and predictably dominated from start to finish. It would have been nice to see Luna earn the stoppage as a -775 favorite, and he did everything he could to get it, but Pacheco and his all-world toughness had other plans. Luna landed 131 significant strikes and mixed in five takedowns for good measure. It was a complete performance. Luna won't turn 22 years of age until August, so expect the company to continue to slow-play things with him for a while longer.
Luna made his UFC debut on two weeks' notice in September and knocked out Quang Le in less than three minutes. He was back in action here against a much weaker opponent and predictably dominated from start to finish. It would have been nice to see Luna earn the stoppage as a -775 favorite, and he did everything he could to get it, but Pacheco and his all-world toughness had other plans. Luna landed 131 significant strikes and mixed in five takedowns for good measure. It was a complete performance. Luna won't turn 22 years of age until August, so expect the company to continue to slow-play things with him for a while longer.
To fight Pacheco in Mexico
Luna is scheduled to fight Angel Pacheco in a bantamweight fight at UFC Mexico on Feb. 28, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Luna began his UFC career promisingly by delivering a first-round knockout to Quang Le on less than two weeks' notice for the fight. He will have a lot more time to prepare for his next bout, and Pacheco was dominated in his UFC debut and latest bout almost two years ago.
Luna began his UFC career promisingly by delivering a first-round knockout to Quang Le on less than two weeks' notice for the fight. He will have a lot more time to prepare for his next bout, and Pacheco was dominated in his UFC debut and latest bout almost two years ago.
Shines in late-notice debut
Luna defeated Quang Le via KO (punches) at 2:48 of Round 1 at UFC Noche on Saturday in San Antonio.
ANALYSIS
Accepting this fight on two weeks' notice and with all of six regional-scene bouts in his professional career, Luna, who turned 21 years of age in early-August, put forth quite an effort. He was blitzed by the veteran Le early on, but held his ground, recovered and eventually was able to get him out of there with some huge blows in under three minutes. The finish would go on to win him a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus. Luna is now 7-0 in his pro career, with all seven wins coming via stoppage (three knockouts, four submissions).
Accepting this fight on two weeks' notice and with all of six regional-scene bouts in his professional career, Luna, who turned 21 years of age in early-August, put forth quite an effort. He was blitzed by the veteran Le early on, but held his ground, recovered and eventually was able to get him out of there with some huge blows in under three minutes. The finish would go on to win him a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus. Luna is now 7-0 in his pro career, with all seven wins coming via stoppage (three knockouts, four submissions).
UFC debut scheduled
Luna is scheduled to compete against Quang Le in a bantamweight fight at UFC Noche on Sept. 13, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
At just 21 years old, Luna is a young gun looking to make a quick name for himself in the UFC. However, he is fighting a more established bantamweight coming off a win and on under two weeks' notice. Still, Luna offers promise, backed up with a 6-0 record and six finishes, two KO/TKOs and four submissions.
At just 21 years old, Luna is a young gun looking to make a quick name for himself in the UFC. However, he is fighting a more established bantamweight coming off a win and on under two weeks' notice. Still, Luna offers promise, backed up with a 6-0 record and six finishes, two KO/TKOs and four submissions.