LAS VEGAS, NV – MAY 18: (LR) Melissa Gatto of Brazil defeats Tamirez of Brazil in a bantamweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on May 18, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hit Vidal. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Melissa Gatto was snapped up to face Tamirez Vidal in the bantamweight division at UFC Vegas 92 on Saturday, marking the third of four women’s fights on the Fight Night card.
Normally a flyweight, Gatto was looking to shake off losses to Ariane Lipsky and Tracy Cortez.
In this match, Gatto went on top and fell to the ground early, but Vidal tried for a guillotine from his back. Once Gut was free, she spent the entire round on top and was able to create space to start doing damage towards the final moments. With 30 seconds remaining, Gatto moved to mount and was in control for the better part of five minutes, ending the round there.
Early in the second round, Gatto fired a one-two and moved forward. They headed to the cage and fought in the clinch, with Gatto finally scoring a slow takedown near the halfway mark of the round. Round 1 spent more time on Tamirez Vidal’s girlfriend’s feet, but she still stood on the ground and Gut got on her back and hooked in, spending a lot of time. However, she was unable to find her submission and the pair ended up heading into third.
Vidal, who had been dominated throughout two rounds, needed a finish, but a corner kick instead encouraged patience. In the end, it probably won’t matter. In a strange scene early in the third, Gut’s jab connected to the chest. Vidal held her chest and turned her back on him after turning her to the referee, but it was unclear whether her reaction was caused by pain or an issue with her attire. Either way, it was the wrong decision to turn her back as the referee chose to wave the fight off, resulting in Melissa Gatto winning by TKO.
Melissa Gatto wins after Tamirez Vidal’s delayed reaction 😳 #UFCVegas92 pic.twitter.com/wooliXIhK0
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) May 18, 2024
Official Results: Melissa Gatto def. Tamirez Vidal, TKO, Round 3, 0:37
