LAS VEGAS, NV – NOVEMBER 9: (RL) Peru’s Gaston Bolanos defeats Cortavias Romias in a bantamweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on November 9, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. kick (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Gaston Bolanos and Cortavias Romeos met Saturday at UFC Vegas 100 in the bantamweight division, but the bout was moved up to the main card after several other matchups failed.
Bolanos, a former Bellator talent, is looking for his second win in the UFC, while Romias was making his promotional debut following his victory on the most recent season of Dana White’s Contender Series.
The first round began with both fighters landing heavy kicks on each other, taking advantage of their open stances (Bolanos orthodox, Romias southpaw). A huge explosion from Romias caused a slam and the fight went to the ground. But he went after the armbar too soon. Bolaños was able to defend a rushed submission attempt and eventually got on top before breaking away and rising to his feet. The next few minutes were spent with Bolanos doing the better job and being the busier fighter on his feet. Bolanos appeared injured at the end of the round, but it turned out to be more of a stumble than an actual knockdown. 10-9 Bolaño after one run.
Romias started the second round with a big slam, and Bolanos came close to reversing the fight, but Romias ended up getting a backtake. Romias continued to try to land a rear-naked choke, but the Peruvian fighter managed to defend and get out of this bad position. He then managed to thoroughly outstrike Romias for the remaining rounds. Romious won the first half of the round in control time, but there is little doubt that Bolanos did more damage throughout the round. Bolanos again won the round 10-9.
Romias was still trying to grapple in round three. They find themselves in a strange position after Romias appears to attack with a calf slicer. Bolanos ended up in last place, but was able to come back with a triangle choke. After Bolanos rejects the attempt, Romias tries to fly around backwards and accidentally ends up on the bottom. In the second half of the third round, both fighters began to breathe more heavily, making their subsequent blows less intense and making takedown attempts easier. Romias gets a last-minute takedown, but Bolanos thinks he’s up on the scorecards and elects to close his guard, limit his risk, and let time run out.
Official result: Gaston Bolanos def. Cortavius Romias unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
