LAS VEGAS – Bantamweight Mario Bautista is starting to come out of his shell, and is putting his time on the microphone to good use at UFC Fight Night 221.
After submitting Guido Cannetti in an exciting first round, Bautista (12-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) let him know exactly who he wants next, something he usually hasn’t he did in the past. The win over Cannetti (10-7 MMA, 4-6 UFC) marked Bautista’s fourth straight victory, and third consecutive first-round finish – a run he believes deserves a major- 15 challenges, or a special previous champion.
“I thought I was going to get top 15 after (Brian) Kelleher,” Bautista told reporters at the post-fight press conference. “And then I got Benito (Lopez), and then Guido. I’m doing what I’m supposed to do: finish these guys in the first round.
“… I finally opened my mouth and asked for a top 15. Most of these people are matched. So, if not the top 15, then Cody Garbrandt.
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The former bantamweight champion is coming off a victory over Trevin Jones at UFC 285. Although Bautista believes that Garbrandt is not the same fighter he once was, there is pressure on the name that would be nice to have when he started
“The name, the old champion,” said Bautista. “I think he’s going in a different direction in his fighting style. He showed up against Trevin Jones. But I think I can take it back from him. I think I can put up an interesting fight.”
Story first appeared on MMA Junkie
