Bernardo Sopaj showcased his skills in the octagon at UFC Vegas 117, achieving a remarkable victory over Timmy Cuamba. The bantamweight match, held at Meta APEX in Las Vegas, saw Sopaj submit Cuamba with a rear-naked choke in the second round.
Fight Highlights
At the 2:25 mark of Round 2, Sopaj, now holding a record of 13-3 in MMA and 2-1 in the UFC, quickly established control. He began with a powerful left counter that sent Cuamba to the canvas. Cuamba, who has an MMA record of 10-4 and 2-3 in the UFC, attempted to counter by grabbing Sopaj’s leg but was met with a series of punishing strikes.
Turning Point
Sopaj’s relentless attack forced Cuamba to transition from his back to a belly position, allowing Sopaj to secure the choke effectively. This victory marked Sopaj’s second consecutive win, coming after a previous defeat in his promotional debut against Vinicius Oliveira in March 2024. Although that match ended in a flying knee knockout, Sopaj earned accolades for his resilience.
Previous Fights and Future Prospects
After his initial setback, Sopaj rebounded impressively in January, clinching his first UFC victory through a unanimous decision against Ricky Turcios. In contrast, Cuamba’s defeat ended his two-fight winning streak.
UFC Vegas 117 Results
- Winner: Bernardo Sopaj
- Method: Submission (rear-naked choke)
- Round: 2
- Time: 2:25
With this victory, Sopaj is establishing himself as a rising contender in the bantamweight division. Fans and analysts will be keen to see how both fighters progress in their respective careers following UFC Vegas 117.
