Mario Bautista just scored a massive victory at UFC Vegas 113, submitting Vinicius Oliveira in the second round and cementing his place as a rising star in the bantamweight division. But here's where it gets controversial: despite his triumph, Bautista has flat-out rejected a main event matchup against Song Yadong in Macau, opting instead to chase a rematch with Cory Sandhagen. Is this a smart career move, or a missed opportunity? Let’s break it down.
Fresh off his win, Bautista made his intentions crystal clear during his post-fight interview. He’s got his eyes on Sandhagen, the man who handed him his first UFC loss back in 2019. It’s a classic case of unfinished business, and Bautista seems determined to settle the score. But just as the dust was settling, Song Yadong threw his hat into the ring, publicly challenging Bautista to headline UFC Macau with a playful jab about kung pao chicken. Bautista’s response? A firm ‘no,’ followed by a reminder that Song should ‘sit on that loss’—referring to Song’s recent defeat to Sean O’Malley.
And this is the part most people miss: while Bautista’s desire for a Sandhagen rematch is understandable, the logistics might not align. Sandhagen is already eyeing fights with O’Malley or Aiemann Zahabi, leaving Bautista in a tricky spot. From a rankings perspective, a matchup with Song—currently No. 6 in the division—would make the most sense. A win there could catapult Bautista closer to title contention. But Bautista seems unwilling to budge, riding the momentum of eight straight wins before his setback against Umar Nurmagomedov and now this latest victory.
So, should Bautista reconsider and take the trip to China? Or is he right to hold out for Sandhagen? Here’s the controversial take: Bautista’s refusal to fight Song could be seen as a strategic misstep, especially if it delays his climb up the rankings. But it could also be a bold statement of intent, proving he’s not just chasing wins—he’s chasing redemption. What do you think? Is Bautista making the right call, or is he letting pride get in the way of progress? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments!
