Unfortunate week for Spanish mixed martial arts. If a week ago Joel Álvarez (23-4) lost at UFC 328 against Amosov (30-1), Tonight Dani Bárez (17-8) fell against the American Luis Gurule at the Apex in Las Vegas (11-3). The Valencian lost by unanimous decision (30-27 x3) after a real battle.
A defeat that, a priori, will remove Dani from the UFC. The Spaniard was facing his last contract fight and now It remains with a record of one victory and three losses (1-3) within the company. Despite the intensity of the fight and the spectacle that both fighters left… everything is in the hands of what Dana White, Hunter Campbell and company decide to do.
Dani had her options. It started better but in the middle of the first round Gurule got a hand that destabilized and stopped the veteran Valencian fighter’s advance in its tracks. A blow that unevented the fight and tilted it towards the Colorado fighter’s side. Dani didn’t stop hitting hands, especially from the American’s right, and although He endured heroically, the decision was clear for Gurule who landed almost 200 blows on Bárez’s head.
The Valencian, despite the defeat, can leave the best MMA league in the world with his head held high. An incredible story of improvement and the ability to have gone where very few Spanish fighters have done. One of the pioneers of our country when it comes to reaching the UFC.
The turn now, in a little less than a month (June 14), will be for Ilia Topuria (17-0). The ‘Matador’ will defend his lightweight title at UFC Casa Blanca against Justin Gaethje (27-5).
