UFC Mexico Results: Enrique Barzola Outclasses Chris Avila
UFC Mexico kicked off with a one-sided decision victory by Enrique Barzola over Stockton’s own Chris Avila, receiving 30-26 scores across the board.
Chris Avila looked to prove he is UFC-worthy after looking flat in his Octagon debut against Artem Lobov in August. The Stockton native is just 5-3 in his MMA career, finishing four of those opponents.
Enrique Barzola is a Peruvian featherweight who won the TUF Latin America 2 tournament as a lightweight. Barzola’s Octagon record was evened up by a controversial split decision loss against Kyle Bochniak in August.
Barzola employed the same strategy as Artem Lobov did, using leg kicks to pepper the heavy lead leg of Avila. Barzola was able to land several takedowns in the round and had back control at one point, clearly winning the stanza 10-9.
Avila’s lone offense in the round was an upkick and a two-punch combination. However, Barzola’s was not happy with how their fighter was in the striking range of the lanky Avila while not being in range to land strikes of his own.
Avila opened the second round with taunts similar to his Diaz brother teammates. Barzola responded with a takedown. After the fight returned to the feet, Barzola went back to the leg kicks.
Barzola stamped the second round with a beautiful double leg takedown. Avila ate several hard shots from the Peruvian after standing up, and looked visibly tired after the flurry.
After two rounds, it was 20-18 Barzola.
Barzola began the third round by lighting up Avila with strikes and a heavy leg kick. Barzola landed a brief takedown two minutes into the final round.
The TUF veteran walked through the long punches of Avila and landed another takedown after a heavy leg kick with just over a minute remaining. Barzola maintained back control while peppering Avila with ground-and-pound. Barzola finished the final round strong by knocking Avila to the floor with a leg kick. Easily a 30-27.
The judges happened to disagree with that score by giving Barzola three 30-26 scores. Barzola’s UFC record is now 2-1, and he credited getting to Mexico early with his camp for his effective cardio.
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