The lightweight bout between Ismael Bonfim and Chris Padilla is one of the key matchups at UFC Vegas 111. Ismael Bonfim (20-5) fights ahead of his younger brother, who headlines the event. This preview covers the fight prediction, pick, and betting odds.
Ismael Bonfim, 29, comes into the fight with a 1-2 record in his last three bouts. His most recent outing was a first-round TKO loss to Nazim Sadykhov in February, marking the first knockout defeat in his career. This setback interrupted his momentum after a win over Vinc Pichel earlier in 2024.
Chris Padilla, 30, remains undefeated in the UFC with a 3-0 record. After a decade competing in West Coast regional events, 'Taco' made a strong UFC debut with a submission win over James Llontop on short notice at UFC Vegas 91. He followed up with a knockout victory against Rongzhu and a decision win over Jai Herbert.
"Nobody expected Padilla to be this successful when he stepped up on short notice, yet here he is. The gritty Californian has already exceeded expectations in the UFC, winning all three of his fights as an underdog."
Although Padilla may not be the toughest opponent Bonfim has faced, his perseverance and recent run make this a compelling contest early on.
This lightweight matchup is set to challenge both fighters, with Padilla's undefeated streak putting pressure on Bonfim to recover from his recent knockout loss.
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