Peruvian bantamweight prospect Juan Diaz added another high-quality win to his record on Friday night, going four rounds to beat rival Jose Roura for the second time and defend his LUX Fight League 135-pound title.
A stellar performance from Diaz came to an end due to doctor stoppage after the end of a fourth round due to severe swelling around the right eye of Roura. The title clash headlined LUX Fight Lague 047, which took place in Mexico City, Mexico this weekend.
The bantamweight main event had some back-and-forth moments early on, but eventually evolved into a dominating performance from Diaz.
Defending champ Diaz opened with a successful first round, dropping Roura early with a two-punch combination to the head after a few close minutes of striking on the feet. He took the fight to the ground with a d’arce choke later in the ground, although Roura was able to escape the hold.
While Diaz had an impressive start, Roura was able to get back into the fight by the second round. He became the aggressor in stand-up exchanges, marching down Diaz and scoring with hard punches of his own. However, Diaz remained in the fight, continuing to connect with straight shots to the head.
The fight became a pure showcase of Diaz by the third round. He continued to target the head of Roura, who started to have significant swelling around his right eye by this point. After piecing up the challenger with tons of shots, he scored a late knockdown with a flying knee to the head.
Diaz went back to focusing on his grappling in the fourth round, trying once again for a D’arce Choke. He spent more than half of the frame in control of Roura on the ground after scoring a takedown, staying on the mat until the round expired.
Damage around the right eye of Roura had only progressed as the fight continued and eventually grew to be too much for the ringside physical to comfortably let the fight carry on for a final round.
Diaz now boasts an impressive record of 13 wins through 15 pro fights, including a pair of title appearances in LUX. He previously gained the promotion’s bantamweight title in late 2023, beating Roura in a five-round unanimous decision result.
After the fight, Diaz expressed interest in a potential UFC shot but didn’t seem stressed about whether the opportunity will emerge soon.
“If the big leagues still don’t call me, it’s okay,” Diaz said through an interpreter. “I’m ready for whatever. If they want me to defend again, I’ll defend. Or if they call me up, I’m ready.”
Former champ Roura received a title opportunity this weekend after bouncing back in April with a win over Mauricio Nievas.
Past UFC Talent Vargas Captures Lightweight Title
Former UFC talent Rodrigo “Kazula” Vargas picked up the LUX Fight League Lightweight Championship in Friday’s co-main event, closing out a one-sided performance against Alejandro Cerquera with a guillotine choke submission in the second round.
After Vargas spent over a minute on the back of Cerquera in the second round, he pulled guard to apply a guillotine choke and force a tap. The submission came after a highly successful first round for Vargas, controlling Cerquera on the ground and also scoring with hard clean on the feet. The fight became bloody early, as a damaged nose from Cerquera was gushing just a few minutes into the bout.
Some drama occurred in the cage after the finish, as Vargas seemed incensed at Cerquera and his team. After letting go of the fight-ending submission, Vargas kicked Cerquera away before standing up. And following the fight’s result being officially announced, Vargas seemingly shoved away Cerquera.
Vargas mentioned afterward that trash talk from Cerquera, including saying “Tick tock, tick tock” to him at Thursday’s weigh-ins, made him enraged.
The finish win continues a strong run on the regional scene for Vargas, who departed the UFC roster in 2022 after a four-fight run in the promotion. He has now put together four consecutive submission wins since 2023.
Colombia-based prospect Cerquera was receiving the biggest challenge of his career this weekend. He entered this Friday night with a solid prospect record of five wins and one loss since debuting in 2021, with two finish wins in LUX earlier this year.
Here are the quick results from Friday’s card:
Main Card (11:00PM EDT) (UFC Fight Pass)
Bout 11: Juan Diaz def. Jose Roura via TKO, Doctor Stoppage (RD 4, 5:00) (LUX Fight League Bantamweight Championship)
Bout 10: Rodrigo Vargas def. Alejandro Cerquera via Submission, Guillotine Choke (RD 2, 1:40) (Vacant LUX Fight League Lightweight Championship)
Bout 9: Abdi Iniestra def. Luis Cabrera via Decision, Unanimous
Bout 8: Luis Ivan Rodriguez def. Rodrigo Garcia via TKO, Strikes (RD 1, 3:17)
Bout 7: Mauricio Partida def. Brandon Uruchurtu via TKO, Strikes (RD 1, 2:21)
Bout 6: Jefferson Vargas def. Isaac Samayoa via Decision, Unanimous
Preliminary Card
Bout 5: Nicole Geraldo def. Solangel Vera via Decision, Unanimous
Bout 4: Anthony Ramirez def. Luis Quintana via Submission, Armbar (RD 1, 2:48)
Bout 3: Fernanda Larios def. Ivonne Caro via TKO, Strikes (RD 3, 4:40)
Bout 2: Juan Zuniga def. Jairo Gonzalez via TKO, Strikes (RD 1, 2:35)
Bout 1: Ariadne Uriega def. Dulce Vazquez via Decision, Unanimous
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