The 2026 FIFA World Cup doesn't start until June 11th, but the UFC Vegas 118 octagon got a head start on the atmosphere. In the fight between Bryce Mitchell and Santiago Luna , which ended with a submission victory for the controversial American, the US and Mexican fans stole the show with chants that cheered on their fighters.
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With the victory, Bryce Mitchell secured his second win in the bantamweight division (up to 61,2 kg) and continues his quest to prove he deserves a title shot against Petr Yan . Santiago Luna , on the other hand, lost his undefeated record. The 21-year-old now has eight wins and only one loss as a professional.
Fueled by the crowd, Bryce Mitchell dominates on the ground and submits Santiago Luna at UFC Vegas 118.
The fight began with a real 'war' in the stands, with chants of 'USA' against 'Mexico'. Fueled by the support, Santiago started by pressing with his boxing, while Mitchell retreated relying on kicks. In an approach by the Mexican, the American managed to clinch and took the fight to the ground. On top, Bryce controlled the action, albeit with little offensive power. In the final stretch of the first round, while attempting a reversal, Luna gave up his back and was almost submitted with a rear-naked choke.
In the second round, Mitchell came back determined to impose his game. In the first few seconds, he pressed against the cage in the clinch. After a takedown attempt, Luna managed to reverse the position and ended up on top. With no space to work on the ground, the Mexican opted to stand up—a decision that proved to be a mistake, since shortly after, Bryce took him down again and regained control.
In the third round, Santiago went all out in search of a knockout. After landing some good strikes, he secured a takedown and almost finished with a triangle choke, but lost the hold and ended up conceding mount. Once again dominant, Mitchell controlled the fight until, taking advantage of a lapse in concentration from his opponent in the final moments, he locked in a katagatame, forcing Luna to tap out and once again echoing the chants of 'USA' from the Meta Apex crowd.
Bryce Mitchell taps undefeated Santiago Luna in the final seconds of the fight🥶 #UFCVegas118 pic.twitter.com/siau9bOo0u
— Combat Casuals (@Combat_Casuals) June 7, 2026
Check out the results of UFC Vegas 118
MAIN CARD
Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Gabriel Marretinha defeated Belal Muhammad by unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)
Middleweight (up to 82,9 kg): Brendan Allen defeated Edmen Shahbazyan by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Lightweight (up to 70,3 kg): Tom Nolan defeated Fares Ziam by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Bantamweight (up to 61,2 kg): Bryce Mitchell defeated Santiago Luna by submission (katagatame) at 4:52 of round 3.
Light heavyweight (up to 92,9 kg): Iwo Baraniewski defeated Junior Tafa by knockout (punches) at 1:25 of round 1.
PRELIMINARY CARD
Catchweight (up to 58,9 kg): Alessandro Costa defeated Matt Schnell by knockout (punches) at 2:32 of round 1.
Bantamweight (up to 61,2 kg): Marcus McGhee defeated John Yannis by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Edgar Chairez defeated Bruno Silva by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:13 of round 1.
Bantamweight (up to 61,2 kg): Chelsea Chandler defeated Priscila Cachoeira by submission (armbar) at 3:42 of round 1.
Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): Joanderson Tubarão defeated Jordan Leavitt by submission (arm-triangle choke) at 4:19 of round 1.
Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Jeisla Chaves defeated Yuneisy Duben by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Strawweight (up to 52,1 kg): Ketlen Souza defeated Ariane Carnelossi by knockout (kick) at 1:32 of round 1.
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