From new champions to multiple finishes and even a main event change at the last minute, 559 Fights 121 seemingly had it all. The packed crowd brought the energy to the Visalia Convention Center, getting louder and more electric as the night progressed.
The main card originally featured eight bouts, with four of them being championship fights. But, with the main event of Jonathan Diaz vs. Erique Arroyo getting cancelled hours before it was scheduled to take place, all remaining fights got moved up a spot.
Ezekiel Ortiz vs. Isaiah Sanchez (Bantamweight)
Ortiz and Sanchez kicked off the main card. This fight was filled with a good mix of overall skill. Ortiz attempted numerous take-down attempts early on, having success on his first attempt but struggled to finish any other for the rest of the fight.
At the end of the second round, Ortiz appeared to tap out to Sanchez; however, the referee ruled the tap after the bell, allowing the fight to go on. Sanchez eventually beat Ortiz with a rear-naked choke in the third and final round.
Ricardo Ugalde vs. Julian Alvarado (Welterweight)
Ugalde and Alvarado started hot. Ugalde earned a quick takedown in the opening seconds, where he cut his face open on the cage. A doctor came into the cage before the start of the second to check on the cut, leading to a delayed second round.
Ugalde got multiple takedowns and wrestled Alvarado across the octagon for most of the second and third rounds. Ugalde won by unanimous decision.
Michael Burke vs. Hunter Thompson (Catchweight)
Burke and Thompson were matched up on short notice, leading them to fight at an agreed-upon weight of 140 pounds. Burke started the first round throwing up multiple submission attempts, but was unable to finish any. Thompson responded in the second with some grappling of his own, as well as landing some good shots.
Burke eventually found a tight guillotine 1:19 into the third and was able to tap Thompson out to take home the win.
Luis Ramos vs. Christopher Mendoza (Bantamweight)
Ramos and Mendoza kicked off the final non-title fight of the night. Both men appeared even in terms of striking, but Ramos quickly took over the fight with his grappling, getting multiple takedowns and keeping Mendoza on the ground for most of the bout.
Ramos stuck to his grappling before pulling off a Darce choke and tapping Mendoza out. Ramos took home the win via submission in the second round.
Ryan Fiorentino vs. Augustine Garcia (Championship fight: Welterweight)
Fiorentino and Garcia kicked off the first title fight of the night with Fiorentino defending his belt. Both guys showed their diversity of skills throughout most of the fight, with grappling being the theme for the first round and striking for the second.
Despite being the challenger, Garcia proved to go the distance with the champ. Ultimately, Garcia dethroned Fiorentino, winning by unanimous decision, making him the new champion at 175 lbs.
Gabriel Sanchez vs. Israel Aldama (Championship fight: Lightweight)
Sanchez, who was defending his belt, was the biggest crowd favorite of the night, getting the loudest cheers out of all the fighters. Aldama didn’t let that faze him as he came out with a strong game plan.
He used his rage well and put Sanchez against the cage, a tactic he used throughout the fight. Sanchez threw significant strikes through all three rounds, with some landing home, but Aldama’s chin remained strong throughout the fight.
In the end, Aldama was able to beat Sanchez by unanimous decision to become the new lightweight champion.
Sajin Zacarias vs. Paul Furr (Championship fight: Flyweight)
Zacarias and Furr rose to the occasion and took over the main event of the night. Zacarias, a two-time flyweight champion, was looking to add a title defense and extend his win streak. He started the first round strong with some good striking on the feet. Furr responded by wrestling Zacarias down and holding him there for the first round.
Zacarias started the second round right where Furr left off with some grappling of his own, eventually finding a ground and pound opportunity and knocking out Furr to retain his title.
Jonathan Diaz vs. Erique Arroyo (Canceled)
Originally scheduled to be the main event, the fight was cancelled hours before it was meant to take place. Diaz announced via Instagram that the fight was canceled due to a bad weight cut, which ended with a trip to the emergency room.
Fighters return for 559 Fights 122 on Mar. 6, at Eagle Mountain Casino in Porterville, California, where No. 2-ranked UFC featherweight Diego Lopes will be co-hosting the event alongside No. 10-ranked UFC flyweight and former 559 Fights fighter Alex Perez.
