It's going to be hard for Edgar Chairez to top what he did Saturday in front of his home fans.
Chairez (12-6 MMA, 2-2 UFC) broke down in tears in the center of the cage with a wave of emotions after a first-round submission of CJ Vergara (12-7-1 MMA, 3-5 UFC) at UFC on ESPN 64
at the exact halfway mark of the openign frame.
Earlier in the day, Chairez was meant to fight on the prelims. He wound up on the main card and took advantage. He drilled Vergara with a right hand and put him on the canvas. Vergara popped back up, but Chairez stayed vigilant and leveled him again.
In a show of true well-rounded dominance, Chairez latched onto Vergara, took his back, tightened up a rear-naked choke and had the eighth submission of his career while Vergara still no doubt was dazed from the punches.
Afterward, Chairez told Daniel Cormier in his post-fight interview that his grandfather's death was why he was particularly emotional after the win.
"About a year ago, I didn't have the money to get surgery," Chairez said through a translator. "I couldn't do anything. My grandfather was also a father to me. He sold his truck to pay for the surgery. That's the reason why I'm here. Last year, he was right here. This year, he's not. But I know he's in the first row in heaven watching me tonight."
Check out Chairez's finish in the video below.
EDGAR CHAIREZ GETS THE TAP 😮💨
He gets the hometown victory in Round 1! #UFCMexicopic.twitter.com/oYaSDAF5G6
— UFC (@ufc) March 30, 2025
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie's event hub for UFC on ESPN 64.
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This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC on ESPN 64 video: Edgar Chairez drills, then taps CJ Vergara for emotional finish
