UFC Vegas 113: Revamped APEX Hosts Crucial Bantamweight Clash Between Bautista and Oliveira

The Ultimate Fighting Championship makes its anticipated return to a newly renovated Meta APEX this Saturday for UFC Vegas 113, headlining with a pivotal bantamweight showdown between the ranked Mario Bautista and the surging Vinicius Oliveira. This event marks the promotion’s first return to its flagship Las Vegas venue in nearly two months, following extensive upgrades designed to enhance the live spectator experience and broadcast capabilities. The expanded seating capacity and improved infrastructure are expected to usher in a new era for events held at the APEX, offering a more dynamic atmosphere for both fighters and a limited number of attendees.

The main event pits the No. 8-ranked bantamweight contender, Mario "Super Mario" Bautista (15-4, 9 KOs, 3 Submissions), against the unranked but highly touted prospect, Vinicius "Lok Dog" Oliveira (14-2, 10 KOs). Bautista, known for his aggressive striking and relentless pace, enters this contest on the back of a solid run, including a notable performance at UFC 321 in October 2025 where he faced Umar Nurmagomedov. While that bout did not go his way, Bautista demonstrated resilience and an evolved skillset, proving his mettle against elite competition. Prior to that, he had strung together a series of impressive victories, showcasing his diverse offensive arsenal and improved defensive awareness. His last victory came via unanimous decision over former contender Ricky Simón, a fight that solidified his position within the division’s top ten. Bautista’s camp has expressed confidence in his preparation, emphasizing a renewed focus on strategic striking and takedown defense to counter Oliveira’s explosive style.

Vinicius Oliveira, meanwhile, has been on a meteoric rise since earning his contract on Dana White’s Contender Series. With a reputation for devastating knockout power and an exciting, fan-friendly approach, Oliveira has quickly garnered attention in the competitive bantamweight landscape. His 10 knockout victories underscore his ability to finish fights decisively, often in spectacular fashion. Oliveira’s most recent outing saw him deliver a first-round knockout against a seasoned veteran, signaling his readiness for higher-ranked opposition. His aggressive forward pressure and potent combinations pose a significant threat to any opponent, and his team believes his youthful exuberance and raw power could be the decisive factors against the more experienced Bautista. This bout serves as a critical litmus test for Oliveira, offering him the opportunity to vault into the rankings with a win over a respected top-10 fighter. For Bautista, it is a chance to defend his ranking and demonstrate his continued evolution against a dangerous, ascending talent. The stylistic clash promises a high-octane encounter, with both fighters preferring to stand and trade, making it a strong candidate for ‘Fight of the Night’ honors.

Beyond the main event, UFC Vegas 113 features several other compelling matchups with significant divisional implications. In the flyweight division, two elite contenders are set to clash as Kyoji Horiguchi (29-5, 15 KOs, 4 Submissions) takes on Amir Albazi (18-1, 5 KOs, 11 Submissions). Horiguchi, a former Rizin and Bellator champion, brings a wealth of experience and a diverse skillset to the Octagon. His precision striking, formidable wrestling, and fight IQ have made him a perennial threat across multiple organizations. After a brief return to the Japanese circuit, Horiguchi’s recent return to the UFC has seen him re-establish himself as a top-tier flyweight, aiming to put himself firmly back into the title picture. His last UFC fight was a dominant unanimous decision win over Tim Elliott, showcasing his elite grappling and control.

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Albazi, on the other hand, represents a new wave of flyweight talent. The Iraqi-Swedish fighter boasts an impressive professional record, with a significant majority of his victories coming by submission, highlighting his dangerous ground game. Undefeated in the UFC, Albazi has systematically climbed the rankings with a series of dominant performances, including a recent submission victory over Kai Kara-France that underscored his elite jiu-jitsu. This bout is crucial for both fighters; a victory for Horiguchi would solidify his claim for a title shot, while an Albazi win would mark his arrival as an undeniable force in the flyweight division, potentially setting him up for a championship challenge in the near future. The winner of this contest will undoubtedly be scrutinised by the divisional champion and the UFC matchmakers as the next contender emerges.

Also on the card, heavyweight contender Jailton Almeida (20-3, 7 KOs, 12 Submissions) looks to regain momentum and "his aura," as suggested by analysts, in a critical bout against the resilient Chris Barnett (23-9, 17 KOs, 1 Submission). Almeida, known for his suffocating grappling and powerful ground-and-pound, burst onto the heavyweight scene with a string of dominant finishes. However, his last fight saw him suffer a setback against a top-ranked opponent, leading to questions about his standing at the elite level. This matchup against Barnett, a dangerous striker with surprising athleticism for his frame, presents Almeida with an opportunity to showcase his improvements and reassert his dominance. A decisive victory is paramount for Almeida to prove he is still a legitimate contender in a heavyweight division that is constantly evolving. Barnett, conversely, will be looking to upset the odds and add a significant name to his resume, known for his willingness to engage in thrilling slugfests.

The event also features a segment dubbed "The Climb," highlighting several emerging prospects aiming to make their mark on the preliminary card. Among these, the lightweight clash between undefeated sensation Mateo "The Matador" Reyes (9-0, 5 KOs) and the gritty veteran Declan Hayes (12-5, 6 KOs) stands out. Reyes, with his explosive striking and dynamic movement, is considered one of the most promising talents in the division, having impressed with back-to-back finishes in his initial UFC appearances. Hayes, a durable and experienced fighter, will serve as a stern test for Reyes’s undefeated streak, aiming to use his octagon experience to nullify the younger fighter’s aggression. Another intriguing preliminary bout sees women’s strawweight prospect Anya Sharma (7-1, 2 KOs, 3 Submissions) face off against the powerful grappler Chloe Davies (6-2, 1 KO, 4 Submissions). Sharma’s striking prowess against Davies’s submission acumen promises a classic striker-versus-grappler contest, with the winner moving closer to cracking the division’s top 15.

The renovated Meta APEX now boasts an increased seating capacity, upgraded lighting, and state-of-the-art broadcast facilities, aiming to deliver a more immersive experience for the limited live audience and enhanced production value for viewers worldwide. The improvements are a strategic move by the UFC to solidify the APEX as a premier destination for fight nights, capable of hosting larger and more significant events while maintaining the intimate atmosphere it is known for. The return to this enhanced venue, after a nearly two-month hiatus, marks a new chapter for the UFC’s base of operations, promising an elevated standard for its Fight Night series.

Ahead of the event, the "No Bets Barred" podcast, hosted by Jed Meshew, released its 148th episode, offering an in-depth breakdown of the UFC Vegas 113 card. The episode also included a brief recap of UFC 325, a major pay-per-view event that occurred recently, underscoring the rapid pace of UFC action. Listeners of the podcast would have received detailed analyses on the main event, the flyweight title eliminator, and Almeida’s pivotal heavyweight clash, along with other "The Climb" matchups. With a blend of established contenders and rising stars, UFC Vegas 113 is poised to deliver a night of high-stakes action and potential breakout performances from the heart of the newly upgraded Meta APEX.

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