RIO RANCHO, N.M. – Raulian Paiva beat Mark De La Rosa with a second-round knockout Saturday to open the preliminary card at UFC on ESPN+ 25 in Rio Rancho, N.M.
Take a look inside the fight with Paiva, who snapped a two-fight skid for his first win in the UFC.
Result: Raulian Paiva def. Mark De La Rosa via knockout (punch) – Round 2, 4:43
Updated records: Paiva (19-3 MMA, 1-2 UFC), De La Rosa (11-4 MMA, 2-4 UFC)
Key stat: De La Rosa landed just a few more significant strikes, 50-46, but Paiva landed the big right hand that counted late in the second.
Paiva on the fight’s key moment
“We knew that he had a very good grappling game and that his wrestling is very good, so a lot of the camp was focused on takedown defense and keeping the fight standing. I believe in my jiu-jitsu. I know that I could compete with him there, but I know that my standup is on a different level than his.”
Paiva on getting his first UFC win
“I am just beginning. In 2019, I had two good fights, but unfortunately there was some more luck that I needed. I believe I won the first one, but I left it in the judges’ hands. Now I know that I am finally starting my UFC career and I’m here to show the world and my hometown that I am one of the best fighters in the world.”
Paiva on what he wants next
“I hope that this shows the UFC that I am worthy of being here and that I get more opportunities to show how good I am and how far I can go in the division.”
To hear more from Paiva, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.
