Nicolle Caliari shines in grappling and earns her first UFC Vegas 117 victory after changing weight classes.

Nicole Caliari Makes weight and confirms fight in UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC

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Nicole Caliari took the first step towards recovery in ufc vegas 117, held this Saturday (16). The Curitiba native opened the event against Shauna Bannon And, putting her high level of grappling skills into practice, she finished the Irish fighter with a katagatame, securing her first victory in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in her strawweight debut (up to 52,3 kg).

With the victory, Caliari reached his ninth career win and ended a two-fight losing streak in the UFC. Bannon, on the other hand, suffered his third career loss, his second consecutive defeat in the organization.

Caliari dominates and secures a submission in the third round.

Caliari started the fight dominating the center of the octagon and going on the offensive against Bannon. In the first few seconds, the Brazilian managed two consecutive takedowns, bringing her opponent to the ground.

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After a long period of striking on the ground, Nicolle applied a slam on the Irish fighter, but couldn't escape her opponent's guard. In the final stretch of the first round, she landed an elbow strike, but had to stand up after Bannon threatened with an armbar. Following that, the Brazilian passed the guard, reached the north-south position and almost finished with a kimura.

In the second round, Nicolle came back pressing. After a brief exchange of blows, she secured the waist and took the fight to the ground again. In an attempt to advance her position, she ended up giving Bannon space to get back to his feet. Subsequently, after a clinch battle, Caliari attempted an arm-lock, but ended the round on the bottom.

At the start of the third round, Nicolle showed more physical fatigue than her opponent, but she kept advancing. At an opportune moment, she landed a jab that stunned the Irish fighter before closing the distance, taking the fight to the ground, and regaining control.

With Bannon on her back on the ground, Caliari maintained control with powerful elbows until she locked in the katagatame, forcing her opponent to tap out.

In the third round! 🔥

Victory by finishing for @NiCaliari No. # UFCVegas117! 🇧🇷

[Live only on @ParamountPlusBR ] pic.twitter.com/u9K2Jw0Owy

- UFC Brazil (@UFCBrasil) May 16, 2026

Flyweight war: Gurule defeats Barez by unanimous decision at UFC Vegas 117

In a duel valid for the flyweight division (up to 56,7 kg) of ufc vegas 117, Luis Gurule e Daniel Barez They put on a real war in the Apex octagon. After staggering his opponent several times and even applying a suplex during 15 minutes of intense striking, the American had his arm raised by unanimous decision of the judges.

With the victory, Gurule reached 11 career wins, achieving his first positive result in the UFC after three losses. Barez, on the other hand, now has one win and two losses in the organization.

Check out the results of UFC Vegas 117

MAIN CARD – Starting at 21 PM (Brasilia time)

Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): arnold allen derrotou Melk Costa by unanimous decision of the judges (50-45, 50-45, 49-46)

Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): Dooho Choi defeated Daniel Willycat by knockout (punch to the waistline) at 4:29 of round 2

Bantamweight (up to 61,2 kg): Juan Diaz defeated Malcolm Wellmaker by submission (rear naked choke) at 4min08sec of R2

Combined weight (up to 97,5 kg): Modest Bukauskas defeated Christian Edwards by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Bantam weight (up to 61,2 kg): Benardo Sopaj defeated Timmy Cuamba by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:25 of round 2.

Light heavyweight (up to 92,9 kg): Khaos Williams derrotou Nikolay Veretennikov by knockout (punch) at 2min31sec of R1

PRELIMINARY CARD – Starting at 18 PM (Brasilia time)

Light heavyweight (up to 92,9 kg): Ivan Erslan defeated Tuco Tokkos by unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Lightweight (up to 70,3 kg): Thomas Gantt defeated Artur Minev by knockout (punches) at 2:51 of round 2.

Bantam weight (up to 61,2 kg): Ketlen Scallop derrotou Jacqueline Cavalcanti by unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Average weight (up to 83,9 kg): Cody Brundage derrotou Andre Petroski by knockout (punches) at 0:44 of round 2

Straw weight (up to 52,1 kg): Alice Ardelean derrotou Polyana viana by submission (knee lock) at 4:30 of round 2

Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Luis Gurule derrotou Daniel Barez by unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Straw weight (up to 52,1 kg):  Nicole Caliari derrotou Shauna Bannon by submission (katagatame) at 3min8sec of R3