Undefeated Santiago Luna Steps in on Short Notice to Face Bryce Mitchell at UFC Vegas 118

Victor Henry is out of UFC Vegas 118. Santiago Luna (8-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) is in. And stepping into what might be the most dangerous short notice opportunity in the bantamweight division right now is one of the smallest bantamweights on the UFC roster. He’s 21 and undefeated and he just agreed to fight Bryce Mitchell (18-3 MMA, 9-3 UFC) next Saturday at the Meta Apex on nine days’ notice. Luna didn’t hesitate when the call came.

Who Is Santiago Luna?

Most people aren't familiar with Santiago Luna just yet. But that's about to change. “Borderboy” made his Noche UFC debut last September and finished Quang Le in the first round. It wasn’t even close. He returned to the Octagon in February in UFC Mexico City and outpointed Angel Pacheco over three rounds to earn a unanimous decision victory. Less stylish, but he still ran away with it. Two fights, two victories.

But what he did before that is even crazier. Luna submitted his first six opponents in the professional circuits. Four submissions, two knockouts. Pacheco was actually the first and only man to make it through three rounds against him. Oh, and he’s also a three time Mexican national champion in Greco Roman wrestling AND has already qualified for the Pan American Games. And he’s only 21 man. That wrestling background is also what makes this fight so crazy. Mitchell has run off two straight victories since moving down to featherweight division, thanks in large part to his talented bottom game on the mat. But Luna can match him in the wrestling department and isn’t afraid to throw hands once they get back to their feet either.

Mitchell Can't Afford to Slip Here Against Santiago Luna

Remember when Mitchell was 15-0 to start his UFC career? Feels like forever ago. Since then he's gone 3-3, bouncing between wins and losses with no real momentum. Jean Silva choked him unconscious at UFC 314 back in April. Moving to bantamweight was supposed to fix things and it kinda did. He beat Said Nurmagomedov by decision in July for his 135-pound debut and looked solid doing it.

But here's the thing. His original opponent pulled out, and his replacement is a 21 year old with zero losses, and he wrestles at a national level. Mitchell is supposed to be the favorite here. He's the veteran. He's got the name. And if this kid comes in on short notice and beats him? That's a really bad look for Mitchell and a career changing moment for this Luna kid. Like these are the kinds of fights that make or break guys on both sides.

UFC Vegas 118 Keeps Getting Reshuffled with Santiago Luna Booking

This card has had a rough week. Henry pulling out was just one piece of it. Baraniewski's fight changed too when Billy Elekana withdrew. Junior Tafa took that one. Then Imanol Rodriguez dropped out of his flyweight bout with Matt Schnell and Alessandro Costa came in at a 130-pound catchweight.

Three fights changed in one week. Main event is still good though. Belal Muhammad against Gabriel Bonfim should be a problem for both guys at welterweight. Brendan Allen vs Edmen Shahbazyan in the co-main. Card is honestly deeper than people realize and Luna stepping in against Mitchell might end up stealing the whole show.

21 years old. 8-0 record. Fighting on the biggest stage he's ever been on against a guy who was at one point unbeatable. That's the kind of opportunity most fighters wait years for. Luna got it with a phone call.