Danny Castillo put on the performance of his life tonight against Shamar Bailey. Bailey, a Strikeforce and Ultimate Fighter veteran, is an extremely difficult fight to finish. Castillo got the takedown early and then put on an absolute clinic once on the ground. Passing from guard to half-guard and then from half-guard to mount. His pace on the ground was just too much for Bailey who was always a step behind “last call”.
The finish came when Castillo secured mount. Bailey hipped out to retain half-guard but left his face open and undefended. Several punches later and the referee was forced to stop the fight. In the post fight interview Castillo said that he wanted to make a statement. Bailey failed to make weight, coming in two pounds over. Castillo made his point with that brutal finish.
Danny Castillo is now 2-1 in the UFC with his other win coming over Joe Stevenson. His sole loss is to Jacob Volkmann. Shamar Bailey is now 1-2 with losses to Castillo and Evan Dunham. He may not get another chance with his failure to make weight.