Brunno Ferreira secured a significant victory over Armen Petrosyan at UFC 313, held on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. This middleweight bout saw Ferreira put on display his grappling prowess, marking the first submission win of his UFC career.
Both fighters entered the octagon needing to bounce back from recent losses. Ferreira was coming off a defeat to Abus Magomedov, and Petrosyan's record featured multiple setbacks, including a stunning loss to Shara Magomedov via a rare double spinning back fist. With this backdrop, the fight began with high stakes for both competitors.
Initially, the fight was tentative. Petrosyan began claiming the center of the octagon, utilizing his strong kicks and precise punches to establish his rhythm. He landed several solid kicks to Ferreira's body, signaling his intent to control the pace. Conversely, Ferreira, known for his aggressive finishing style—having all 12 prior professional wins by stoppage—was waiting for the right moment. An early overhand left from Ferreira rocked Petrosyan, who countered by landing hefty strikes back.
Things took an unexpected turn halfway through the first round when Petrosyan landed two low blows on Ferreira, prompting referee Mark Smith to intervene and issue Petrosyan a penalty. The incident not only cost him a point but also disrupted Petrosyan's momentum, setting the stage for Ferreira's comeback.
Following the instructional pause, Ferreira struck with renewed energy. He pressed forward, landing significant strikes. Despite taking the early hit from Petrosyan, Ferreira managed to take control and pushed for offensive maneuvers, including attempts to capitalize on every opening during the exchanges.
By round two, Ferreira’s aggression seemed to pay off. Although Petrosyan attempted to reassert his dominance with strikes of his own, Ferreira kept him at bay with effective jabs. Ferreira's relentless approach became evident; he pushed Petrosyan toward the canvas utilizing his wrestling prowess, securing back control moments later.
It was at this juncture of the fight, when Ferreira expertly transitioned from back control to lock Petrosyan's arm—and the ensuing armbar submission attempt. The skill with which Ferreira executed the move showcased his 'complete arsenal,' as he later told ESPN, effectively ending Petrosyan’s will to fight at 4:27 of the second round. "I have the complete arsenal," Ferreira stated post-fight, emphasizing his functionality as both striker and grappler.
This submission not only elevated Ferreira’s record to 13-2 overall and 4-2 inside the UFC but also highlighted his jiu-jitsu capabilities, often overshadowed by his knockout power. Meanwhile, Petrosyan’s defeat marked his third consecutive loss, with his record now sitting at 9-5 and raising questions about his future career prospects.
Ferreira’s performance at UFC 313 aligns him among the elite finishers, tying him for the most UFC finishes since 2023 with four. Looking forward, he expressed aspirations for Performance of the Night honors, indicating his intent to work on both his grappling and stand-up game as he progresses through the ranks of the UFC.
The UFC continues to be unpredictable, with fighters like Ferreira and Petrosyan at its core, showcasing both skill and tenacity. Fans eagerly anticipate Ferreira’s next bout as he establishes himself as one of the fighters to watch, following this performance of resilience and skill against Petrosyan.