On March 15, 2025, UFC Vegas 104 showcased stunning upsets, with Carlos Vera shocking fans by submitting undefeated bantamweight prospect Josias Musasa. Vera, marked as the biggest underdog on the card, overcame expectations with his impressive performance, defeating Musasa by rear-naked choke just three minutes and 16 seconds after the fight began.
Entering his UFC debut, Musasa carried the weight of great expectations. He had previously secured his place on the UFC roster with a split decision victory against Otari Tanzilovi on Dana White's Contender Series last October. Praised as the biggest favorite for the fight against the 37-year-old Vera, Musasa was viewed as potentially ready to make his mark on the UFC scene. Yet, his first taste of the octagon proved different from anticipated.
The bout kicked off with fierce exchanges as both fighters looked to assert dominance early. Vera, fresh from a decision loss on his original UFC debut, came out swinging with aggressive leg kicks aimed at Musasa. The Congolese fighter caught some kicks but struggled to find his rhythm. Then came the pivotal moment; as Vera delivered a head kick, he dropped Musasa to the ground.
Vera quickly capitalized on his opponent’s vulnerability by transitioning to Musasa's back, locking him in for the rear-naked choke. Despite Musasa’s attempts to fight off the submission, he was forced to tap out, marking the end of his undefeated record, which now stands at 8-1 after this fight.
Unimpressed by Musasa's debut, the MMA community took to social media to offer strong reactions. The term ‘fraud check’ echoed among fans as they analyzed Musasa's performance. Critics exacerbated the narrative surrounding fighters who enter the octagon undefeated only to face surprise defeats, as seen earlier in the night with Yuneisy Duben, who was knocked out by Carli Judice within two minutes. "Carlos Vera with the huge fraud check on Josias Musasa!! Awesome," declared one fan, demonstrating the brutal nature of fan assessments post-fight.
During the pre-fight weigh-ins, Musasa initially missed weight by half a pound but managed to hit the mark before the fight, easing any regulations complications. Still, the expectation was set high for the newcomer who was impressively undefeated, but Vera’s skills prevailed. After landing his head kick, the fight quickly turned in favor of the veteran.
Vera's victory not only marked his first win under the UFC banner but also came as sweet redemption for the fighter who faced significant odds, entering the bout as high as +600 underdog. "I had to show a little bit of my strike arsenal," expressed Vera following his win, pointing at tactical game changes compared to his earlier fight, which left him disheartened. The strategy was clear: leverage his effective kicks to catch Musasa off guard.
The fight at UFC Vegas 104 established advanced dynamics, emphasizing the unpredictability of MMA, where veterans can still surprise rising prospects. Discussions among analysts highlighted how Vera's performance will serve as both motivation and cautionary tale for fellow fighters entering the competition with unblemished records.
After reviewing the card results, alongside Vera's assertion, it was clear this event left its mark. The fight night saw other notable matches, including Sam Hughes defeating Stephanie Luciano via split decision and Priscila Cachoeira's knockout victory over Josiane Nunes. Yet, it was the stunning submission of Musasa by Vera, now officially 1-2 in the UFC, which dominated the narrative, showcasing the competitive spirit inherent to the UFC.
Musasa's quick fall from grace left many wondering if the quick rise through the ranks may have set unrealistic expectations. Just over three minutes was all it took for the bout to flip the narrative surrounding his career. UFC Vegas 104 has become yet another reminder—to fans and fighters alike—that anything can happen within the octagon, and underdogs can seize the moment, turning tales of anticipation on their heads.