The UFC flyweight division has a new contender.
Ray Borg put on a gritty performance to take a close unanimous decision win over the No. 3-ranked Jussier Formiga at UFC Fight Night 106 in Fortaleza, Brazil on Saturday.
E não deu para o brasileiro Jussier Formiga, vitória de Ray Borg! #UFCFortaleza #BelfortNoCombate pic.twitter.com/rZWGmsmg1T
— Spider Indignado (@spiderindignado) March 12, 2017
It was the biggest win of the 23-year-old Borg's career and he used his post-fight interview to call for a bout with the winner of an upcoming fight between 125-pound champion Demetrious Johnson and Wilson Reis.
Borg's speed gave Formiga problems from the start as the card's youngest fighter was able to dart in and out while landing short hooks and crisp uppercuts. That prevented Formiga from implementing his smothering jiu-jitsu game.
Formiga picked up the pace as the fight went on and he was eventually able to match Borg in the striking exchanges. The scores appeared to be tied going into the third round, which set the stage for a dramatic finish.
In Round 3, Formiga finally managed to score an elusive takedown, but Borg lived up to his nickname "The Tazmexican Devil" by escaping with a sensational scramble. Not to be outdone, Formiga executed another takedown before transitioning to Borg's back where he threatened with a rear-naked choke.
The final advantage belonged to Borg as he managed to twist around into top position and close out the action with effective ground-and-pound. All three judges scored the fight in Borg's favor 29-28, which reflected the narrow margin of victory.
Fighting outside of the United States for the first time, Borg improved to 5-2 in the UFC.
Formiga's UFC record drops to 5-4 and the Brazilian has now lost two of his past three fights.
