Ignacio Bahamondes proud to represent Chile on big stage after huge DWCS 34 knockout

LAS VEGAS – Ignacio Bahamondes became only the second Chilean fighter in UFC history when he scored a highlight-reel knockout on Wednesday night.

Bahamondes (11-3) punched his ticket to the UFC when he landed a brutal front-kick finish of Edson Gomez at Dana White’s Contender Series 34, which was immediately hailed as a “Knockout of the Year” contender by the UFC.

“The Ultimate Fighter’s” Diego Rivas, who amassed a 2-2 record in the UFC with a viral knockout of his own, was the first Chilean to make it to the UFC. But, as things stand, Bahamondes will be Chile’s lone representative on the current UFC roster.

“I’m always happy to be representing my people, and I think it’s gonna be a good thing for my country right now,” Bahamondes told reporters, including MMA Junkie, at the DWCS 34 post-fight news conference at the UFC Apex. “They’re not crossing good times right now because of the pandemic and everything so I think this is gonna be a little push for my people to keep fighting and show the power of the Latin people.”‘

Gomez missed weight by three pounds, but an unfazed Bahamondes wasn’t going to let that affect his moment.

“I don’t know, but I was here to fight,” he said. “I was going to fight, no matter whatever people I’m gonna fight, so I was ready to fight and that’s what I do.”

Check out the full post-fight press conference with Bahamondes via the video above.