Tyrell Fortune made his UFC debut on 28/3 in Seattle against Polish opponent Marcin Tybura, marking a significant step after 10 years in professional mixed martial arts. The bout went the full three rounds, with no knockout, and judges decided the outcome by points.
Despite most fans believing Fortune had secured a clear victory, legendary announcer Bruce Buffer unexpectedly declared Tybura as the winner.
Upon hearing the result, Fortune exited the octagon and headed into the tunnel, visibly disappointed. However, event organizers quickly realized the mistake. Commentator Brendan Fitzgerald informed viewers on air that an error had occurred and requested the American fighter to return to the arena.
Fortune was then called back. Buffer publicly apologized for the misstep and re-read the accurate scores: Fortune won by unanimous decision with scores of 29-28, 29-28, and 30-27.
"I was truly disappointed with myself, feeling like I hadn't done enough," Fortune shared after the fight. He mentioned having only two weeks to prepare but still believed he could have performed better.
The 35-year-old fighter admitted his emotions "plummeted then soared" as he transitioned from believing he had lost to being recognized as the victor. "When I came back and had my hand raised, everything felt right," he expressed.
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Tyrell Fortune (right) throws a punch in his fight against Marcin Tybura at UFC Fight Night in Seattle, US on 28/3. Photo: UFC |
Fortune, a former Division II national wrestling champion, improved his professional record to 18 wins and three losses. He is expected to enter the UFC heavyweight rankings once they are updated this week.
The 35-year-old's journey to the UFC has been a long one, including a near-fatal incident in 2012. While an amateur wrestler, he suffered complications during weight cutting and was even declared deceased before making a full recovery. Once considered a promising prospect, Fortune competed for Bellator from 2016-2023 and made two appearances in PFL in 2024 before joining the UFC.
Hong Duy (according to Daily Mail)
