Billy Quarantillo has pulled out a big win…

The Latino mixed martial artist and opponent Spike Carlyle weren’t the biggest names on Saturday’s UFC Fight Night, but definitely sure ended up stealing the show.

Quarantillo (14-2) and Carlyle (9-2) engaged in a wild, three-round affair, inside the UFC‘s Apex facility in Las Vegas. It was the UFC’s first event back at its home base in Las Vegas since the state of Nevada suspended combat sports indefinitely in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In the end, it was Quarantillo who got the nod, as all three judges scored the 150-pound catchweight bout 29-28 in his favor. Carlyle appeared surprised by the scores but did not immediately contest them.

“I never want to leave it in the hands of the judges,” Quarantillo said. “That’s the first decision I’ve gotten in years. He’s a tough kid. I didn’t think his wrestling would be that good. That was a wild fight. I got busted up, he got busted up. You bet your ass, my next fight, I’m going for the kill.”

The fight got off to a mad start from the opening bell as Carlyle sprinted across the Octagon and launched a flying kick at Quarantillo’s face. Carlyle hurt him moments later with standing elbows from the clinch, and followed that with huge shots on the ground.

The first round ended as wildly as it began, as Carlyle inexplicably stood up with about 10 seconds left and started walking back to his corner. Quarantillo chased him down and landed a hard left hook before the round ended. Carlyle appeared to be hurt, but stuck his tongue out toward Quarantillo.

The second frame was the closest of the three. Carlyle won the majority of the wrestling exchanges, but he also began to fatigue and ate a hard knee to his midsection midway through. The third round was all Quarantillo, as Carlyle showed heart but was clearly gassed.

Quarantillo, of Tampa, improves to 2-0.

Carlyle falls to 1-1 in the UFC.