Former UFC lightweight James Llontop is back to making highlight reels outside the Octagon.
After going 0–3 in the UFC and missing weight twice, the 26-year-old Peruvian was released following a hard-fought loss to top prospect Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 309 last year. Now competing for FFC in his home country, Llontop has re-established himself as a dominant force — and reigning champion.
Fighting in front of a home crowd at FFC 98, Llontop defended his belt in devastating fashion against 22-fight veteran Jose Barrios Vargas. In the final minute of the opening round, Llontop missed with a few punches before landing a perfect head kick that dropped Barrios to his knees. A quick flurry of follow-up strikes sealed a first-round knockout, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
The finish marked Llontop’s third successful title defense and his fourth win in five fights since leaving the UFC. He remains undefeated in FFC (14-0) and is building momentum for a possible return to the promotion that once released him.
A few more finishes like this, and “Goku” could find himself back in the Octagon sooner rather than later.
