The Octagon witnessed proper chaos in Seattle when Tyrell Fortune claimed his first UFC victory, only to have Bruce Buffer initially announce the wrong winner. After nearly a decade grinding through the professional ranks, Fortune finally got his moment – though it came with enough drama to make your head spin.
Fortune Finally Claims First UFC Victory
Fortune (18-3) defeated Marcin Tybura (27-10) by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night on Saturday, with judges scoring the bout 30-27, 29-28, and 29-28. However, pandemonium erupted when Buffer read the scorecards in favour of Tybura, sending the heavyweight trudging back towards the tunnel in defeat.
Fortunately, UFC officials spotted the cock-up and frantically called the fighter back into the arena, where he was properly announced as the winner. Talk about an emotional rollercoaster.
“I was so upset with myself,” admitted Fortune, who hails from the Northwest. “I felt I didn’t do enough. I was just upset. With two weeks’ notice, I feel like I did a good job, but I also need to come with a better performance next time.”
Long Road to the Big Show
Meanwhile, the 35-year-old’s journey to this moment reads like a proper fighter’s tale. The former NCAA Division II national champion wrestler survived a near-death experience in 2012 when he was actually pronounced dead after suffering health complications during a brutal weight cut in his amateur wrestling days. Somehow, he made a full medical recovery.
Subsequently, Fortune was considered a top prospect earlier in his career, spending seven years grinding it out in Bellator MMA from 2016 to 2023 before making two appearances in the PFL’s now-defunct regular season format in 2024.
Now, after all those years of waiting, Fortune finally has his first UFC victory – even if it took Buffer getting his wires crossed to make the moment truly unforgettable.