Career Averages - Nora Cornolle
Career Averages - Melissa Mullins
Nora Cornolle
Melissa Mullins
Nora Cornolle - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nora Cornolle | 0 | 20 of 35 | 57% | 37 of 58 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:23 |
| Joselyne Edwards | 0 | 19 of 30 | 63% | 44 of 63 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 4:33 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nora Cornolle | 0 | 16 of 29 | 55% | 28 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:23 |
| Joselyne Edwards | 0 | 5 of 13 | 38% | 26 of 39 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:35 | |
| 2 | Nora Cornolle | 0 | 4 of 6 | 66% | 9 of 12 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Joselyne Edwards | 0 | 14 of 17 | 82% | 18 of 24 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 1:58 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nora Cornolle | 20 of 35 | 57% | 9 of 22 | 6 of 7 | 5 of 6 | 8 of 19 | 12 of 16 | 0 of 0 |
| Joselyne Edwards | 19 of 30 | 63% | 17 of 24 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 13 | 2 of 4 | 13 of 13 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nora Cornolle | 16 of 29 | 55% | 9 of 20 | 6 of 7 | 1 of 2 | 4 of 13 | 12 of 16 | 0 of 0 |
| Joselyne Edwards | 5 of 13 | 38% | 4 of 10 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 10 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Nora Cornolle | 4 of 6 | 66% | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 4 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Joselyne Edwards | 14 of 17 | 82% | 13 of 14 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 13 of 13 |
Angelo picks Joselyne Edwards, believing she won the first fight and will win the rematch the same way via pressure, wrestling, and control. He dismisses the previous decision as a homer French decision and expects a fair outcome this time. He notes Edwards' improved takedown defense and offense.
Big Brady picks Joselyne Edwards to defeat Nora Cornolle, citing Edwards's recent finishing streak and improvement training with Valentina Shevchenko. He notes this is a rematch and that Edwards clearly won the first fight, taking Cornolle down eight times and nearly submitting her. He believes Edwards has leveled up since then and will dominate on the ground again, predicting a second-round submission. He criticizes Cornolle's performance against Carola Hosea, where she was nearly finished multiple times.
Cody thinks Edwards has improved significantly, finishing her last three fights. He notes she outgrappled Cornolle in their first fight and expects her to be more aggressive this time. He thinks Cornolle is older and hasn't improved much.
Connor picks Cornolle but notes it's a thin fight. Edwards could win a questionable decision if she banks top time, even without offense. However, if Edwards strikes like she did against Cashaware, things could change. Connor is not confident but leans Cornolle due to the first fight.
James picks Joselyne Edwards with ease, believing she should have won the first fight and has improved since. He notes that Edwards dominated Cornolle with grappling in their first bout and has better striking now. James expects Edwards to win decisively, possibly by finish.
Edwards is on a three-fight winning streak with all finishes, and she has improved her grappling and confidence since training with Valentina Shevchenko. In the first fight, she gave up position but now she is more aggressive and should land more damage. Cornolle struggles with wrestling and is 36 years old. Edwards should dominate on the ground and get a submission.
Paul agrees, calling the first fight a robbery. He thinks Edwards is bigger, faster, and stronger, and that her recent finishes show she's more aggressive. He expects Edwards to win by decision or late finish.
The MMA Guru picks Joselyne Edwards in the rematch, reasoning that Edwards' stand-up has improved while Cornolle's defensive grappling hasn't. He notes that Cornolle struggled with similar styles like Cavalcanti and that Edwards has been getting first round TKOs. He expects Edwards to mix in takedowns and win a 29-28 decision.
Zane picks Cornolle, noting that Edwards was cowed by Cornolle's striking pedigree in the first fight and tried to grapple but couldn't out-grapple Cornolle. Edwards is not efficient on top and produces no meaningful offense. Zane believes the same dynamics will hold.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karol Rosa | 0 | 33 of 58 | 56% | 190 of 224 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 2 | 0 | 11:25 |
| Nora Cornolle | 0 | 27 of 47 | 57% | 75 of 98 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Karol Rosa | 0 | 18 of 34 | 52% | 29 of 47 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:03 |
| Nora Cornolle | 0 | 24 of 37 | 64% | 45 of 59 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Karol Rosa | 0 | 7 of 11 | 63% | 77 of 84 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 2 | 0 | 4:53 |
| Nora Cornolle | 0 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 6 of 9 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Karol Rosa | 0 | 8 of 13 | 61% | 84 of 93 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:29 |
| Nora Cornolle | 0 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 24 of 30 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karol Rosa | 33 of 58 | 56% | 25 of 47 | 6 of 8 | 2 of 3 | 14 of 35 | 6 of 6 | 13 of 17 |
| Nora Cornolle | 27 of 47 | 57% | 15 of 33 | 4 of 4 | 8 of 10 | 17 of 36 | 10 of 11 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Karol Rosa | 18 of 34 | 52% | 10 of 24 | 6 of 7 | 2 of 3 | 12 of 28 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Nora Cornolle | 24 of 37 | 64% | 14 of 26 | 4 of 4 | 6 of 7 | 14 of 27 | 10 of 10 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Karol Rosa | 7 of 11 | 63% | 7 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 8 |
| Nora Cornolle | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Karol Rosa | 8 of 13 | 61% | 8 of 12 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 9 |
| Nora Cornolle | 3 of 7 | 42% | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Rosa (-180); Cornolle (+150)
Round 1
The final women’s match of the evening comes at 135 pounds, in a wide-open division where a contender likely need only amass three or four wins to get a crack at gold. Rosa (18-7, 7-4 UFC) has alternated wins and losses in her last eight outings while hearing the final bell for the entirety of her UFC run. On the other side of the equation, French muay thai practitioner Cornolle (9-2, 3-1 UFC) has only claimed one career win on the scorecards. They will tangle under the watchful eye of referee Kerry Hatley. Gloves are touched before they are traded.
Cornolle gets right to business, walking Rosa down with a body kick and a few punches. Rosa’s back hit the wall, and she fires right back to force the Frenchwoman back. Cornolle resets and lands a low kick, hopping away from a counter to connect with one more. A brief clinch leads to nothing, so Rosa reaches out with a right hand. Cornolle does the same, following with a left and then backing off. Cornolle sits down on a hard low kick, getting countered with two punches upstairs. Cornolle tries for a standing hammerfist, and Rosa tags her with counters as she circles away. Cornolle splits the guard with a right hand, and the two tie up as Rosa pushes her to the wall. Rosa changes levels but is stood up, and Cornolle frames off with an elbow. Cornolle plants her shin on Rosa’ lead leg, and she sways back to evade a looping right hand.
Cornolle has another leg kick countered with three punches up top, and Rosa follows with a one-two but the French striker has her guard up in time. Cornolle initiates a clinch, and Rosa turns her about and jams her up against the fence. Rosa ties up Cornolle’s leg for a trip attempt, but she does not get it. They knee one another on the inside and Cornolle tries to loop big punches when she gains a modicum of space. Rosa keeps her high and tight, kneeing her a few more times even as Cornolle has her elbow smushed in to the Brazilian’s face. Cornolle forces the break with her elbows, and she gets to walking Cornolle down and elbows her in the cheek. The clinch is engaged in the middle of the cage, where Cornolle delivers some knees to the body and is pressed to the fence. Cornolle escapes thanks to her elbows once more, and swelling is growing fast on Rosa’s left cheek. Cornolle knees her foe in the face twice as the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Cornolle
Chris Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Cornolle
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Cornolle
Round 2
Cornolle stalks her foe down to get going, putting hands right in Rosa’s face. Rosa responds immediately with a takedown shot, putting the Frenchwoman on her back in seconds. Cornolle hits her back and defends with a kimura, keeping a two-on-one wrist lock on Rosa’s left arm. Rosa uses her free right hand to smack Cornolle in the side to little effect, and she switches to elbow that land with small but growingly impactful thuds.
Cornolle tries to sit up, but Rosa gloms onto her and pushes her flat to her back. Rosa steps into full mount, and she fastens an arm-triangle mount that starts to smother the woman named “Wonder.” Rosa releases the grip to land some body shots, and she adjusts her arms again. When she does not secure it, she switches back to light punches to the side. Rosa stays heavy rather than sitting up to unload with power, and when she does, Cornolle sits up. Rosa flirts with a rear-naked choke that Cornolle defends without issue, but Rosa is still dominating her threatening with something or other. Rosa grasps hold of a brute force rear-naked choke that is on the nose, and she lets it go so she does not gas her arms out. Rosa bludgeons with ground strikes until time expires.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rosa
Chris Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Rosa
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Rosa
Round 3
The two women come out swinging, with Cornolle trying to pay Rosa back from the last round. Rosa goes back to her grappling quickly, tackling the Frenchwoman to the floor with relative ease and crawling on top of her into half guard. Rosa presses her shoulder down heavily on the side of Cornolle’s neck, grinding out her opponent rather than sitting up to inflict damage. Rosa scores a few pitter-patter body shots as she exerts top pressure, and Cornolle slashes and hacks at her off her back with stern elbows. The Brazilian hops to the other side, still in half guard, and Cornolle looks to her corner for answers.
Rosa loops her right arm beneath Cornolle’s neck and pushes her shoulder down on the windpipe for a one-armed arm-triangle choke, keeping Cornolle stuck on her back with no escape. Rosa stifles Cornolle from getting out, following her every twist and turn with the proper counter to remain on top. Cornolle tries to kick off with upkicks, and even lands an illegal one as Hatley lightly admonishes her for this. Rosa sits on top of her foe, bopping her with hammerfists until Cornolle turns to her side. Rosa tries for some kind of choke as she wraps her arms around the Frenchwoman, and she lets Cornolle turn over so she can work her over with punches. Rosa continues swinging, landing some to the back of the head as she turns it up in the last seconds. When time expires, the only question will be whether Rosa earned 10-8 scores in Rounds 2, 3 or both. The Brazilian keeps her decision streak intact, having gone the distance in all 12 of her UFC outings.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rosa (29-28 Rosa)
Chris Laporte scores the round: 10-8 Rosa (29-27 Rosa)
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Rosa (29-28 Rosa)
The Official Result
Karol Rosa def. Nora Cornolle via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-27, 29-27)
Connor picks Rosa, noting that Cornolle's only effective tool is clinch striking, and Rosa should be able to avoid that by using her range and volume. He acknowledges Rosa's inconsistency but believes even on a bad night she can outwork Cornolle, who has a very narrow path to victory.
Zane also picks Rosa, emphasizing that Cornolle's game is one-dimensional and Rosa has the tools to keep the fight at range. He notes that only Jacqueline Cavalcanti has beaten Cornolle by fighting technically at distance, and Rosa can replicate that. Zane warns that Rosa could fall into Cornolle's clinch, but believes she is unlikely to get out-wrestled or out-paced.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nora Cornolle | 0 | 8 of 12 | 66% | 24 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 1:33 |
| Hailey Cowan | 0 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 19 of 28 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 4:24 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nora Cornolle | 0 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 18 of 23 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:14 |
| Hailey Cowan | 0 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 17 of 23 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:24 | |
| 2 | Nora Cornolle | 0 | 5 of 7 | 71% | 6 of 9 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 1:19 |
| Hailey Cowan | 0 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 2 of 5 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nora Cornolle | 8 of 12 | 66% | 5 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 9 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Hailey Cowan | 3 of 7 | 42% | 2 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nora Cornolle | 3 of 5 | 60% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Hailey Cowan | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | |
| 2 | Nora Cornolle | 5 of 7 | 71% | 4 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 4 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Hailey Cowan | 1 of 4 | 25% | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Daniel Levi notes that Nora Cornolle tapped out Hailey Cowan. He mentions Cowan did well in the first round with a takedown and control, but slowed down in the third, allowing Cornolle to take her back and get the submission.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacqueline Cavalcanti | 0 | 54 of 114 | 47% | 80 of 156 | 1 of 9 | 11% | 0 | 0 | 3:56 |
| Nora Cornolle | 0 | 54 of 154 | 35% | 87 of 194 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 1:09 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jacqueline Cavalcanti | 0 | 16 of 27 | 59% | 29 of 48 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:41 |
| Nora Cornolle | 0 | 11 of 43 | 25% | 25 of 60 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:34 | |
| 2 | Jacqueline Cavalcanti | 0 | 17 of 32 | 53% | 29 of 50 | 0 of 5 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:51 |
| Nora Cornolle | 0 | 13 of 41 | 31% | 24 of 54 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:27 | |
| 3 | Jacqueline Cavalcanti | 0 | 21 of 55 | 38% | 22 of 58 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
| Nora Cornolle | 0 | 30 of 70 | 42% | 38 of 80 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacqueline Cavalcanti | 54 of 114 | 47% | 15 of 65 | 17 of 23 | 22 of 26 | 41 of 95 | 13 of 19 | 0 of 0 |
| Nora Cornolle | 54 of 154 | 35% | 28 of 117 | 12 of 15 | 14 of 22 | 48 of 146 | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jacqueline Cavalcanti | 16 of 27 | 59% | 7 of 17 | 2 of 3 | 7 of 7 | 13 of 22 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Nora Cornolle | 11 of 43 | 25% | 1 of 28 | 4 of 4 | 6 of 11 | 11 of 42 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Jacqueline Cavalcanti | 17 of 32 | 53% | 2 of 14 | 10 of 11 | 5 of 7 | 10 of 24 | 7 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
| Nora Cornolle | 13 of 41 | 31% | 8 of 34 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 4 | 10 of 37 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Jacqueline Cavalcanti | 21 of 55 | 38% | 6 of 34 | 5 of 9 | 10 of 12 | 18 of 49 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Nora Cornolle | 30 of 70 | 42% | 19 of 55 | 6 of 8 | 5 of 7 | 27 of 67 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
It’s no time like the present to move to the next fight, which comes at the 135-pound weight class in a wide-open division. A pair of ladies with two wins in the promotion will aim for win no. 3, with Cavalcanti (7-1, 2-0 UFC) returning from a quick turnaround against home country Cornolle (8-1, 2-0 UFC). While the woman from Portugal is currently riding a five-fight win streak, the local Cornolle has not tasted defeat since her pro debut—which came against Cavalcanti—and is flying high. Referee Christophe Chapuis takes charge of the cage, and he starts the rematch as the two women touch gloves. Cornolle stays on the outside while Cavalcanti is in the middle, and she pecks at her foe with a few low kicks. Cavalcanti responds in kind, and they dart in at one another with single jabs. Cavalcanti looks for a right hand over the top when a leg kick is aimed at her, and she continues to work the Frenchwoman’s lead leg over with her shin. Another leg kick from Cornolle is answered with an overhand right, but it is a bit too slow to get to her. Cornolle ducks and reaches her way in, only to find herself out of range. Cavalcanti jams a hard low kick on the front wheel, and she checks a kick that comes back her way. Cornolle reaches her foe with a winging right hand, using this strike to close the distance and wrap her arms around Cavalcanti’s waist. Cavalcanti leans her head against the cage as Cornolle hangs on from behind her, with the woman from France pursuing a level change. When Cavalcanti stands her up, Cornolle dings her with a pair of sneaky elbows and two knees. The third knee from Cornolle allows her to lift her opponent and chuck her to the floor, where she is stuck in an odd position until she steps all the way over to full mount. Cavalcanti rolls her over and finds herself in armbar danger, so she stands back up and stars slapping Cornolle’s legs with kicks. Cornolle responds with axe kicks, so Cavalcanti does the same. When “Wonder” works her way back up, Cavalcanti walks her down and beans her with a pair of punches. Cornolle tosses out a naked leg kick, and two more fists fly at her mug. Cavalcanti chains several punches together as a head kick brushes past her shoulder, and Cornolle tries a second high kick from up close. Cavalcanti pays it no mind, walking through a high knee to put her hands on her opponent until the bell sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Cavalcanti
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Cornolle
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Cavalcanti
Round 2
Cavalcanti deploys her same game plan to start the second round, claiming the center of the cage while slowly advancing. Cavalcanti picks at her adversary with kicks, avoiding a wheel kick and landing a right hand over the top. Cornolle connects with a left hand, and she has a head kick come up short of the mark. Cavalcanti keeps crowding her, and they trade low kicks. A high kick from Cornolle gets closer than before, whipping it up in close proximity. She appears to celebrate her work a little too long, as Cavalcanti rings her bell with a right hand down the middle. The power punches from the woman born in Brazil but now a Portuguese local do serious damage, and Cornolle wobbles and bounces off the fence. Cavalcanti stays composed as she traps Cornolle against the wire, ringing her bell with another big right, and Cornolle bends over and has to shake it off. To save her composure, the Frenchwoman changes levels and succeeds in tripping Cavalcanti’s legs out. Cavalcanti climbs back up, and she grabs the fence to keep herself from getting mat returned as Chapuis slaps her hand. Cornolle stays tightly pressed to her opponent, chipping away with knees and dirty boxing until Cavalcanti spins her about. Cornolle uses a knee to get a bit of space, and she fires off a head kick from up close to break away. Cavalcanti shrugs it off and keeps the pressure fully on “Wonder,” and she stuffs a takedown but cannot stop Cornolle from grabbing her. Cornolle opens up with a number of knees from up close as she clinches, continuing this until the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Cavalcanti
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Cavalcanti
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Cavalcanti
Round 3
The bantamweights are lathered up for five more minutes of combat, and Cavalcanti leads off the round where she prefers, in the center slowly spreading her way towards the cage to back her opponent up. Cavalcanti uses her jabs to keep a safe range, but Cornolle steps in to break that up momentarily with a hard right elbow. Cavalcanti no-sells it and hammers Cornolle’s front leg with a kick, and she leans back to dodge a head kick. Cavalcanti checks a kick as Cornolle staggers back, and she avoids a high kick and a spinning back fist while sneaking in an overhand right. Cornolle shoots in but cannot get to the hips, settling for a clinch and a knee to the breadbasket. Cavalcanti frames off with an elbow to split up, and she shakes her arms out. Cavalcanti tries to pin a one-two on the chin, and a follow-up right reaches its intended target. Cornolle responds with a head kick that slaps off the guard, and she gets marked up with a right hand that shakes up her balance. Cavalcanti’s right finds its home once more, not letting the head kick counter get to her, and she pushes off another clinch setup. Cavalcanti stalks the Frenchwoman down, ignoring a high kick to stretch out with three punches. The crowd attempts to inspire their fighter with two minutes left, and she channels their energy to explode into a slugfest. Cavalcanti stands her ground and knocks her back, and Cornolle shrugs at her as if to say that Cavalcanti’s blows do not hurt her. When Cavalcanti connects hard, Cornolle turns around and shouts something at her own team, which allows Cavalcanti to hit her again. Cornolle gathers herself, and Cavalcanti reaches a right hand that misses the mark when “Wonder” attacks the hips. Cornolle hangs on and mashes her elbow on Cavalcanti’s face, and Cavalcanti bursts out of the tie-up and boots Cornolle in the belly. Cornolle again waves her own, and Cavalcanti obliges, lobbing punches, elbows and kicks at her until the final bell rings.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Cavalcanti (30-27 Cavalcanti)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Cavalcanti (29-28 Cavalcanti)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Cavalcanti (30-27 Cavalcanti)
The Official Result
Jacqueline Cavalcanti def. Nora Cornolle via Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Nora Cornolle despite acknowledging Jacob's strong disagreement. He argues that Nora's forward pressure and busy striking will be effective against Jacqueline, who tends to back up. He believes Jacqueline's split decision win over Josiane Nunes was questionable and that Nora's aggression will earn her rounds. However, he is not confident enough to bet on Nora straight up, but considers betting the +3.5 spread if available.
Big Brady picks the underdog Nora Cornolle, noting she has shown rapid improvement and looked impressive in her last fight against Melissa Mullins. He thinks the fight will be close and go to decision, with Cornolle having home-field advantage in Paris. He is not high on either fighter but sees value in the dog.
Cody picks Cornolle as an underdog, citing the hometown advantage and the fact that both are strikers. He notes that Cavalcanti's recent win over Josiane Nunes was a close split decision, and Cornolle has shown high volume when not taken down. He expects a close fight that could go Cornolle's way via split decision.
Connor agrees, noting that Cavalcanti is technical enough and has a bright future. He was impressed by her performance against Nunes and thinks she will be able to out-strike Cornolle, who relies on clinch work. Connor expects Cavalcanti to win decisively.
Daniel Vreeland picks Jacqueline Cavalcanti to win, but is not confident at the price. He thinks Cavalcanti is the more polished striker and should win at distance, but notes Cornolle has power and can steal moments. He mentions Cornolle's improvements and the home crowd, but believes Cavalcanti's volume and technique will earn a decision.
JP picks Jacqueline Cavalcanti because she has a reach advantage and has fought Nora Cornolle before, winning by decision. He notes Cornolle is a wild striker with power but Cavalcanti's volume should win her the fight. He also mentions Cavalcanti is younger at 27 vs Cornolle's 34, and he is fading older fighters.
Paul switches to Cornolle after discussion, citing the CF model and the fact that Cavalcanti is on short notice and fought a month ago. He notes that Cornolle has good volume and that the fight being in France could lead to a favorable decision. He expects a close striking match that Cornolle might win.
The MMA Guru picks Nora Cornolle over Jacqueline Cavalcanti, citing Cavalcanti's short-notice turnaround as a red flag. He notes that Cavalcanti fought a month ago and usually fights twice a year, while Cornolle was preparing for a bigger fight. He believes Cornolle is more prepared and will win despite similar skill levels.
Zane thinks Cavalcanti will win the rematch because she is a more consistent striker and has improved since their first fight, where she dominated Cornolle. He notes that Cavalcanti is fundamental and handled pressure well against Josiane Nunes. Cornolle's only path is clinch work, but Cavalcanti should be able to out-strike her.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nora Cornolle | 0 | 11 of 24 | 45% | 13 of 28 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 5:20 |
| Melissa Mullins | 1 | 36 of 51 | 70% | 60 of 83 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:30 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nora Cornolle | 0 | 7 of 17 | 41% | 8 of 20 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 3:22 |
| Melissa Mullins | 0 | 19 of 28 | 67% | 30 of 45 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:15 | |
| 2 | Nora Cornolle | 0 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 5 of 8 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:58 |
| Melissa Mullins | 1 | 17 of 23 | 73% | 30 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nora Cornolle | 11 of 24 | 45% | 9 of 21 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 21 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Melissa Mullins | 36 of 51 | 70% | 17 of 28 | 13 of 17 | 6 of 6 | 19 of 29 | 15 of 20 | 2 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nora Cornolle | 7 of 17 | 41% | 6 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 15 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Melissa Mullins | 19 of 28 | 67% | 9 of 15 | 8 of 11 | 2 of 2 | 10 of 15 | 9 of 13 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Nora Cornolle | 4 of 7 | 57% | 3 of 5 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Melissa Mullins | 17 of 23 | 73% | 8 of 13 | 5 of 6 | 4 of 4 | 9 of 14 | 6 of 7 | 2 of 2 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Dixon (-360), Cornolle (+285)
Round 1
Consider tonight’s event a dress rehearsal of next week’s gala event of UFC 300. The UFC will trot out 12 pairs of combatants inside of the UFC Apex to keep the seemingly indefinite streak of consecutive weekends going. It all begins with an international catchweight contest, as both fighters failed to make weight and the formerly bantamweight bout still stayed together. France’s Cornolle (7-1, 1-0 UFC) eclipsed the weight limit by 2.5 pounds while unbeaten Brit Mullins (6-0, 2-0 UFC) surpassed the 136-pound cap by two pounds herself. Fines likely went straight to the commission and promotion instead of to one another, but referee Chris Tognoni almost certainly did not get a bump in pay because of it. The two women, glad to still be fighting tonight, tap their gloves together. Cornolle starts right out of the gate throwing hands, and she gets Mullins’ attention very quickly. Mullins throws back with an overhand right that scores, but Cornolle is not concerned as she continues to swing. Cornolle double jabs her way in and follows it with two heavy right hands, forcing the Brit to press her up against the wall to slow things down. Cornolle muscles her way around and away from the fencing, and she sneaks in a short strike before Mullins drags her over to the other side of the Octagon. Mullins grinds and brings up a few knees to the thigh to stay busy in her position, and she uses a body lock to wrench Cornolle down to the mat. Mullins moves from half guard on one side to the other, with Cornolle preventing her from claiming full mount. Mullins stays heavy on top and tries to pin Cornolle’s elbow down, but Cornolle explodes and turns “No Mess” over. Mullins stands up, giving up her back, and Cornolle cannot keep her grounded or do anything with the position so she lets it go. Back in striking range, Cornolle lands a solid body kick after a few punches, forcing Mullins to rush at her and clinch again. Mullins has another takedown effort thwarted, and she works short elbows and knees on the inside. Mullins gives one back but takes several from the other end along with an elbow to end the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Cornolle
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Mullins
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Cornolle
Round 2
There is a clap of hands to open the second round, and Mullins comes out of her corner as if she had a fire lit in her belly. Mullins strikes her way into a clinch situation, stifling the Frenchwoman’s offense early. Cornolle turns her about and elbows her, and Mullins spins her back around to push her back to the wire. Mullins keeps her jammed up as time ticks off the clock with little to show for it, with Mullins opting for control over any sort of effective offense. As the lack of action continues, the commentary booth harangues both women about failing to make weight. Cornolle eventually fights her way out and smacks her opponent with elbows and knees. Mullins measures her way in with a straight left hand, and Cornolle rebounds off with a body kick and two punches up top.
Cornolle drives a knee to the liver, and Mullins bends over, compromised from the body blow. Cornolle watches Mullins fold, and she boots her upside the head with her foot. Mullins wobbles back to the wall, trying to keep herself in the game, but Cornolle kicks her in the head again to force Mullins to turn around and physically surrender. As soon as Mullins drops to her knees, totally defeated, Tognoni steps in to save her from any further punishment.
Just like that, Mullins 0 has disintegrated, and Cornolle may be a ranked competitor at bantamweight next week despite missing weight.
The Official Result
Nora Cornolle def. Melissa Mullins R2 3:06 via TKO (Knee to the Body and Head Kicks)
Angelo picks Melissa Mullins because she is the more well-rounded fighter with takedowns if needed, and she showed she can get dropped but get back up and stay tough. He notes that Nora Cornolle is dangerous early but has terrible takedown defense and poor cardio. He cannot pick Nora hoping for an early knockout when she can't keep the fight standing. He advises not to spend money on this fight.
Big Brady picks Melissa Mullins to win by TKO in the second round. He notes that Mullins has a strong ground game and vicious ground and pound, while Cornolle has a hole in her takedown defense and ground game, as shown in her last fight against Joselyn Edwards where she was taken down repeatedly. Brady believes Mullins will get the fight to the mat and finish.
Cody also picks Mullins but is not enthusiastic. He notes Mullins's slow starts but her ability to build momentum and her strong top control. He thinks Cornolle is a low-volume fighter who was outwrestled by Joselyne Edwards. Cody believes Mullins's forward pressure and grappling will be too much, but the price is prohibitive.
Daniel Vreeland confidently picks Melissa Mullins, citing her dominant grappling and resilience. He notes Mullins has overcome bad spots on the feet, as seen in the fight against 'Russian Ronda', and can finish fights once she gets takedowns. Vreeland warns that if Mullins tries to stand and bang with Cornolle, it could be trouble, but expects her to stick to her game plan of taking the fight to the mat.
Mullins is a better fighter overall with dominant grappling and top control. Cornolle has holes in her game, especially takedown defense, as seen against Edwards. Mullins will control positions and likely find a TKO or submission in the second or third round.
Paul picks Mullins but hates the price. He notes Mullins is a slow starter but has great durability and top pressure, and that she takes over in rounds 2 and 3. He thinks Cornolle is a low-volume fighter who was arguably gifted a decision in her UFC debut. Paul suggests live betting Mullins after round 1 or taking her by decision.
The host dismisses both fighters as low-level, calling it an embarrassment to watch. He uses a mayonnaise bottle flip to decide, landing on Melissa Mullins. He notes she is younger and has more reach, but his reasoning is flippant and not serious.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nora Cornolle | 0 | 20 of 35 | 57% | 37 of 58 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:23 |
| Joselyne Edwards | 0 | 19 of 30 | 63% | 44 of 63 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 4:33 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nora Cornolle | 0 | 16 of 29 | 55% | 28 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:23 |
| Joselyne Edwards | 0 | 5 of 13 | 38% | 26 of 39 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:35 | |
| 2 | Nora Cornolle | 0 | 4 of 6 | 66% | 9 of 12 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Joselyne Edwards | 0 | 14 of 17 | 82% | 18 of 24 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 1:58 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nora Cornolle | 20 of 35 | 57% | 9 of 22 | 6 of 7 | 5 of 6 | 8 of 19 | 12 of 16 | 0 of 0 |
| Joselyne Edwards | 19 of 30 | 63% | 17 of 24 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 13 | 2 of 4 | 13 of 13 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nora Cornolle | 16 of 29 | 55% | 9 of 20 | 6 of 7 | 1 of 2 | 4 of 13 | 12 of 16 | 0 of 0 |
| Joselyne Edwards | 5 of 13 | 38% | 4 of 10 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 10 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Nora Cornolle | 4 of 6 | 66% | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 4 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Joselyne Edwards | 14 of 17 | 82% | 13 of 14 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 13 of 13 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Jacob Montalvo is the referee. A hard right snaps Edwards’ head back to kick off the action. Cornolle punches forward and the bantamweights clinch. Edwards powers her foe to the fence. Cornolle brings a knee up and reverses position. Edwards regains control as the clinch battle continues. Edwards stays busy with some short knees and punches. Cornolle brings another knee up to Edwards’ head. Edwards is working hard for the takedown, but Cornolle defends, punishing the Panama native with an elbow and a series of knees. Edwards shoves Cornolle into the wire again, but she still isn’t having iany luck getting the fight to the mat. In fact, it’s Cornolle who is doing well to punish Edwards with knees to the head despite having her back to the fence. They go back to range, and Edwards cracks Cornolle with a straight shot. A glancing spinning backfist lands for Edwards, and Cornolle counters with one of her own, missing the mark. Edwards forces the clinch again, but Cornolle ends the round landing knees to the body.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Cornolle
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Cornolle
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Cornolle
Round 2
Cornolle circles on the outside early. The Frenchwoman lands a leg kick. Another leg kcik for Cornolle, but Edwards times a takedown perfectly. Cornolle gets to a knee against the fence, then stands. Edwards is working toward the back, and she’s got one hook in. Cornolle defends that, but Edwards keeps her opponent pressed into the cage. Cornolle still is able to land offense. Edwards slams Cornolle to the mat, and she appears to be out or injured after landing directly on her right shoulder. Edwards unloads with shots as she looks toward the referee, but no stoppage is coming yet. As a dazed Cornolle attempts to return to her feet and survive, Edwards locks in a rear-naked choke.
Cornolle falls back to the mat and Edwards applies the squeeze. Moments later, Cornolle taps out, giving Edwards her fourth consecutive finish in UFC competition.
Cornolle remains down on the mat after the stoppage, and it appears that she suffered a right shoulder injury as a result of the slam.
The Official Result
Joselyne Edwards def. Nora Cornolle via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R2 2:44
Angelo picks Nora Cornolle as an underdog, liking her aggression and ability to come forward. He notes Joselyne Edwards has no takedown defense and doesn't know what to do on the ground. The only concern is Nora's cardio, as she's only seen the third round once. He thinks Nora can get the win if she works in takedowns.
Big Brady is hesitant but picks Cornolle, citing Edwards' poor takedown defense and get-up game. He notes Cornolle's grappling threat and the hometown advantage in Paris. However, he acknowledges Edwards has faced better competition and that Cornolle's level of opposition is low. He expects a close, greasy decision.
Cody picks Edwards based on experience (6 UFC fights) and volume. He notes Cornolle has a Muay Thai background but has fought low-level competition. Edwards lands high volume (164 strikes vs Pasquale, 101 vs Kim) and is strong in the clinch. However, the fight is close and could be subjective; Cody expects a decision and likes the over 2.5 rounds. He is not confident due to potential French judge bias.
Daniel Levi picks Joselyne Edwards, citing her experience, volume striking, and size advantage. He notes that Edwards has outstruck every UFC opponent except one and that Cornolle is a 33-year-old debutant who turned pro in 2021. Levi believes Cornolle's level of competition has been very low and that Edwards should be able to outpoint her. He is not confident enough to bet but leans Edwards.
I'm leaning with Edwards. She has good lateral movement and kicks to keep Cornolle at range. Cornolle is aggressive but has shown vulnerability when hit and may have cardio issues. Edwards has improved takedown defense and should be able to keep the fight standing. I expect Edwards to win by decision.
Paul picks Edwards but won't bet the fight due to judge uncertainty. He likes Edwards over 67.5 significant strikes on prize picks, noting she has cleared that number in multiple fights. He expects a striking affair and thinks Edwards' volume will be enough.
The MMA Guru picks Joselyne Edwards, despite her being the favorite, because he believes Nora Cornolle's regional tape shows poor technique and reliance on physicality. He notes Edwards has a massive frame advantage and has improved recently, while Cornolle looked untechnical. He predicts Edwards wins by decision.
Melissa Mullins - Fight History
Angelo picks Luana Carolina because she is the better striker with solid takedown defense (68%). He notes Melissa Mullins is too hittable with no head movement and her offensive wrestling is not great. He believes Luana should win everywhere and is surprised she is the underdog, expecting the line to flip.
Big Brady picks Melissa Mullins despite her terrible fight IQ, noting that she has a massive advantage on the ground with nasty ground and pound. He points out that Luana Carolina has been taken down in her last eight fights and that Mullins should be able to take her down and control her. However, he is hesitant because Mullins often refuses to wrestle and instead tests her striking, as seen in her last fight. He predicts a decision win for Mullins.
Cody agrees, noting Mullins' weight misses and lack of heart. He expects Carolina to win.
Connor picks Melissa Mullins, agreeing that you take the grappler in this matchup. He notes that Mullins is relentlessly aggressive with takedowns and ground control, while Carolina is a volume striker who can be beaten by grappling. Connor also advises against betting on this fight.
Daniel Vreeland picks Luana Carolina to win by decision. He cites her experience and striking prowess, but acknowledges she can be taken down. He expects Carolina to get back to her feet and outpoint Mullins over three rounds.
Daniel leans Carolina due to her experience and ability to weasel decisions. He notes Mullins has head-scratching moments and can be finished. However, he acknowledges it's women's MMA and the British fighter might have crowd support.
James picks Luana Carolina but is not confident. He thinks Carolina is the better striker and has more UFC experience, but her takedown defense is a concern. He notes that Mullins has poor fight IQ and may not shoot takedowns consistently. He predicts a decision win for Carolina.
The host is hesitant but leans towards Luana Carolina. He notes that Mullins has a grappling advantage but questions whether she will actually wrestle after failing to do so in her last fight. He believes Carolina's striking edge and improved defensive grappling could lead to a decision win. However, he admits he has underrated Carolina in the past and sees this as a potential breakout performance.
Paul picks Carolina, citing Mullins' poor durability and tendency to quit. He expects Carolina to outwork and finish Mullins.
The MMA Guru picks Melissa Mullins over Luana Carolina, though he admits neither fighter has been impressive. He notes Mullins is younger and may show more improvement fight to fight, while Carolina hasn't done much lately and has lost to lower-level opponents. He seems uncertain but goes with Mullins.
Zane picks Melissa Mullins, reasoning that in a matchup between a relentless grappler (Mullins) and a volume striker (Carolina), you take the grappler who can control the fight. He notes that Mullins is aggressive with takedowns and ground control, but if she can't get takedowns, she's cooked. Zane advises not betting on this fight.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melissa Mullins | 0 | 99 of 223 | 44% | 103 of 228 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Daria Zhelezniakova | 0 | 64 of 148 | 43% | 77 of 165 | 3 of 6 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:55 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melissa Mullins | 0 | 44 of 95 | 46% | 46 of 98 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Daria Zhelezniakova | 0 | 26 of 68 | 38% | 33 of 77 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:42 | |
| 2 | Melissa Mullins | 0 | 35 of 65 | 53% | 35 of 65 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Daria Zhelezniakova | 0 | 20 of 40 | 50% | 25 of 46 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:08 | |
| 3 | Melissa Mullins | 0 | 20 of 63 | 31% | 22 of 65 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Daria Zhelezniakova | 0 | 18 of 40 | 45% | 19 of 42 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:05 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melissa Mullins | 99 of 223 | 44% | 67 of 172 | 32 of 51 | 0 of 0 | 98 of 220 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Daria Zhelezniakova | 64 of 148 | 43% | 43 of 124 | 12 of 14 | 9 of 10 | 61 of 144 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melissa Mullins | 44 of 95 | 46% | 37 of 81 | 7 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 43 of 93 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Daria Zhelezniakova | 26 of 68 | 38% | 21 of 63 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 26 of 67 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | |
| 2 | Melissa Mullins | 35 of 65 | 53% | 19 of 45 | 16 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 35 of 65 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Daria Zhelezniakova | 20 of 40 | 50% | 14 of 33 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 4 | 20 of 40 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Melissa Mullins | 20 of 63 | 31% | 11 of 46 | 9 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 20 of 62 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Daria Zhelezniakova | 18 of 40 | 45% | 8 of 28 | 6 of 8 | 4 of 4 | 15 of 37 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Mullins (-278), Zheleznyakova (+225)
Round 1
With their bout already hinted at in the previous match, Mullins (7-1, 2-1 UFC) and Zheleznyakova (9-2, 1-1 UFC) will run back a match from Ares 9 in 2022 where Mullins pulled off the last-second TKO that some referees might have let go to the bell. Any doubt is about to be removed from the equation as these two bantamweights rematch, and referee Rich Mitchell is on top of the action. Gloves are quickly touched, but Zheleznyakova wants to get her hands on her opponent and does just that immediately. The Russian goes to the head and body, and she beats Mullins to the punch with a straight right hand when splitting apart. Zheleznyakova stings Mullins with a combination, and Mullins’ face is red and taking shots in a hurry. Mullins shoots desperately after getting hurt, and Zheleznyakova shoves her away and continues punching her in the face. Zheleznyakova disengages and finds her way forward with two looping hooks. Mullins catches Zheleznyakova on her way in with a right hand that turns Zheleznyakova’s nose red, but Mullins’ whole face is already crimson. Zheleznyakova swings a right hand that buzzes the jaw, and she goes to the body after to keep things flowing. Mullins pushes her away with a front kick, and she drills Zheleznyakova with a left hand but gets caught on the way back. Both women show facial damage after less than half a round, and Mullins stuns her opponent with a crisp right hand. Mullins stands in the pocket and nails Zheleznyakova with an uppercut, backing her opponent up and rifling off a left hand. Zheleznyakova circles and swings hard, knocking Mullins’ head around but not discouraging her from entering. Three more punches from Zheleznyakova connect clean on the Brit’s jaw, which still holds up under fire. Mullins meanders forward, bounding away from a few punches but sitting down on her right hand. Zheleznyakova misses on a few blitzes, and Mullins backs her off with a clean jab. Mullins puts three hands on her foe, dislodging Zheleznyakova’s gumshield. Mitchell grabs it and hands it back to the women, who take a moment to figure out who lost it. Zheleznyakova replaces it, and Mullins knocks it right back out on the restart. Mullins bullies her opponent to the floor, standing in half guard and sitting down into mount. Mullins snatches up an armbar in a moment, rolling over to lock it down. Zheleznyakova stays tight to stop the submission from hyperextending her limb, making it to the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Mullins
Christian Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Mullins
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Mullins
Round 2
The women tap their gloves together, and they proceed to trade jabs. Mullins pushes out a front kick to the ribs, staying out of range from the Russian’s long punches. Mullins stays in the center of the cage, hopping out of the way of the offense of her foe and clipping Zheleznyakova with a right hand. The right hand causes immediate damage, as Zheleznyakova’s left eye starts swelling up fast. Zheleznyakova tries to pay her back with an overhand right, but it is not nearly as powerful. Mullins flicks out her jab, and she hammers the front leg with a kick. Zheleznyakova crashes in swinging, and Mullins stands her ground and pops her with an overhand right. When Mullins goes to the lead leg again, she stumbles back and inadvertently avoids the counters soaring past her. They jab at one another, and Mullins eventually follows one with a two. Zheleznyakova swings wide a few times, her mouth wide open, and she finds her bearings and tags Mullins with a trio of punches. Zheleznyakova reaches out with a right hand and follows with a left on the jaw, and she backs Mullins off with a few punches and appears to frazzle Mullins with a body shot, who bends over. Zheleznyakova springs into action, spraying punches every which way including some towards Mullins. As Zheleznyakova lays into her opponent, Mullins grits her teeth and tackles the Russian to the mat. Zheleznyakova keeps her arms wrapped around Mullins to shut down any offense, and Mullins explodes with 15 seconds left to get into top position. The round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Zheleznyakova
Christian Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Zheleznyakova
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Zheleznyakova
Round 3
The bantamweights touch ‘em up as they reach the last round, and jabs from both sides come again to start off. Zheleznyakova does not bite on a faked takedown effort, and she swings with a left hook but misses the mark. Zheleznyakova strings four punches together, rattling around her rival’s head, and she does not eat any counter as Mullins’ offense dwindles. Zheleznyakova jabs the body and goes upstairs with a right hand, and Mullins sees another one of those combos coming and parries it. Zheleznyakova mixes it up with a right to the body and a left to the dome, and Mullins defends by keeping her elbow up hoping that the Russian will walk into it. Mullins kicks her opponent’s front leg a single time, with Zheleznyakova appearing to have a second wind as she is the one pushing the pace, her face a swollen and busted mess. Mullins’ visage is not any better, and Zheleznyakova pins two punches on it to make it worse. The Brit connects with a body kick and then targets the sternum with the ball of her foot, and jumps to anticipate a strike that does not come. The jabs open up Mullins’ nose, which might be leaking from both nostrils. Mullins drops down for a single, and Zheleznyakova turns to the side and is dragged back down. Zheleznyakova defends a takedown by grabbing the fence, and Mitchell yells at her. The foul saving her from going down, she is able to bound off her knees instead and keep her back to the fence. Zheleznyakova pushes her away with 45 seconds to spare, and she gets right in Mullins’ face with her jabs and twos. The two ladies trade it out until the final horn, and they embrace after 15 minutes of bloody combat.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Zheleznyakova (29-28 Zheleznyakova)
Christian Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Mullins (29-28 Mullins)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Mullins (29-28 Mullins)
The Official Result
Darya Zheleznyakova def. Melissa Mullins via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Angelo picks Melissa Mullins, but with caveats. He notes that Melissa is not great but should win, and that Daria has questionable takedown defense. He mentions that Melissa won their first fight by submission after losing on the feet, but both have evolved. He trusts Melissa more due to recent activity, but acknowledges Daria's striking power and the risk of a finish.
Big Brady picks Melissa Mullins, noting her vicious ground and pound and grappling advantage. He acknowledges that Zheleznyakova was winning the first fight on the feet before Mullins got a late takedown and TKO. He worries about Mullins getting hit but thinks one takedown could be enough. He predicts Mullins wins by second-round TKO, as she prefers TKOs over submissions.
The host notes this is a rematch from November 2023 where Mullins battered Zheleznyakova from top position and got a first-round stoppage. He doesn't see this fight going any differently and expects Mullins to get a TKO within two rounds.
The MMA Guru picks Melissa Mullins, citing her aggressive pace and ground-and-pound. He criticizes Daria Zheleznyakova's lack of skill and notes her striking on the back foot is not sustainable. He predicts a second or third round TKO via ground-and-pound for Mullins.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melissa Mullins | 0 | 38 of 60 | 63% | 54 of 85 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 2:46 |
| Klaudia Syguła | 0 | 12 of 32 | 37% | 22 of 42 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:04 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melissa Mullins | 0 | 12 of 25 | 48% | 17 of 32 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:42 |
| Klaudia Syguła | 0 | 9 of 21 | 42% | 19 of 31 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:04 | |
| 2 | Melissa Mullins | 0 | 26 of 35 | 74% | 37 of 53 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:04 |
| Klaudia Syguła | 0 | 3 of 11 | 27% | 3 of 11 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melissa Mullins | 38 of 60 | 63% | 36 of 58 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 29 of 40 |
| Klaudia Syguła | 12 of 32 | 37% | 5 of 23 | 1 of 2 | 6 of 7 | 12 of 32 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melissa Mullins | 12 of 25 | 48% | 11 of 24 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 13 |
| Klaudia Syguła | 9 of 21 | 42% | 3 of 13 | 1 of 2 | 5 of 6 | 9 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Melissa Mullins | 26 of 35 | 74% | 25 of 34 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 21 of 27 |
| Klaudia Syguła | 3 of 11 | 27% | 2 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Mullins (-238), Sygula (+195)
Round 1
A lot has been said about this UFC Vegas 100 card, one that has transformed significantly on fight week and diminished in the eyes of most spectators. They’re not wrong, but they are viewing it in the incorrect lens: rather than a standalone slate of combat, it should be considered the early, distant appetizers to UFC 309 next week. That might help. The first of this palate-warming platter of matchups comes outside of standard weight classes, because Mullins (6-1, 1-1 UFC) could not hit the 136-pound limit properly. She surrenders 20% of her earnings to debuting Polishwoman Sygula (6-1, 0-0 UFC) in an all-Euro battle of *bantamweights. Referee Chris Tognoni will keep things on the up-and-up going forward, and he clocks the ladies in as they bump fists. Sygula paws out a few punches and a kick while Mullins walks her down, and she gets off another leg kick as she finds suitable targets. Sygula’s reach advantage allows her to peck at her opponent in the early going, with Mullins unwilling to pull the trigger in the first minute beyond some range-finders. A half-hearted body kick comes from the woman from Poland, and she lets her hands go behind it. A stern left hand marks up Mullins’ right cheek, who walks forward and pitches uppercuts. Sygula jabs the head and body, springing away from a low kick and jumping forward to deposit one and wing a right hand. The two clash together, resulting in a body lock takedown attempt for Sygula. She hunts for trips and tries to get her foe down, but Mullins keeps her balance by hopping back and forth to put her back to the cage. Mullins turns Sygula’s momentum against her, hitting a head-and-arm throw to dump Sygula on her head, but Sygula is able to climb back to her feet and wrap her arms around Mullins’ waist. Mullins turns the tables, spinning around and pulling off a trip to put Sygula on her back. Mullins lands in half guard, with the Brit maintaining top control rather than looking for anything significantly offensive. Mullins steps over to three-quarter mount to land a single strike, and Sygula drags her back to half guard. Mullins opens up with a few short right hands on the forehead, and when the 10-second clapper sounds, she leaps into mount and pummels Sygula with punches and elbows. As Sygula turns to her stomach, she gets elbowed in the back of the head, and the round ends.
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Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Mullins
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Mullins
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Mullins
Round 2
The women clap hands before engaging, and Sygula wants to trade and trade she does almost immediately. Sygula strings a few punch combinations together, but all this does is open her up to grappling. Mullins ties her up and completes an easy body lock takedown, and this time, she is in mount almost immediately. Mullins drops down a 12-6 elbow—it’s legal, don’t forget—and she starts slugging away.
Sygula turns over, and Mullins controls her right arm to take away a shield. Mullins jackhammers her downed opponent with left hand after unanswered left hand, and the damage begins to mount as she busts Sygula’s nose open. Tognoni implores Sygula to fight back, and Mullins pours it on knowing the finish is right around the corner. Her powerful, effective left hands finish the job, and Tognoni has no choice but to wave the fight off.
Mullins, who is thrilled to bounce back from her first loss in big way, hurries to her corner and breakdances.
The Official Result
Melissa Mullins def. Klaudia Sygula R2 1:20 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo picks Melissa Mullins because she is stronger and more physical, and he believes Klaudia Syguła will not be able to defend takedowns. He notes Mullins has power and is a BJJ world champion, though her takedowns aren't great. He worries about Mullins ending up in the clinch where Syguła can do work, but overall expects Mullins to be too strong. He wishes the line were closer as Mullins is a wild favorite.
Big Brady likes Mullins's path to victory through her top game and ground-and-pound, noting Syguła's low level of competition and poor ground game. He is concerned about Mullins being hittable on the feet but believes she can take Syguła down and do damage. He would not lay -240 but still picks Mullins by third-round TKO.
Cody picks Mullins based on her better competition and ground game, despite her poor UFC debut. He notes Syguła's weak regional record and lack of notable wins. Cody expects Mullins to get the fight to the mat and win, but with low confidence.
Connor picks Mullins, describing her as aggressive with a plan to break opponents down and submit them. He contrasts Syguła as directionless and more guesswork. Connor notes Mullins is a finisher at heart, while Syguła wants a pretty fight but isn't capable. He thinks Mullins will have the first word and win.
Daniel Vreeland picks newcomer Klaudia Syguła as a live dog, noting her striking enthusiasm and potential improvements since her last fight. He questions Melissa Mullins' takedown ability and durability, citing her weight miss and losses. Vreeland believes Syguła can win if she avoids being ground out.
Mullins is expected to showcase better control and takedowns, staying out of Syguła's submission-heavy style. She should grind out a decision win on the scorecards.
Paul is leaning towards Syguła as a dog, citing Mullins' poor performance against Nora Cornolle. He thinks Syguła's striking might be enough if she can avoid takedowns. Paul admits it's a low-confidence pick and is passing on betting it.
The Guru picks Melissa Mullins, citing her grit and takedown ability. He criticizes Klaudia Syguła's poor striking and believes she is only in the UFC because she is attractive. He expects Mullins to mix in takedowns and win by ground and pound or decision.
Zane picks Mullins, agreeing with Connor. He describes Mullins as a fighter who wants to clinch and take the fight to the ground, where she can get aggressive. He notes Syguła has shown better striking but against poor opposition, and when pressed, she clinches like Mullins. Zane thinks Mullins's aggression and drive will prevail.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nora Cornolle | 0 | 11 of 24 | 45% | 13 of 28 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 5:20 |
| Melissa Mullins | 1 | 36 of 51 | 70% | 60 of 83 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:30 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nora Cornolle | 0 | 7 of 17 | 41% | 8 of 20 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 3:22 |
| Melissa Mullins | 0 | 19 of 28 | 67% | 30 of 45 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:15 | |
| 2 | Nora Cornolle | 0 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 5 of 8 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:58 |
| Melissa Mullins | 1 | 17 of 23 | 73% | 30 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nora Cornolle | 11 of 24 | 45% | 9 of 21 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 21 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Melissa Mullins | 36 of 51 | 70% | 17 of 28 | 13 of 17 | 6 of 6 | 19 of 29 | 15 of 20 | 2 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nora Cornolle | 7 of 17 | 41% | 6 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 15 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Melissa Mullins | 19 of 28 | 67% | 9 of 15 | 8 of 11 | 2 of 2 | 10 of 15 | 9 of 13 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Nora Cornolle | 4 of 7 | 57% | 3 of 5 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Melissa Mullins | 17 of 23 | 73% | 8 of 13 | 5 of 6 | 4 of 4 | 9 of 14 | 6 of 7 | 2 of 2 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Dixon (-360), Cornolle (+285)
Round 1
Consider tonight’s event a dress rehearsal of next week’s gala event of UFC 300. The UFC will trot out 12 pairs of combatants inside of the UFC Apex to keep the seemingly indefinite streak of consecutive weekends going. It all begins with an international catchweight contest, as both fighters failed to make weight and the formerly bantamweight bout still stayed together. France’s Cornolle (7-1, 1-0 UFC) eclipsed the weight limit by 2.5 pounds while unbeaten Brit Mullins (6-0, 2-0 UFC) surpassed the 136-pound cap by two pounds herself. Fines likely went straight to the commission and promotion instead of to one another, but referee Chris Tognoni almost certainly did not get a bump in pay because of it. The two women, glad to still be fighting tonight, tap their gloves together. Cornolle starts right out of the gate throwing hands, and she gets Mullins’ attention very quickly. Mullins throws back with an overhand right that scores, but Cornolle is not concerned as she continues to swing. Cornolle double jabs her way in and follows it with two heavy right hands, forcing the Brit to press her up against the wall to slow things down. Cornolle muscles her way around and away from the fencing, and she sneaks in a short strike before Mullins drags her over to the other side of the Octagon. Mullins grinds and brings up a few knees to the thigh to stay busy in her position, and she uses a body lock to wrench Cornolle down to the mat. Mullins moves from half guard on one side to the other, with Cornolle preventing her from claiming full mount. Mullins stays heavy on top and tries to pin Cornolle’s elbow down, but Cornolle explodes and turns “No Mess” over. Mullins stands up, giving up her back, and Cornolle cannot keep her grounded or do anything with the position so she lets it go. Back in striking range, Cornolle lands a solid body kick after a few punches, forcing Mullins to rush at her and clinch again. Mullins has another takedown effort thwarted, and she works short elbows and knees on the inside. Mullins gives one back but takes several from the other end along with an elbow to end the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Cornolle
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Mullins
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Cornolle
Round 2
There is a clap of hands to open the second round, and Mullins comes out of her corner as if she had a fire lit in her belly. Mullins strikes her way into a clinch situation, stifling the Frenchwoman’s offense early. Cornolle turns her about and elbows her, and Mullins spins her back around to push her back to the wire. Mullins keeps her jammed up as time ticks off the clock with little to show for it, with Mullins opting for control over any sort of effective offense. As the lack of action continues, the commentary booth harangues both women about failing to make weight. Cornolle eventually fights her way out and smacks her opponent with elbows and knees. Mullins measures her way in with a straight left hand, and Cornolle rebounds off with a body kick and two punches up top.
Cornolle drives a knee to the liver, and Mullins bends over, compromised from the body blow. Cornolle watches Mullins fold, and she boots her upside the head with her foot. Mullins wobbles back to the wall, trying to keep herself in the game, but Cornolle kicks her in the head again to force Mullins to turn around and physically surrender. As soon as Mullins drops to her knees, totally defeated, Tognoni steps in to save her from any further punishment.
Just like that, Mullins 0 has disintegrated, and Cornolle may be a ranked competitor at bantamweight next week despite missing weight.
The Official Result
Nora Cornolle def. Melissa Mullins R2 3:06 via TKO (Knee to the Body and Head Kicks)
Angelo picks Melissa Mullins because she is the more well-rounded fighter with takedowns if needed, and she showed she can get dropped but get back up and stay tough. He notes that Nora Cornolle is dangerous early but has terrible takedown defense and poor cardio. He cannot pick Nora hoping for an early knockout when she can't keep the fight standing. He advises not to spend money on this fight.
Big Brady picks Melissa Mullins to win by TKO in the second round. He notes that Mullins has a strong ground game and vicious ground and pound, while Cornolle has a hole in her takedown defense and ground game, as shown in her last fight against Joselyn Edwards where she was taken down repeatedly. Brady believes Mullins will get the fight to the mat and finish.
Cody also picks Mullins but is not enthusiastic. He notes Mullins's slow starts but her ability to build momentum and her strong top control. He thinks Cornolle is a low-volume fighter who was outwrestled by Joselyne Edwards. Cody believes Mullins's forward pressure and grappling will be too much, but the price is prohibitive.
Daniel Vreeland confidently picks Melissa Mullins, citing her dominant grappling and resilience. He notes Mullins has overcome bad spots on the feet, as seen in the fight against 'Russian Ronda', and can finish fights once she gets takedowns. Vreeland warns that if Mullins tries to stand and bang with Cornolle, it could be trouble, but expects her to stick to her game plan of taking the fight to the mat.
Mullins is a better fighter overall with dominant grappling and top control. Cornolle has holes in her game, especially takedown defense, as seen against Edwards. Mullins will control positions and likely find a TKO or submission in the second or third round.
Paul picks Mullins but hates the price. He notes Mullins is a slow starter but has great durability and top pressure, and that she takes over in rounds 2 and 3. He thinks Cornolle is a low-volume fighter who was arguably gifted a decision in her UFC debut. Paul suggests live betting Mullins after round 1 or taking her by decision.
The host dismisses both fighters as low-level, calling it an embarrassment to watch. He uses a mayonnaise bottle flip to decide, landing on Melissa Mullins. He notes she is younger and has more reach, but his reasoning is flippant and not serious.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melissa Mullins | 1 | 48 of 108 | 44% | 60 of 126 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 0:50 |
| Irina Alekseeva | 0 | 52 of 95 | 54% | 87 of 148 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 8:15 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melissa Mullins | 1 | 30 of 60 | 50% | 37 of 70 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:39 |
| Irina Alekseeva | 0 | 23 of 37 | 62% | 32 of 54 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:26 | |
| 2 | Melissa Mullins | 0 | 8 of 20 | 40% | 10 of 25 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Irina Alekseeva | 0 | 12 of 21 | 57% | 24 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 3:43 | |
| 3 | Melissa Mullins | 0 | 10 of 28 | 35% | 13 of 31 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:11 |
| Irina Alekseeva | 0 | 17 of 37 | 45% | 31 of 56 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 3:06 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melissa Mullins | 48 of 108 | 44% | 23 of 72 | 2 of 7 | 23 of 29 | 44 of 99 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 5 |
| Irina Alekseeva | 52 of 95 | 54% | 47 of 89 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 42 of 76 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 18 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melissa Mullins | 30 of 60 | 50% | 11 of 35 | 1 of 4 | 18 of 21 | 26 of 51 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 5 |
| Irina Alekseeva | 23 of 37 | 62% | 21 of 35 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 22 of 36 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Melissa Mullins | 8 of 20 | 40% | 2 of 10 | 1 of 2 | 5 of 8 | 8 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Irina Alekseeva | 12 of 21 | 57% | 12 of 20 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 8 | |
| 3 | Melissa Mullins | 10 of 28 | 35% | 10 of 27 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 28 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Irina Alekseeva | 17 of 37 | 45% | 14 of 34 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 27 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 10 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Dixon (-148), Alekseeva (+124)
Round 1
The line moves forward with a women’s bantamweight tilt pitting Alekseeva (5-1, 1-0 UFC) against the undefeated Dixon (5-0, 0-0 UFC). Mark Smith serves as the referee. They touch gloves and get going. Alekseeva hammers away with kicks to the inside and outside of the lead leg. Dixon test the water with her jab, but eats a sweeping left hook. Dixon follows a jab with hooks from both hands. Alekseeva moves forward. Dixon fires a jab through her defenses. Alekseeva lands a knee strike from the clinch, then gets warned for pulling Dixon’s hair. Dixon lands in combination, all set up by her excellent jab. Alekseeva slings powerful but unfocused punches. She steps into a right hand, floors Dixon and jumps into full guard. Alekseeva drops elbows but allows Dixon to get back to her feet. Alekseeva shots on the hips and secures a takedown. Both women have had their moments with a minute left in the round, though the knockdown figures to be the separator. Dixon works her way to the back with ground-and-pound and secures her position with hooks.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Alekseeva
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Alekseeva
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Alekseeva
Round 2
Dixon blocks a head kick, eats an inside leg kick and gets going with the jab again. She doubles up on the punch, then cut loose with power punches. Alekseeva returns to swinging for the fences. Nothing lands. Back in the center of the cage, Dixon times a thudding right hand and then trips the Russian to the floor. She moves immediately to full mount and pounds away with punches, elbows and forearm strikes. Dixon floats to the back and secures position with hooks. She brilliantly uses a half nelson to maintain back control, piles up points with hammerfists and locks in a body triangle. Dixon moves back to mount, connects with an elbow and returns to back control. The newcomer may have found a clear path to victory here.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Dixon
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Dixon
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Dixon
Round 3
Dixon stars the final round with her jab, sneaks in a left hook and avoids a wild spinning backfist. Alekseeva presses forward and nearly surrenders a takedown. She looks exhausted. Dixon connects with a one-two. Alekseeva marches forward almost maniacally with straight punches. Dixon wearing considerable damage but appears to have the upper hand here. Alekseeva scores with a head-and-arm throw but fails to corral Dixon. The Englishwoman scrambles to her feet and secures a takedown of her own, then climbs to full mount. Half a round left. Alekseeva tries to bridge out but wastes valuable energy while doing so and ultimately fails. Dixon settles in mount, applies her ground-and-pound and fights through fatigue. Dixon moves to back control and peppers away with short punches, then threatens the neck. Alekseeva appears to have no fuel left in the tank. Dixon moves back to mount with 30 seconds to go and drops elbows, punches and hammerfists. It looks like Alekseeva will survive, but she eats more shots as the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Dixon (29-28 Dixon)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Dixon (29-28 Dixon)
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Dixon (29-28 Dixon)
The Official Result
Melissa Dixon def. Irina Alekseeva—Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo is confident in Melissa Mullins, praising her impressive striking and composure. He warns that she tends to initiate unnecessary clinches, which could play into Alekseeva's submission game, but he trusts her to keep distance and pick Alekseeva apart on the feet.
Big Brady picks Melissa Mullins to win by third-round TKO. He thinks the fight will be on the mat, where Mullins has good top control and ground-and-pound. He expects Alekseeva to slow down as the fight goes on, allowing Mullins to finish late.
Cody picks Mullins, citing her experience and well-rounded skills. He notes her takedown defense and ability to persevere, as seen in her win over an undefeated fighter. Cody believes Alekseeva is flashy but lacks substance, and that Mullins will take over as the fight goes on.
The host picks Melissa Mullins (referred to as Melissa Dixon) making her UFC debut. He praises her ability to close the pocket, get the fight to the ground, and maintain top control with great cardio. He expects her to finish Alexa in the latter half of the fight as Alexa slows down.
Paul picks Mullins, noting that Alekseeva missed weight in her debut and has not shown much. He believes Mullins has a more well-rounded skill set and that Alekseeva's only path is a quick submission. Paul expects Mullins to win a decision or get a late finish.
The MMA Guru picks Irina Alekseeva as an underdog over Melissa Mullins. He notes that Mullins is an undefeated prospect (5-0) but he doesn't trust undefeated women's prospects in the UFC, especially at age 32 making her debut. He criticizes Mullins' win over a 7-0 opponent, saying she was getting dominated before a premature stoppage. He believes Alekseeva has better standup and clinch strength, and has fought tougher opponents.
Expert Picks (7)
Angelo picks Melissa Mullins because she is the more well-rounded fighter with takedowns if needed, and she showed she can get dropped but get back up and stay tough. He notes that Nora Cornolle is dangerous early but has terrible takedown defense and poor cardio. He cannot pick Nora hoping for an early knockout when she can't keep the fight standing. He advises not to spend money on this fight.
Big Brady picks Melissa Mullins to win by TKO in the second round. He notes that Mullins has a strong ground game and vicious ground and pound, while Cornolle has a hole in her takedown defense and ground game, as shown in her last fight against Joselyn Edwards where she was taken down repeatedly. Brady believes Mullins will get the fight to the mat and finish.
Cody also picks Mullins but is not enthusiastic. He notes Mullins's slow starts but her ability to build momentum and her strong top control. He thinks Cornolle is a low-volume fighter who was outwrestled by Joselyne Edwards. Cody believes Mullins's forward pressure and grappling will be too much, but the price is prohibitive.
Daniel Vreeland confidently picks Melissa Mullins, citing her dominant grappling and resilience. He notes Mullins has overcome bad spots on the feet, as seen in the fight against 'Russian Ronda', and can finish fights once she gets takedowns. Vreeland warns that if Mullins tries to stand and bang with Cornolle, it could be trouble, but expects her to stick to her game plan of taking the fight to the mat.
Mullins is a better fighter overall with dominant grappling and top control. Cornolle has holes in her game, especially takedown defense, as seen against Edwards. Mullins will control positions and likely find a TKO or submission in the second or third round.
Paul picks Mullins but hates the price. He notes Mullins is a slow starter but has great durability and top pressure, and that she takes over in rounds 2 and 3. He thinks Cornolle is a low-volume fighter who was arguably gifted a decision in her UFC debut. Paul suggests live betting Mullins after round 1 or taking her by decision.
The host dismisses both fighters as low-level, calling it an embarrassment to watch. He uses a mayonnaise bottle flip to decide, landing on Melissa Mullins. He notes she is younger and has more reach, but his reasoning is flippant and not serious.
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