Career Averages - Chelsea Chandler
Career Averages - Joselyne Edwards
Chelsea Chandler - Fight History
The host picks Cachoeira but is hesitant, noting that both fighters are on the chopping block and neither has looked good lately. He acknowledges that if Chandler wrestles hard she could win, but on the feet Cachoeira is tough and comes forward with heavy hands. He says he doesn't feel convicted on either side.
AJ picks Cachoeira by knockout, citing her heavy hands and Chandler's apparent durability issues after weight cut. He notes Chandler looked skinny at weigh-ins and was knocked out by Joselyn Edwards. AJ expects Cachoeira to land a big shot early, possibly a shovel uppercut, and finish in round one.
Angelo picks Chelsea Chandler, reasoning that she will use her size and strength to push Priscila Cachoeira against the cage and take her down. He notes that Cachoeira has no ground skills and actively works against herself on the ground. He expects Chandler to win by being the 'Jolly Green Giant' and landing on top, possibly finding a finish.
Big Brady picks Priscila Cachoeira to win by second round knockout. He admits bias but argues that Chelsea Chandler doesn't like getting hit and has poor striking defense, while Cachoeira hits hard and is tough. He worries about Cachoeira's ground game but thinks she can avoid being on her back long enough to land a knockout.
Both fighters are chinny and not the best, but Priscila Cachoeira is more aggressive and goes all out for a knockout. Chelsea Chandler has declined since her win over Julia Stoliarenko four years ago, losing to Norma Dumont and Joselyne Edwards. Cachoeira is expected to chin Chandler early.
Cody picks Cachoeira as a dog, noting Chandler's poor weight cuts and suspect chin. He believes Cachoeira's pressure and durability could overwhelm Chandler. He calls it a 50/50 fight and prefers the plus money.
Priscila Cachoeira is picked but with low confidence. She has power in her hands, but her wrestling is a weakness. Chelsea Chandler should wrestle but may not. The host is unsure if Chandler will implement her game plan or get knocked out. Cachoeira is predictable but could land a knockout.
Cachoeira has better striking power and should be able to stuff Chandler's takedowns. Chandler's wrestling isn't at a level to control Cachoeira. Cachoeira wins a decision, as her power has diminished but she can outpoint Chandler.
Lucrative James picks Chelsea Chandler reluctantly, citing her grappling upside as the deciding factor. He acknowledges both fighters are aging and the fight is low-level, but believes Chandler can win via KO ground and pound in round 2. He notes Priscila Cachoeira's power and experience but thinks Chandler's ability to win on the feet or ground gives her an edge.
Chandler's grappling is the key; she should be able to take Cachoeira down and dominate from top position. Cachoeira has knockout power but poor takedown defense and is 37 years old. Chandler likely finishes by submission, and the under 2.5 rounds at +100 is a good bet.
Paul picks Chandler but is hesitant, noting she should use wrestling to control Cachoeira. He acknowledges Cachoeira's toughness and Chandler's weight issues. He is not betting the fight but leans Chandler on fight IQ.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chelsea Chandler | 0 | 10 of 23 | 43% | 11 of 24 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Joselyne Edwards | 0 | 30 of 42 | 71% | 35 of 47 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:49 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chelsea Chandler | 0 | 10 of 23 | 43% | 11 of 24 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Joselyne Edwards | 0 | 30 of 42 | 71% | 35 of 47 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:49 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chelsea Chandler | 10 of 23 | 43% | 6 of 17 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 9 of 21 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Joselyne Edwards | 30 of 42 | 71% | 14 of 23 | 3 of 5 | 13 of 14 | 27 of 39 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chelsea Chandler | 10 of 23 | 43% | 6 of 17 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 9 of 21 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Joselyne Edwards | 30 of 42 | 71% | 14 of 23 | 3 of 5 | 13 of 14 | 27 of 39 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Edwards (-298), Chandler (+240)
Round 1
After some fight fans got a week off—at least from the UFC—the slate starts to roll on again. We start this cycle in an arena show, with the audience at the T-Mobile Center early in Kansas City ready to rock. A whole 14 fights are on the long slate tonight, and action begins in the women’s bantamweight division featuring two ladies most expected would miss weight and be required to compete at a catchweight or the nonexistent featherweight category. Both Chandler (6-3, 2-2 UFC) and Edwards (14-6, 5-4 UFC) have things under control for this April outing, and referee Zach Teiberis will join them in the cage to make things official. The women do not bump fists before engaging, and it’s time for some action. Edwards takes to the center of the stage and starts firing off kicks to the lead leg and side. Chandler tosses one or two back, but Edwards are starting to have an impact. Chandler looks to tie her foe up, and Edwards takes advantage of the body lock and trips the Californian out to plant her on her back. “La Pantera” lands in half guard, and Chandler holds on tight to not allow her to get off much offense. Chandler scoots to the fence and pushes Edwards off, but she waits for Teiberis to give her a stand-up. Edwards lets her up, and she gets right in her face with fists and a heavy kick to the ribs. Chandler rebounds off the fence after eating a punch salvo, with Edwards firmly in the driver’s seat in the first two minutes. Edwards times a right hand over the top when Chandler throws a naked kick, and Edwards lines up a chain of punches that had Chandler’s curiosity and quickly gain her attention.
Chandler standing straight up against the fence, Edwards opens up with a couple right hooks, and it is a bomb of a left hand that separates Chandler from her senses. Chandler hits the deck, and Edwards pounces, knowing her work here is about to be done. Notching her first knockout victory since 2020, Edwards finishes the job with a slew of hammerfists that force Teiberis to wave the fight off.
This was one-way traffic for the favored Panamanian, who dominantly placed the Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu on her first career losing streak in just over half a round.
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The Official Result
Joselyne Edwards def. Chelsea Chandler R1 2:31 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo picks Joselyne Edwards because she is the better fighter overall, with superior kickboxing, range management, and improving takedown defense. He notes that Chelsea Chandler is enormous and strong but slow and lumbering, and he doubts she can simply overpower Joselyn. He mentions that Joselyn was -190, then -210, now -220, and he has her in a parlay.
Big Brady is confident in Joselyne Edwards, citing her striking advantage and Chelsea Chandler's tendency to be a punching bag. He notes Edwards' takedown defense has improved, though she has been taken down in the past. He expects Edwards to stuff takedowns and win a decision, as Chandler is not a threat on the feet.
The host acknowledges Chandler's physicality but believes Edwards' technical advantages will allow her to land combinations and head kicks from distance, leading to a decision win.
The MMA Guru picks Joselyne Edwards, citing her technical striking, reach advantage, and experience with 20 pro fights compared to Chandler's 9. He notes Edwards' counter-wrestling and range management, and expects her to outstrike Chandler to a 29-28 decision. He mentions that judges are increasingly scoring damage over grappling, which favors Edwards.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yana Santos | 1 | 94 of 135 | 69% | 135 of 186 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:00 |
| Chelsea Chandler | 0 | 56 of 124 | 45% | 73 of 152 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:41 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yana Santos | 0 | 33 of 44 | 75% | 38 of 50 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Chelsea Chandler | 0 | 14 of 40 | 35% | 16 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:27 | |
| 2 | Yana Santos | 1 | 33 of 48 | 68% | 39 of 58 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:35 |
| Chelsea Chandler | 0 | 17 of 34 | 50% | 24 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:22 | |
| 3 | Yana Santos | 0 | 28 of 43 | 65% | 58 of 78 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:23 |
| Chelsea Chandler | 0 | 25 of 50 | 50% | 33 of 62 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:52 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yana Santos | 94 of 135 | 69% | 30 of 58 | 38 of 50 | 26 of 27 | 58 of 94 | 36 of 41 | 0 of 0 |
| Chelsea Chandler | 56 of 124 | 45% | 31 of 90 | 25 of 34 | 0 of 0 | 29 of 88 | 27 of 36 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yana Santos | 33 of 44 | 75% | 10 of 19 | 11 of 12 | 12 of 13 | 24 of 35 | 9 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
| Chelsea Chandler | 14 of 40 | 35% | 9 of 31 | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 30 | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Yana Santos | 33 of 48 | 68% | 12 of 21 | 12 of 18 | 9 of 9 | 21 of 34 | 12 of 14 | 0 of 0 |
| Chelsea Chandler | 17 of 34 | 50% | 10 of 27 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 28 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Yana Santos | 28 of 43 | 65% | 8 of 18 | 15 of 20 | 5 of 5 | 13 of 25 | 15 of 18 | 0 of 0 |
| Chelsea Chandler | 25 of 50 | 50% | 12 of 32 | 13 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 30 | 16 of 20 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Santos (-142), Chandler (+120)
Round 1
Action heads back to the women’s bantamweight division, where Santos (14-8, 4-5 UFC) collides with an overweight Chandler (6-2, 2-1 UFC). The 30-year-old Chandler tipped the scales at 141 pounds—a whopping five pounds over the bantamweight limit. Herb Dean handles the officiating duties. Santos takes the center of the cage against the southpaw. She lands a kick across both legs. Side kick to the lead leg from Santos. She follows punches with another leg kick. Definite difference in class of fighter so far. Chandler steps forward punches and looks to clinch. Santos shrugs it off. Leg kick from Santos, then another. Chandler counters with a straight left. Body kick from Santos. Chandler bobs and weaves on the outside, as the action stalls. Santos steps into a push kick to the face, then crashes into the clinch. Chandler turns her into the fence. Santos breaks free and cuts loose with punches. Ninety seconds left. Chandler pumps out a range-finding jab. Santos delivers a nice kick to the body. Pace slows again. Another body kick from Santos. Chandler flurries, connects with a left and clinches along the cage. She goes nowhere and separates. Body kick from Santos, followed by a spinning back kick upstairs. She closes with an inside low kick.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Santos
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Santos
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Santos
Round 2
Chandler charges out to the center of the cage and eats a pair of punches. Santos floors her with a right hand, then hammers the legs with kicks with Chandler in the butt scoot position. Dean restarts them standing. Head kick from Santos, followed by a one-two and another push kick to the face. Chandler absorbs another leg kick. Santos steps into an inside leg kick, resets in open space and scores with a leg kick. Too much speed and skill for Chandler, who simply cannot plug all the holes in her game. She bullies her way into the clinch. Santos breaks free. No change to the narrative midway through the round. Santos connects with a short-range knee to the body, engages Chandler in the clinch, lands an elbow and turns her to the fence. She lands an elbow off the break. Santos superior at range and in the clinch. Chandler looks to close the distance behind a straight left. No luck. Santos unleashes a kick to the head in open space, then another. Chandler scores with a right hand over the top. Santos lands an axe kick to the collar bone. They finish the round in the clinch.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Santos
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Santos
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Santos
Round 3
Santos circles on the outside to start Round 3. Leg kick from Santos. Chandler again crashes into the clinch along the fence and works knees to the legs and body. Santos avoids a trip and connects with an elbow for breaking free. Chandler walks Santos into a chopping right hand over the top. Santos answers with a body kick. Inside leg kick from Santos, who circles on the outside. Chandler initiates the clinch, throws a knee to the body and tries to bottle up Santos along the fence. Santos breaks free without much trouble. Chandler swarms with punches. Santos responds with a close-quarters knee to the gut, then another. Chandler seems to be out of ideas. Push kick to the face from Santos. She follows with a side kick to the chest. Just too many weapons. Ninety seconds on the clock. Chandler stalks forward and eats a left hand over the top. Once again, they find their way into the clinch. They trade knees. Santos escapes into open space. Chandler follows left hands into the clinch. Action stalls. Push kick to the face from Santos. Chandler hammers away to the body with both hands but runs out of time.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Santos (30-27 Santos)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Santos (30-27 Santos)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Santos (30-27 Santos)
The Official Result
Yana Santos def. Chelsea Chandler—Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Chelsea Chandler based on size and power, expecting her to slow down the pace, lean on Santos, and hold her against the cage. He admits Santos is the better technical fighter but is on a three-fight skid and might be phoning it in. He warns that confidence is very low and advises not to bet heavily on this pick.
Cody picks Santos but with low confidence, citing her poor takedown defense (42%) and Chandler's grappling. He thinks Santos can win rounds 2 and 3 if she keeps it standing, and suggests live betting if she loses the first round. He notes the fight likely goes to decision and judges may favor activity.
Santos has a significant experience advantage and is better in the clinch, where the fight will likely be won. Chandler is raw on the feet and open to counters. Santos should land better damage and win a split decision, though Chandler's physical strength could cause problems.
Paul leans slightly to Santos due to her volume striking, but acknowledges low confidence. He expects a split decision and notes Chandler's grappling could control early rounds. He suggests a split decision prop as a good play.
The MMA Guru picks Chelsea Chandler, citing her commitment to the game and size/strength advantage over Yana Santos. He does not provide detailed technical breakdown but expresses confidence in Chandler's physical attributes.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chelsea Chandler | 0 | 47 of 105 | 44% | 49 of 108 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:26 |
| Josiane Nunes | 0 | 58 of 130 | 44% | 100 of 176 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 7:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chelsea Chandler | 0 | 13 of 32 | 40% | 15 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:26 |
| Josiane Nunes | 0 | 20 of 40 | 50% | 29 of 53 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:27 | |
| 2 | Chelsea Chandler | 0 | 9 of 13 | 69% | 9 of 13 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Josiane Nunes | 0 | 15 of 33 | 45% | 46 of 64 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:11 | |
| 3 | Chelsea Chandler | 0 | 25 of 60 | 41% | 25 of 60 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Josiane Nunes | 0 | 23 of 57 | 40% | 25 of 59 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chelsea Chandler | 47 of 105 | 44% | 37 of 85 | 9 of 19 | 1 of 1 | 43 of 101 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Josiane Nunes | 58 of 130 | 44% | 43 of 107 | 13 of 21 | 2 of 2 | 43 of 106 | 2 of 3 | 13 of 21 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chelsea Chandler | 13 of 32 | 40% | 7 of 25 | 5 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 29 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Josiane Nunes | 20 of 40 | 50% | 14 of 32 | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 29 | 2 of 3 | 5 of 8 | |
| 2 | Chelsea Chandler | 9 of 13 | 69% | 9 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Josiane Nunes | 15 of 33 | 45% | 13 of 29 | 1 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 13 | |
| 3 | Chelsea Chandler | 25 of 60 | 41% | 21 of 47 | 4 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 25 of 60 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Josiane Nunes | 23 of 57 | 40% | 16 of 46 | 6 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 23 of 57 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Nunes (-135), Chandler (+114)
Round 1
The second catchweight affair comes next, as ex-featherweight Chandler (5-2, 1-1 UFC) could not quite reach the 136-pound limit, clocking in a pound heavy and giving up 20% of her purse to her opponent. Also a featherweight in the past, the 5-foot-2 Nunes (10-1, 3-0 UFC) had no issue making weight. There will be a size disparity in the cage, and referee Chris Tognoni will make sure nothing problematic comes from it. Nunes is intense and has no interest in touching gloves, and she walks out of her corner calm as a cucumber while knowing it is about to get messy. Nunes slowly moves forward, until she lets her hands go. Nunes clubs Chandler on the side of the head with a huge left hand in the midst of a combination, and she draws Chandler into an early brawl. Nunes gets the better of the exchange to force Chandler to separate and strafe to the side, and Nunes gives chase and engages another slugfest. Chandler takes a few shots and ties the Brazilian up, but it does not take long for the shorter Nunes to turn her around perhaps thanks to her lower center of gravity. Nunes gets off a high knee, and she breaks off and just misses taking a hard elbow. Nunes swarms her opponent with a flurry of punches, clipping Chandler on the temple with a wild left. Chandler backs off and moves away from the small ball of power and fury, but Nunes catches up with her. Chandler attempts to slow her down again, clinching up and setting up a trip on the outside. Chandler succeeds in tripping Nunes to the mat, where she imposes her body weight on top of the slugger. Nunes tries to kick off, and Chandler opens up with a few punches. Nunes sets up a high guard, and she hacks with elbows while not letting Chandler throw much else. Nunes looks to lift one leg up high to set up a potential triangle, and she goes all the way over with her legs to hook up an armbar. Chandler lifts her up in the air and powerbombs her down, and Nunes lets it go instead of letting it sink it deeper. Chandler connects with several punches, and Nunes fights her way back up and absorbs a risky body kick on the way. Nunes lashes out with a blitz of punches, knocking Chandler back until Chandler stands her ground and fires back. The two measure one another with power strikes until the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Nunes
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Nunes
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Nunes
Round 2
Nunes loads up on vicious punches as soon as the round begins, and she stings Chandler in a flurry of blows. Nunes knocks Chandler down to a knee, and Chandler works her way back up. Nunes backs Chandler up again, laying into her with fiery fists, and Chandler swings back with bad intentions including a few body kicks. Nunes’ punches smash Chandler’s nose wide open, and blood leaks out of both nostrils. As they both trade, Nunes considers a level change, but Chandler tackles her over and shifts to full mount. Nunes turns to her side while maintaining wrist control, and Chandler takes her back and gets both hooks in. Nunes turns in an effort to escape, and Chandler follows her every step of the way to remain on top, although no longer in dominant position. Chandler opens up with a few strikes but would prefer to remain in top control, and Nunes closes her guard around the waist. Chandler slams a few elbows down to stay busy, dishing out damage as time ticks off the clock. Nunes hangs on tight to prevent any serious offense from mounting, as a small cut on the bridge of her nose drips blood into her eye. Chandler winds up with a few more elbows, and she stands back up with seconds to go before the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Chandler
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Chandler
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Chandler
Round 3
The last round kicks off with a body kick from the American. Nunes ducks down, swinging a right hand to the body, but she misses. Chandler digs another kick to the ribs, prompting Nunes to load up with a left hand that gets Chandler’s attention. Nunes unloads another overhand left, and she forces Chandler to retreat with her surge of punches. Chandler uses jabs to keep her distance until Nunes charges her, and the Brazilian’s strikes land as Chandler keeps moving. Nunes walks through a body kick and rocks Chandler with a left hook. Chandler bites down on her mouthpiece and slings back, and Nunes racks her again with a massive left. Chandler tries to tie her up with a clinch, and Nunes shakes her off and resets so she can race forward swinging her mighty fists. Chandler turns away from an exchange, and she gets to the center of the cage and sticks out a jab. Nunes passes the jab so she can wing her left, and her momentum allows Chandler to grab hold of her and slow her down. Chandler presses her full body weight and drives a few knees to the chest, but Nunes wants to break and throw hands. Nunes smacks her foe with a few more punches, and Chandler still has some bounce on her feet as she moves. Nunes connects with two heavy left hands, and Chandler tanks them and is no worse for wear. Nunes crowds her with a swarm of punches, and Chandler turns her back and lifts up a back kick that smacks into Nunes’ cheek. Nunes darts forward, leading with her left, and she gets driven back by a front kick to the ribs. Nunes continues to spam her left, and Chandler eats it like a slice of avocado toast and remains in the fight. Chandler pokes out a jab and starts taunting her opponent, who responds by punching her square in the face. Nunes leaps forward with two left hooks, and the fight ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Nunes (29-28 Nunes)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Nunes (29-28 Nunes)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Nunes (29-28 Nunes)
The Official Result
Chelsea Chandler def. Josiane Nunes via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo argues that Nunes looked worse in her last fight (barely beating a 40-year-old) than Chandler did (losing to a top-five opponent). He thinks Chandler is tough, powerful, and will be giant in this fight. He notes the over 2.5 rounds line is only -120 and expects a decision, as both are tough and Nunes is not a finisher. He may bet on Chandler if she becomes an even bigger dog, and also consider the over.
Big Brady picks Josiane Nunes to win by decision, but is not confident. He notes Nunes' size disadvantage but thinks her striking and power will be enough if she stuffs takedowns. He does not trust either fighter and will not bet on this fight.
Cody picks Chelsea Chandler, citing her size and physicality advantage. He notes Nunes is one-dimensional with an overhand left and has been taken down by lesser wrestlers. He expects Chandler to use her ground game and win by decision, but warns about Chandler's weight cut to 135 lbs.
The host sees this as striker vs grappler, with Chandler being much bigger and stronger. He expects Chandler to use her strength to bully Nunes against the cage, drag her to the ground, and assert top pressure to open up a TKO opportunity.
Paul also leans toward Chandler, noting Nunes will be dwarfed. He compares Nunes to a female version of Ilir Latifi, with no neck and a one-dimensional style. He thinks Chandler can press her against the cage and make it ugly, but emphasizes the weigh-ins are important for both fighters.
The Guru picks Josiane Nunes by TKO in round two. He notes Chandler's poor standup, throwing punches with eyes closed, and that Nunes has wicked power. He believes the bantamweight weight class favors Nunes, and that Chandler is too open on the feet. He references Chandler's loss to Norma Dumont where she looked lost.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norma Dumont | 0 | 47 of 76 | 61% | 98 of 141 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 8:58 |
| Chelsea Chandler | 0 | 22 of 61 | 36% | 72 of 124 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 2:30 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Norma Dumont | 0 | 18 of 24 | 75% | 44 of 52 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:24 |
| Chelsea Chandler | 0 | 8 of 20 | 40% | 31 of 51 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:20 | |
| 2 | Norma Dumont | 0 | 22 of 38 | 57% | 31 of 51 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:47 |
| Chelsea Chandler | 0 | 9 of 25 | 36% | 23 of 42 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:30 | |
| 3 | Norma Dumont | 0 | 7 of 14 | 50% | 23 of 38 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:47 |
| Chelsea Chandler | 0 | 5 of 16 | 31% | 18 of 31 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:40 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norma Dumont | 47 of 76 | 61% | 30 of 59 | 12 of 12 | 5 of 5 | 28 of 49 | 10 of 12 | 9 of 15 |
| Chelsea Chandler | 22 of 61 | 36% | 14 of 51 | 6 of 7 | 2 of 3 | 13 of 44 | 9 of 17 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Norma Dumont | 18 of 24 | 75% | 10 of 16 | 7 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 14 | 8 of 9 | 0 of 1 |
| Chelsea Chandler | 8 of 20 | 40% | 3 of 14 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 14 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Norma Dumont | 22 of 38 | 57% | 14 of 30 | 4 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 14 of 28 | 2 of 3 | 6 of 7 |
| Chelsea Chandler | 9 of 25 | 36% | 8 of 24 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 21 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Norma Dumont | 7 of 14 | 50% | 6 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 7 |
| Chelsea Chandler | 5 of 16 | 31% | 3 of 13 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 9 | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Dumont (-140), Chandler (+120)
Round 1
Stop us if you’ve heard this one: this might be the final women’s featherweight bout in UFC history. This next bout will officially serve as the first between ranked combatants, although neither are ranked in the division in which they are competing because there is no ranking for featherweights. Both in the top 15 at 135 pounds, little should be at stake when Dumont (9-2, 5-2 UFC) faces off against Chandler (5-1, 1-0 UFC). Bad blood has entered this matchup, and they do not touch gloves in front of referee Jacob Montalvo. While they were wild on weigh-in day, they are anything but to lead off the bout. Chandler plods forward slowly, and she reaches out with a front kick and a few jabs. Chandler backs Dumont to the fence, and Dumont suddenly springs to life, with a fierce and furious combination of punches. Chandler is stunned and worse, and she actively turns her back and sprints from one end of the cage to the other in a bizarre display. Dumont chases after her, backing her up to the wall, and Chandler gathers her thoughts and tries to fight back. Dumont get off a body kick ad she circles away, and Chandler walks her down and walks into a punch. Chandler connects with her own left hand, and they end up tied up. Chandler looks for an outside trip or some way to put Dumont to the floor, but her attempts fail as Dumont turns her around. Chandler drives a knee to the torso, and she presses her weight on her opponent to slow things to a crawl. When Chandler commits to a takedown, the Brazilian reverses her and puts Chandler on her back. Chandler utilizes a high guard in an attempt to trap Dumont, but Dumont is wise to the triangle setup and keeps her body weight squeezed down as tightly as she can. Dumont smothers her foe without getting little else going in the way of offense, grinding and wearing Chandler down. With seconds to spare, Dumont drops down a short elbow and raps Chandler on the side of the head a few times before the bell sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Dumont
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Dumont
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Dumont
Round 2
Chandler marches out of her corner willing to engage, but Dumont throw back with a vengeance to make Chandler think twice. Dumont gets off a calf kick, and she reaches out an overhand right. Chandler clips Dumont with a left hand, and her lead leg is kicked hard to make her change stances. Dumont kicks the other leg, and Chandler checks it. Chandler telegraphs a left hook, leading to a clinch when Dumont snatches her up and turns her around. Chandler breaks free and starts slugging, but she gets bopped with a one-two and her head snaps back. Chandler continues pressing forward, even coming up short in the exchanges, largely because her hands are too low and Dumont beats her to the punch. Dumont blasts her opponent in the face with a one-two, and she follows it with another as Chandler’s head movement is the kind that would force Coach Edmund to yell “head movement.” Dumont trips Chandler up and dumps her to the floor, where she falls flat on top of her and smothers again. Chandler gets put in a position where her neck is between the floor and the wall, but she still lifts her legs up high enough to potentially threaten with an armbar or a triangle choke. Dumont shucks out of it without concern and keeps top position. Chandler pushes Dumont up with her foot, and she drills her in the face with an upkick. Dumont gloms back down and imposes her weight and will, and Chandler still manages to muscle her way back up with the fence behind her. Chandler jockeys for position, turning about and leaning her shoulder on Dumont. They trade short knees to little effect, and the round ends with a push-off and a left hook from the Brazilian.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Dumont
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Dumont
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Dumont
Round 3
The two featherweights nod at one another before starting off the last round, and Dumont strikes first in the form of a one-two. Chandler bobs her head up and down, but Dumont is easily able to time her movement and smack her in the face. Dumont then rushes forward, where she goes for a double or some sort of takedown to put her foe down. Chandler turns the tables on the Brazilian, taking Dumont for a ride. Dumont stands back up, and Chandler hangs on with a standing arm-triangle choke as she leans on Dumont against the wire. Dumont ignores it, gets out of the clinch and is followed with Chandler punching towards her. Dumont uses Chandler’s momentum against her and procures a body lock takedown. Dumont lowers herself on top, and Chandler rolls for a leglock. Dumont is able to move the proper direction to shut it down entirely, to the degree that she rolls Chandler over to her knees so that she can pound on her from behind. Chandler is unable to stand back up, as Dumont shoves her back over to her side. Dumont grinds an elbow on the cheek, and she sets up an arm-triangle choke with half guard on the other side. Chandler senses it being set up and thwarts it by getting her arm between the gripping arm and her head. Dumont postures up with 45 seconds to go, slugging Chandler in the face from above. Chandler throws her legs up high for a possible armbar, and when Dumont stands up, Chandler swings upkicks at her. Dumont warily lowers herself back into the active guard, and she ends the exhausting fight in this position.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Dumont (30-27 Dumont)
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Dumont (30-27 Dumont)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Dumont (30-27 Dumont)
The Official Result
Norma Dumont def. Chelsea Chandler via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Angelo picks Chelsea Chandler for the upset, calling her the far more dangerous fighter. He notes Norma has a clear advantage in experience and fight IQ, but she got rocked by Carol Rosa, and Chelsea can do the same. He recommends betting on Chelsea wins inside the distance with decision no action, meaning if it goes to decision he gets a refund. He believes Norma is not dangerous and Chelsea is tough, so if anyone is finished, it's Norma.
Big Brady picks Chelsea Chandler, citing her aggression and dog mentality. He admits Dumont is probably the better fighter but thinks Chandler's aggressiveness will go a long way. He expects a close decision where Chandler does a little more across 15 minutes, possibly landing harder shots or getting takedowns. He calls the fight 'greasy' and says he's not betting on it.
Cody leans toward Chandler as a value play at plus money, noting Dumont's low volume and Chandler's aggressive style. He thinks Chandler lands the better shots and that the judges may favor damage and output over cage control. He acknowledges it's a 50/50 fight and prefers the plus money. He also considers the under 2.5 rounds, thinking Chandler could overwhelm Dumont early.
The host believes Dumont is the better striker and will put together solid combinations to damage Chandler. He thinks Chandler's lack of experience and raw game will be exposed, and Dumont may even get a TKO finish due to the skill gap on the feet.
Paul leans toward Chandler as an underdog, citing her bruiser style and high pace in her debut. He thinks her forward pressure and volume could overwhelm Dumont, who has low output. He notes the price is attractive at +120 and expects a close fight. He also considers the under 2.5 rounds at +180, thinking Chandler might finish early.
The MMA Guru picks Norma Dumont over Chelsea Chandler, emphasizing Dumont's proven track record against higher-level competition, including wins over Karol Rosa and a close fight with Irene Aldana. He dismisses Chandler's win over Julija Stoliarenko and notes her losses to Alexis Davis and Julia Avila. He predicts Dumont wins.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chelsea Chandler | 0 | 12 of 27 | 44% | 20 of 36 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:19 |
| Julija Stoliarenko | 0 | 38 of 70 | 54% | 47 of 81 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:05 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chelsea Chandler | 0 | 12 of 27 | 44% | 20 of 36 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:19 |
| Julija Stoliarenko | 0 | 38 of 70 | 54% | 47 of 81 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:05 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chelsea Chandler | 12 of 27 | 44% | 5 of 18 | 3 of 4 | 4 of 5 | 12 of 27 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Julija Stoliarenko | 38 of 70 | 54% | 34 of 64 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 17 of 43 | 0 of 0 | 21 of 27 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chelsea Chandler | 12 of 27 | 44% | 5 of 18 | 3 of 4 | 4 of 5 | 12 of 27 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Julija Stoliarenko | 38 of 70 | 54% | 34 of 64 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 17 of 43 | 0 of 0 | 21 of 27 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
In a pre-planned catchweight affair at 140 pounds, proud Lithuanian Stoliarenko (10-6-2, 1-4 UFC) wants to keep her modicum of momentum going after winning her first UFC appearance after five tries. She faces off against promotional newcomer Chandler (4-1, 0-0 UFC), plucked from the Invicta ranks but with the Diaz brothers in her camp. Referee Jacob Montalvo watches on as the two decide not to touch gloves, and instead they want to go after it early. Chandler lands a kick, and when she lines up a punch, Stoliarenko plods forward and takes her down. Within seconds, Stoliarenko shifts right into full mount, and she transitions into her favorite armbar setup. Chandler is wise to it, and she flips Stoliarenko over and breaks up the armlock before it is secured. The Stockton, Calif., native unloads with ground-and-pound when she is safe from submission harm, and she hammers Stoliarenko with several powerful blows. Stoliarenko kicks off the fence to get out of the bad situation, and finds her way back to the feet. Chandler catches her with a clean right hand as Stoliarenko resets, and Stoliarenko staggers back and looks to get her feet back beneath her. Stoliarenko is marked up from absorbing strikes, and slightly wobbled on the feet, and Chandler is loading up on heavy strikes. When Stoliarenko shoots in for a takedown, she drops to her knees and is bowled over. Chandler moves immediately into mount, and she makes Stoliarenko pay for the takedown try. Stoliarenko bucks and lifts her legs up high, and in doing so, she forces Chandler to climb back upright. Stoliarenko desperately shoots for a takedown, and Chandler hip tosses her to the mat and raises her arms up in typical Diaz-esque fashion. Stoliarenko stands up and backs off, and when she attempts another takedown, Chandler easily pushes her to her back and moves to mount.
Sensing that the Lithuanian is starting to wilt, Chandler turns it up to 11 and starts battering Stoliarenko with heavy punches. The shots are getting through and Montalvo is right there paying attention. Chandler keeps bombarding her doomed opponent with relentless fists, and Montalvo steps in to rescue Stoliarenko from further harm.
The Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu product has just announced herself to the promotion in a big way, putting away a woman that had not been stopped with strikes since 2014.
The Official Result
Chelsea Chandler def. Julija Stoliarenko R1 4:15 via TKO (Punches)
Cody leans towards Julija Stoliarenko, noting her dangerous armbar and improved striking. He is concerned about Chandler's size and the catchweight, but believes Stoliarenko's submission threat is real. He prefers the submission prop but may wait for weigh-ins to assess size discrepancy.
Paul picks Julija Stoliarenko by submission, noting her specialty is the armbar and she has shown improvement in her overall game. He acknowledges Chandler is bigger and has some jiu-jitsu, but believes Stoliarenko's experience and ability to capitalize on mistakes will be key. He suggests waiting for a better price on the submission prop.
The MMA Guru leans toward Julija Stoliarenko, noting her specific skill set of armbars and judo. He thinks she can take Chandler down and control her on the ground, possibly submitting her. He is less confident because Chandler is untested and has a thyroid issue affecting weight cut, but he believes Stoliarenko has faced better competition. He calls it a pick'em fight.
Joselyne Edwards - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norma Dumont | 0 | 51 of 100 | 51% | 66 of 117 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:09 |
| Joselyne Edwards | 0 | 70 of 152 | 46% | 121 of 207 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 2:21 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Norma Dumont | 0 | 6 of 14 | 42% | 14 of 23 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:09 |
| Joselyne Edwards | 0 | 6 of 13 | 46% | 37 of 48 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 1:31 | |
| 2 | Norma Dumont | 0 | 24 of 45 | 53% | 29 of 50 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Joselyne Edwards | 0 | 27 of 61 | 44% | 39 of 73 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:20 | |
| 3 | Norma Dumont | 0 | 21 of 41 | 51% | 23 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Joselyne Edwards | 0 | 37 of 78 | 47% | 45 of 86 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:30 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norma Dumont | 51 of 100 | 51% | 20 of 54 | 16 of 22 | 15 of 24 | 44 of 93 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Joselyne Edwards | 70 of 152 | 46% | 20 of 63 | 32 of 51 | 18 of 38 | 68 of 150 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Norma Dumont | 6 of 14 | 42% | 0 of 7 | 4 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 10 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Joselyne Edwards | 6 of 13 | 46% | 2 of 6 | 3 of 5 | 1 of 2 | 5 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | |
| 2 | Norma Dumont | 24 of 45 | 53% | 9 of 20 | 5 of 9 | 10 of 16 | 23 of 44 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Joselyne Edwards | 27 of 61 | 44% | 6 of 25 | 9 of 14 | 12 of 22 | 26 of 60 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Norma Dumont | 21 of 41 | 51% | 11 of 27 | 7 of 8 | 3 of 6 | 19 of 39 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Joselyne Edwards | 37 of 78 | 47% | 12 of 32 | 20 of 32 | 5 of 14 | 37 of 78 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Dumont (-240); Edwards (+200)
Round 1
A potential women’s bantamweight title eliminator will serve as the co-main event of this Apex extravaganza. The winner of six straight, Dumont (13-2, 9-2 UFC) will throw down with
Sherdog’s 2025 Ms. All-Violence
Edwards (17-6, 8-4 UFC), and we can only hope some fireworks ensue before it is all settled. The Octagon ranger for this high-stakes 135-pound offering will be referee Jason Herzog, who bears witness to a glove touch.
Both women stay on the outer edge looking to pick their shots with kicks. Edwards finds a way in and throws fire with a fast flurry of punches. Dumont shrugs them off but is forced to fight off her back foot, with the Panamanian advancing behind a jab and a sharp two. Edwards connects with a solid low kick and jacks Dumont in the jaw with a right hand. Dumont grabs hold of her, bell rung, and hurls Edwards to the floor with an unorthodox body lock from the side. Edwards bounces back to her feet as if she had springs in her shorts, and Dumont leans against her on the fencing. Edwards turns her foe about and starts kneeing her in the thigh.
Dumont fires back with knees to the stomach, and Edwards drops to her knees to grab hold of a double. She isolates Dumont’s leg and is nearing completing it, but Dumont regains her footing. Dumont uses the leverage against her foe, body locking Edwards down to her back. In the open cage, Dumont lands on top in half guard, pinning the Panama native to the mat. Dumont uses her left shoulder to press down on Edwards’ windpipe, possibly setting up an arm-triangle choke. Edwards elbows from her back, and she bucks and twists when Dumont jumps into mount. Edwards bursts all the way through to flip Dumont over, but Dumont clings to her mightily to not give her any space to break out and stand back up. Edwards lifts Dumont up in the top position and slams her down chest-to-chest, and the round ends with the ladies high-fiving.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Edwards
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Edwards
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Edwards
Round 2
The first strike thrown in the second round is from the Brazilian, as is the second and third. Two low kicks and a jab come from her, prompting Edwards to return fire with similar strikes. Edwards works the lead leg and stands back to check a response. Dumont turns her hips into a heavier kick, so Edwards does the exact same. It is tit-for-tat as they engage with single strikes, with Dumont trying but failing to break up the pattern a few times with a one-two or a second kick behind the first. Edwards is content to kickbox at range, with both women not committing fully to their swings. Edwards tosses out a feeler of an overhand right, and she uses a knee shield to block one of two front kicks aimed at her. Dumont chips at the front leg and sways back, but Edwards catches up to her and delivers a front kick to the belly. Edwards secures a jumping switch kick that draws an involuntary smile out of her foe.
Dumont aims back a body kick with a lot less mustard on it, and she leans back when Edwards zings an overhand right at her. Edwards is stuck throwing single strikes, but she is starting to put something behind them. Dumont blocks a jumping kick again that bounces harmlessly off the guard. Dumont slips a punch and returns with one over the top, and Edwards nods at her and charges with an overhand right. Dumont gives back two to the body and one upstairs, and Edwards takes the cue and makes Dumont smile giving a trio of strikes right back. It is an asymmetrical mirror match at this point, with Edwards a day late and a dollar short even if she still remains in the bout. Edwards absorbs a body kick and considers taking the fight down from it, bullying the Brazilian to the fencing to knee her in the stomach and thigh. Edwards concludes the round with a sharp elbow upstairs.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Dumont
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Edwards
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Edwards
Round 3
The women high-five and hug to open up the last stanza, and they pick up where they left off taking turns with single strikes. Dumont lands a powerful body kick, and this lights a fire under the Panamanian. Edwards explodes her way in, bloodying the bridge of Dumont’s nose with a fast flurry of fists. Dumont circles away after absorbing a body kick, and Edwards spins after her with a body kick. Edwards doubles up on a low kick to body kick, scoring the second and jabbing to keep Dumont at bay. Dumont whiffs on a pair of high kicks, and Edwards darts after her but pulls back before engaging. Edwards kicks her foe in the stomach and goes to the front leg after it, blinking out when Dumont jabs her in the nose. Edwards cleanly connects on the jaw, backing Dumont off in a hurry. Dumont circles away and tries to counter, but all she can do is parry some of the blows.
When Edwards sits down and throws, she gets Dumont’s attention regularly. The threat of the grappling takes Edwards out of her game for minutes at a time. The two clinch up, and Dumont delivers a bouquet of knees to the body to force a separation. Edwards backs to the center of the cage and puts her hands on her hips as if to draw Dumont into a trap, but when Dumont does not bite, Edwards chases her down like before. Edwards stalks after the Brazilian with single, effective strikes. Edwards keeps her hands on her hips when not hurling punches, and she puts a crisp three-punch salvo on Dumont’s jaw. Dumont smiles and blocks the head kick that comes after. Edwards jogs in place before pursuing Dumont, and she kicks into a spinning back fist that bumps into the knot on top of Dumont’s hair. Edwards drills her opponent with a spinning back elbow, and she keeps swinging right to the bell. They embrace for a while after the full 15 minutes elapse.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Edwards (29-28 Edwards)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Edwards (30-27 Edwards)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Edwards (30-27 Edwards)
The Official Result
Joselyne Edwards def. Norma Dumont via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Angelo leans on Norma Dumont, calling her the far cleaner striker. He acknowledges that her takedown defense is worse than it should be and fears some MMA karma from her last decision win. He notes that Joselyne Edwards does a good job sneaking in takedowns but doesn't like pressure. He believes Dumont's hands are much better and she will stay more mobile.
Big Brady picks Norma Dumont over Joselyne Edwards (referred to as Josiane Nunes). He believes Dumont is better everywhere, with takedown ability, clinch work, and striking. He notes Edwards' wins are against lower-level competition and expects Dumont to win by decision, though the money line is getting high.
The host believes Dumont should win as she is better everywhere: more technical striker, better MMA grappler. Edwards has an advantage in cardio but is on short notice and has bad fight IQ. Dumont can be passive but Edwards has similar issues. The host sees no interesting betting opportunities in fight spreads or over/under.
James picks Norma Dumont as his Hammer of the Week, calling it a 'levels fight' despite the -200 price. He argues Dumont is better everywhere: striking, wrestling, and grappling, with superior competition and fight IQ. He notes Dumont is the best boxer in the division and can stuff takedowns, while Edwards has only beaten low-level opponents and lacks a plan C when her A and B fail. James expects Dumont to win via decision, as finishes are rare in women's MMA at this level.
James picks Norma Dumont, believing she is a level above Edwards with superior boxing. He thinks Edwards' path via takedowns is unlikely due to Dumont's takedown defense and Edwards' inconsistent wrestling. He predicts a decision win.
Edwards is on a four-fight winning streak with improved grappling and finishing ability. Dumont is on a six-fight winning streak but has looked less dominant against better competition and is hittable. Edwards has a reach advantage and can use her kickboxing and grappling to outwork Dumont. She should be able to secure a submission win, especially at plus odds.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joselyne Edwards | 1 | 26 of 44 | 59% | 26 of 44 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Priscila Cachoeira | 0 | 18 of 50 | 36% | 18 of 50 | 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 | Joselyne Edwards | 1 | 26 of 44 | 59% | 26 of 44 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Priscila Cachoeira | 0 | 18 of 50 | 36% | 18 of 50 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joselyne Edwards | 26 of 44 | 59% | 16 of 29 | 5 of 10 | 5 of 5 | 24 of 42 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
| Priscila Cachoeira | 18 of 50 | 36% | 15 of 47 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 18 of 50 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joselyne Edwards | 26 of 44 | 59% | 16 of 29 | 5 of 10 | 5 of 5 | 24 of 42 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
| Priscila Cachoeira | 18 of 50 | 36% | 15 of 47 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 18 of 50 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Edwards (-300); Cachoeira (+250)
Round 1
With the division wide open, it is not unconscionable to suggest that the victor here tonight could be a few wins away from a crack at gold. Edwards (15-6, 6-4 UFC) is currently the one of the two who is riding a win streak, although the bantamweight still struggles to make weight and initially missed before coming back an hour later to hit 136. She battles controversial ex-flyweight Cachoeira (13-6, 5-6 UFC), a woman who many believe should have been released from her contract after gouging Gillian Robertson’s eyes on the way to getting submitted. Nevertheless, they do battle with referee Herb Dean standing by. Gloves are touched before they are traded.
Cachoeira takes to the center of the cage, where she swats her hands out to try to find her target. The taller, longer Edwards is able to land jabs on her and the occasional low kick. Cachoeira drives home an uppercut that knocks Edwards back, and she follows with a left hook. Cachoeira hammers the front leg with a kick that stumbles Edwards, who shoots for a takedown. Cachoeira pushes off and pokes her opponent in the eye. Dean calls time, and Edwards takes 30 seconds to clear her vision. When they resume, both ladies lob hammers at one another, and it is Cachoeira who lands cleaner as she clips the Panamanian in a salvo of fists. Cachoeira stands in the pocket and bangs, taking away the reach advantage of her and marking her up with uppercuts. Edwards wings a left hand over the top, and they nail one another with hard left hooks.
Edwards, the larger and stronger of the two, rips a right hand and then a ferocious left that shakes Cachoeira to her core. Cachoeira stands still, frozen in time, until she slumps back to the mat with her hands at her side. While her eyes may be open, they are closed the moment Edwards dives at her and detonates a few right hands on the Brazilian’s chin.
Dean sprints in to call a halt to the bludgeoning, and the frazzled Cachoeira switches back on and grips hold of the closest thing she can find. That happens to be Dean’s leg, who has to pull the dazed former flyweight off of him. That makes three in a row for the UFC’s ranked bantamweight, who says she has finally figured things out and is ready to make some moves.
The Official Result
Joselyne Edwards def. Priscila Cachoeira R1 2:24 via KO (Punches)
Angelo picks Joselyne Edwards as a technical striker with good kickboxing and range management. He notes Priscila Cachoeira is a powerful brawler with heavy pressure but gets hit a lot. Angelo thinks Joselyne's ability to shoot takedowns and manage range with kicks will get her the win, but he doesn't love the 2-to-1 odds and may only bet if odds tighten.
Big Brady is confident in Joselyne Edwards, noting her recent improvements training with Valentina Shevchenko. He highlights Edwards' takedown ability and ground game, which he believes will exploit Cachoeira's lack of takedown defense and submission defense. Brady expects Edwards to fight smart, take the fight to the ground, and find a submission. He predicts a third-round submission for Edwards.
The host notes Edwards' growing confidence and back-to-back finishes, expecting her to take a grapple-heavy approach to avoid Cachoeira's berserker striking. He predicts a submission victory under two and a half rounds.
The MMA Guru picks Joselyne Edwards, mainly because Priscila Cachoeira took the fight on short notice. He notes Edwards is underrated with improving striking and grappling, while Cachoeira has taken a lot of damage and has scar tissue. He predicts a close 29-28 decision win for Edwards.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chelsea Chandler | 0 | 10 of 23 | 43% | 11 of 24 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Joselyne Edwards | 0 | 30 of 42 | 71% | 35 of 47 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:49 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chelsea Chandler | 0 | 10 of 23 | 43% | 11 of 24 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Joselyne Edwards | 0 | 30 of 42 | 71% | 35 of 47 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:49 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chelsea Chandler | 10 of 23 | 43% | 6 of 17 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 9 of 21 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Joselyne Edwards | 30 of 42 | 71% | 14 of 23 | 3 of 5 | 13 of 14 | 27 of 39 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chelsea Chandler | 10 of 23 | 43% | 6 of 17 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 9 of 21 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Joselyne Edwards | 30 of 42 | 71% | 14 of 23 | 3 of 5 | 13 of 14 | 27 of 39 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Edwards (-298), Chandler (+240)
Round 1
After some fight fans got a week off—at least from the UFC—the slate starts to roll on again. We start this cycle in an arena show, with the audience at the T-Mobile Center early in Kansas City ready to rock. A whole 14 fights are on the long slate tonight, and action begins in the women’s bantamweight division featuring two ladies most expected would miss weight and be required to compete at a catchweight or the nonexistent featherweight category. Both Chandler (6-3, 2-2 UFC) and Edwards (14-6, 5-4 UFC) have things under control for this April outing, and referee Zach Teiberis will join them in the cage to make things official. The women do not bump fists before engaging, and it’s time for some action. Edwards takes to the center of the stage and starts firing off kicks to the lead leg and side. Chandler tosses one or two back, but Edwards are starting to have an impact. Chandler looks to tie her foe up, and Edwards takes advantage of the body lock and trips the Californian out to plant her on her back. “La Pantera” lands in half guard, and Chandler holds on tight to not allow her to get off much offense. Chandler scoots to the fence and pushes Edwards off, but she waits for Teiberis to give her a stand-up. Edwards lets her up, and she gets right in her face with fists and a heavy kick to the ribs. Chandler rebounds off the fence after eating a punch salvo, with Edwards firmly in the driver’s seat in the first two minutes. Edwards times a right hand over the top when Chandler throws a naked kick, and Edwards lines up a chain of punches that had Chandler’s curiosity and quickly gain her attention.
Chandler standing straight up against the fence, Edwards opens up with a couple right hooks, and it is a bomb of a left hand that separates Chandler from her senses. Chandler hits the deck, and Edwards pounces, knowing her work here is about to be done. Notching her first knockout victory since 2020, Edwards finishes the job with a slew of hammerfists that force Teiberis to wave the fight off.
This was one-way traffic for the favored Panamanian, who dominantly placed the Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu on her first career losing streak in just over half a round.
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The Official Result
Joselyne Edwards def. Chelsea Chandler R1 2:31 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo picks Joselyne Edwards because she is the better fighter overall, with superior kickboxing, range management, and improving takedown defense. He notes that Chelsea Chandler is enormous and strong but slow and lumbering, and he doubts she can simply overpower Joselyn. He mentions that Joselyn was -190, then -210, now -220, and he has her in a parlay.
Big Brady is confident in Joselyne Edwards, citing her striking advantage and Chelsea Chandler's tendency to be a punching bag. He notes Edwards' takedown defense has improved, though she has been taken down in the past. He expects Edwards to stuff takedowns and win a decision, as Chandler is not a threat on the feet.
The host acknowledges Chandler's physicality but believes Edwards' technical advantages will allow her to land combinations and head kicks from distance, leading to a decision win.
The MMA Guru picks Joselyne Edwards, citing her technical striking, reach advantage, and experience with 20 pro fights compared to Chandler's 9. He notes Edwards' counter-wrestling and range management, and expects her to outstrike Chandler to a 29-28 decision. He mentions that judges are increasingly scoring damage over grappling, which favors Edwards.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joselyne Edwards | 0 | 81 of 134 | 60% | 151 of 212 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 2 | 0 | 4:30 |
| Tamires Vidal | 0 | 34 of 69 | 49% | 53 of 91 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:35 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joselyne Edwards | 0 | 41 of 65 | 63% | 70 of 98 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 0:45 |
| Tamires Vidal | 0 | 18 of 41 | 43% | 24 of 47 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:42 | |
| 2 | Joselyne Edwards | 0 | 14 of 22 | 63% | 35 of 45 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:38 |
| Tamires Vidal | 0 | 5 of 10 | 50% | 17 of 25 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:51 | |
| 3 | Joselyne Edwards | 0 | 26 of 47 | 55% | 46 of 69 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 2 | 0 | 2:07 |
| Tamires Vidal | 0 | 11 of 18 | 61% | 12 of 19 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joselyne Edwards | 81 of 134 | 60% | 48 of 94 | 20 of 26 | 13 of 14 | 61 of 108 | 9 of 11 | 11 of 15 |
| Tamires Vidal | 34 of 69 | 49% | 15 of 44 | 9 of 14 | 10 of 11 | 25 of 57 | 9 of 12 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joselyne Edwards | 41 of 65 | 63% | 24 of 44 | 11 of 14 | 6 of 7 | 39 of 63 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Tamires Vidal | 18 of 41 | 43% | 9 of 28 | 4 of 7 | 5 of 6 | 15 of 36 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Joselyne Edwards | 14 of 22 | 63% | 5 of 12 | 3 of 4 | 6 of 6 | 8 of 15 | 6 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Tamires Vidal | 5 of 10 | 50% | 1 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 3 | 4 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Joselyne Edwards | 26 of 47 | 55% | 19 of 38 | 6 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 14 of 30 | 1 of 2 | 11 of 15 |
| Tamires Vidal | 11 of 18 | 61% | 5 of 10 | 4 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 12 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Edwards (-258), Vidal (+210)
Round 1
For the third time in her UFC career, Edwards (13-6, 4-4 UFC) comes into a matchup after missing weight. She surrenders a significant portion of her purse to Brazil’s Vidal (7-3, 1-2 UFC), who would like to make her pay even more for that perceived disrespect. Referee Herb Dean will be in there to keep things clean, and perhaps due to the weight miss—Edwards was three pounds heavy for their bantamweight tilt—there is no glove touch. Both women stand in the pocket and trade reaching strikes, with jabs that transition into leg kicks on both sides. Edwards whips a right hand over the top that misses, although her jab and front kick split the guard. Edwards works the body, and Vidal crashes the pocket, ignores a few strikes and pushes her foe to the wall. Edwards flips her over to deflate a takedown effort, and Vidal climbs back to her feet to push Edwards against the fence. Vidal goes low for an unorthodox single on the other side, and Edwards turns her around and tries to mash her up against the fencing. When they break free. Edwards kicks the body on one side and a low kick on the other. Edwards chops at the front leg and jabs, and Vidal is drawn out into spamming big overhand rights. Edwards points at the floor to initiate a brawl, and brawl they do. The ladies wind up on huge power shots, with Vidal getting off multiple overhand rights while Edwards smacks her upside the head with a spinning back fist. Edwards chops at the front leg a few times, spins with another back fist and is grabbed and forced into a clinch. Vidal knees her in the head repeatedly until Edwards can break free, and Edwards scores another back fist. Vidal’s low kick gets checked, and Edwards jabs her in the belly to respond. “La Pantera” tries one more spinning back fist, and Vidal sees it coming and swarms her opponent with punches. Edwards kicks her in the liver, and Vidal waves her on for more. Edwards takes a moment to gather her wind, and Vidal uses this moment to pounce. Vidal lands, Edwards fires back, and Vidal keeps on throwing. When Vidal overswings, Edwards grabs hold of her and throws her down to the floor with emphasis. As soon as Edwards takes her opponent’s back, the violent round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Edwards
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Edwards
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Edwards
Round 2
The kicks come early and often from the ladies, with Edwards throwing them high and low until Vidal closes in briefly. Edwards slides back and kicks Vidal in the gut, and she dances away from an overhand right to drill the Brazilian with a spinning back fist. Vidal’s chin is made of sterner stuff, and these women are throwing with everything they have. Vidal rushes forward to tie the longer woman up, getting hold of a body lock on the side while pushing Edwards to the wall. Vidal ducks under to take the Panamanian’s back standing, and she gets a hook in. Edwards hacks at the thigh with several elbows before whipping one behind her head, making Vidal blink it out. Vidal is warned for grabbing the inside of the gloves, and Edwards complains as Dean is on top of it. Vidal remains tight against her adversary, kneeing her in the back of the thigh like a mean-spirited body suit. Vidal breaks away to kick Edwards upside the head, and Edwards shakes it off, rushes after her and bowls Vidal over with a solid body lock takedown. Edwards lands in half guard and maintains top position, fighting off an effort for Vidal to scramble so she can stay in control. Edwards softens Vidal up with short ground-and-pound, more to stay busy than to inflict damage. Vidal hits a sweep with seconds to go, and Edwards tackles her back down to conclude the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Edwards
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Edwards
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Edwards
Round 3
Edwards comes out of her corner with purpose, walking Vidal down and jabbing her way into a number of front kicks. Vidal slips away, and she gets kicked in the ribs and swings her way into a clinch. They both knee one another before splitting, and Edwards tries for a back fist on the break and is blocked. Edwards jabs the body and has her front leg kicked hard twice. Edwards counters with an overhand right and pitches a front kick, and Vidal is after her loaded for bear. Edwards allows her to get up close and personal so she can deliver several solid uppercuts, and she frames off to nail Vidal with a back fist. When Vidal attempts her own spin, Edwards tackles her to the floor, and Vidal appears frustrated with herself as her opponent is in half guard. Edwards postures up and starts battering Vidal with elbows, and Vidal keeps her hands up and threatens with a leglock as Edwards attempts to advance position. This results in Edwards falling to her back, keeping her left leg safe from getting cranked or torqued the wrong direction. Vidal looks to her corner for ideas, and Edwards times this moment of awkwardness with an explosion and a number of fierce right hands. Vidal turns over, and Edwards happily takes her back to wrap up a rear-naked choke. The Brazilian turns her head to the side, and she hand-fights to try to get out of the move.
Edwards has her forearm fastened on the jaw and not beneath it, and she squeezes with all her might. The crushing grip gives Vidal issues, who quickly realizes she is not in a good place and there is no more hand to fight. Even as it does not become a choke and remains a crank, it is more than enough to force Vidal to surrender.
Arguably the best performance of Edwards’ career is marred by an egregious weight miss, but it might save her place on the roster.
The Official Result
Joselyne Edwards def. Tamires Vidal R3 4:33 via Submission (Face Crank)
Angelo is high on Joselyne Edwards, praising her kickboxing, range management, and grit. He acknowledges her takedown defense is a weakness but thinks she can keep the fight standing by using leg kicks to slow down Tamires Vidal's pressure. He notes Vidal's striking is almost non-existent and she has lost to BJJ specialists recently. He believes Edwards can dance around on the outside and pick Vidal apart, making Edwards the pick. He also sees the over 2.5 rounds as safe.
Big Brady picks Joselyne Edwards by third-round TKO. He criticizes Vidal's quit in previous fights, poor cardio, and durability. He believes Edwards is better everywhere and can finish Vidal, possibly due to a quit job. He notes Edwards often goes to split decision but expects a finish here.
Connor agrees with Zane, picking Edwards. He notes that Edwards is a better athlete and has an instinct to get back when someone has success against her. He thinks Vidal is a bully who doesn't want to try hard and will likely lose to Edwards' size and power.
This fight was not discussed in the transcript.
Edwards has the technical striking advantage over the slugger Vidal, but a grapple-heavy approach could open up a submission opportunity. Edwards will defeat Vidal inside the distance.
The Guru flips a tin of multivitamins to decide but ultimately picks Joselyne Edwards based on her experience and wins in the UFC. He notes Vidal is huge for the weight class but hasn't proven she is good. He considers Edwards rangy and closer to her prime.
Zane picks Edwards because she is bigger and a better athlete than Vidal. He notes that Edwards has an instinct to answer back when hit, which he thinks will break Vidal's spirit. He criticizes Vidal for quitting in fights and lacking courage, and believes Edwards' size and awkwardness on the ground will be too much for Vidal.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AilĂn PĂ©rez | 1 | 42 of 62 | 67% | 68 of 91 | 6 of 11 | 54% | 0 | 2 | 4:18 |
| Joselyne Edwards | 0 | 27 of 64 | 42% | 130 of 179 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 4 | 5:11 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AilĂn PĂ©rez | 0 | 14 of 17 | 82% | 30 of 35 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 0 | 2 | 3:08 |
| Joselyne Edwards | 0 | 3 of 6 | 50% | 32 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 3 | 1:13 | |
| 2 | AilĂn PĂ©rez | 1 | 9 of 15 | 60% | 15 of 22 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:20 |
| Joselyne Edwards | 0 | 3 of 10 | 30% | 64 of 83 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 1 | 3:19 | |
| 3 | AilĂn PĂ©rez | 0 | 19 of 30 | 63% | 23 of 34 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:50 |
| Joselyne Edwards | 0 | 21 of 48 | 43% | 34 of 61 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:39 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AilĂn PĂ©rez | 42 of 62 | 67% | 16 of 28 | 15 of 19 | 11 of 15 | 24 of 44 | 8 of 8 | 10 of 10 |
| Joselyne Edwards | 27 of 64 | 42% | 9 of 37 | 8 of 14 | 10 of 13 | 24 of 59 | 1 of 3 | 2 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AilĂn PĂ©rez | 14 of 17 | 82% | 8 of 9 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 6 | 3 of 6 | 3 of 3 | 8 of 8 |
| Joselyne Edwards | 3 of 6 | 50% | 1 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | |
| 2 | AilĂn PĂ©rez | 9 of 15 | 60% | 3 of 6 | 4 of 6 | 2 of 3 | 6 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 |
| Joselyne Edwards | 3 of 10 | 30% | 2 of 7 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 8 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | |
| 3 | AilĂn PĂ©rez | 19 of 30 | 63% | 5 of 13 | 9 of 11 | 5 of 6 | 15 of 26 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Joselyne Edwards | 21 of 48 | 43% | 6 of 27 | 6 of 10 | 9 of 11 | 21 of 47 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Perez (-198), Edwards (+164)
Round 1
One lone women’s bout will play out on the billing tonight, and it comes now at the 135-pound division between two women that will not likely go out for a beer after. In the last few years, Argentina’s Perez (9-2, 2-1 UFC) has built a pattern of winning two and losing the third, and she currently rides a two-fight win streak. Looking to keep that pattern going will be Edwards (13-5, 4-3 UFC), who has heard the final bell in all seven of her previous outings in the Octagon. Referee Gasper Oliver may be in it for the long haul, and he clocks the grudge match in as they have no interest in touching gloves first—although Perez does offer. Perez backs off and reaches out low kicks, and Edwards checks one and throws a front kick back. Perez punches, and she moves in to grab hold of Edwards and drags her back to the cage by putting her own back to the wall. This is all part of the plan, even as she eats a solid knee to the body, as she slings Edwards down to the floor. “La Pantera” fights her way back up with the fence behind her, so Perez mat returns her back down with a throw that plants her on her back in the middle of the cage. Perez lands a few punches from on top, and she is warned for punches to the back of the head. Edwards sweeps her when Perez tries to pass guard, and a wild scramble results in multiple reversals and changes in position. Edwards finds her way on top, and Perez flips her back over, only to get put on her back as Edwards times Perez advancing again. Edwards scoots her way to the cage wall, and as soon as she stands back up, Perez tosses her back down. “Fiona” settles down and hacks down with elbows, remaining more composed and less reckless so she can rack up control time without getting swept. Edwards hangs on with an arm-triangle off her back, and Perez completely ignores it as she resides in half guard, grinding out the round and dropping occasional elbows. Perez tries to move to mount, and Edwards remarkably flips her over once more. The amusing round ends with Edwards on top.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Perez
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Perez
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Perez
Round 2
Edwards comes out of her corner and takes the center of the cage, only to get driven back by two punches and an attempted high kick. Edwards replies with a single body kick, and she blocks a head kick aimed her direction. Perez defends from a high kick and a haymaker by swiping out with a left hook that stuns Perez momentarily. Perez shoots recklessly for a takedown, and Edwards snatches up a guillotine that is tight in a hurry. The Panamanian uses the submission to push Perez on her back, and she lands in half guard. Edwards postures up to land strikes occasionally, and as she lowers herself down, she smashes Perez in the face with her forehead with what appears to be an intentional headbutt. Perez clutches her cheek after the illegal blow, and Oliver calls time. Perez appears compromised from the blow, and Oliver simply asks Edwards to watch her head without issuing a hard warning or taking a point. Oliver clocks them back in, and Perez is still holding onto her cheek. When they do continue, Perez totally shocks her foe with a spinning back fist, knocking Edwards clean off her feet. Edwards appears stunned, and she somehow comes to her senses as Perez does not give chase. Instead, the two appear confused, and Perez decides to tackle Edwards to the mat. Perez falls off the side, and she pursues an armbar, only for Edwards to flip her over. Edwards holds top position to the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Perez
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Perez
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Perez
Round 3
Once more, Edwards is the aggressor to lead off the round, but Perez takes advantage of that by kicking her hard in the ribs. Edwards overswings, and Perez attempts to take her down. Edwards stonewalls her, and Perez tries again to no avail. On this second effort, Edwards shuts her down and pushes her towards the fence. Perez kicks off the fence to change her position, and she hunts for a hip toss but cannot get it this time. Edwards stays tightly pressed in the clinch, and the two tie their legs up until Perez chucks her to the mat. Edwards stands back up, and Perez backs off and pulls on the fence to stand back up. Edwards backs her off with a front kick, and she chases after a retreating Perez and kicks her in the front leg as well. A second low kick from Edwards forces a brief change in stances, and the pace wanes significantly. Perez comes up short on a big left hand, and Edwards spins with a back fist but is blocked. Perez tosses out a half-hearted high kick that easily gets redirected, and her leg kick comes up short. Edwards goes after her with reaching punches, and she misses the mark. Edwards plants a kick on the chest, and they trade leg kicks until Edwards catches her with a few punches. Perez spins with a back fist, and they both smile and touch gloves in a potential sign that the bad blood is dissipating. They keep slamming one another in the front leg with kicks, and Perez turns her hips to her side to deliver a solid side kick to the body. Edwards throws a few punches, and Perez rushes forward to take her down and lands it with seconds to spare. As Edwards stands, the fight ends, and the two women hug it out and appear to apologize to one another for everything that transpired between them. The teams also shake hands with one another, and the bantamweight share a finalizing embrace.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Edwards (29-28 Perez)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Perez (30-27 Perez)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Perez (30-27 Perez)
The Official Result
Ailin Perez def. Joselyne Edwards via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks AilĂn PĂ©rez to win due to her relentless wrestling and forward pressure, despite her sometimes sloppy control on the ground. He thinks Joselyne Edwards is underrated and has good kickboxing and improved takedown defense, but believes PĂ©rez's wrestling will be the difference. He plans to bet on Edwards plus 3.5 and over 2.5 rounds as prop bets.
Big Brady thinks AilĂn PĂ©rez will be under the radar. He expects her to wrestle, get multiple takedowns, control time, and ground strikes. He notes Joselyne Edwards struggles with getting taken down and held down. He does not see a finish but expects a solid score at low ownership.
Cody picks PĂ©rez but is hesitant, noting she slowed down in the third round against Lucie Pudilova and took damage. He expects PĂ©rez to get early takedowns and control the fight, but worries about her cardio. He thinks she will win by decision but is not confident enough to add her high on parlays. He acknowledges Edwards' fights are close and could go either way.
Daniel notes Edwards has improved but still gets reversed. He thinks PĂ©rez's relentless takedown attempts will be enough if Edwards makes a mistake. He reluctantly picks PĂ©rez but says it's dog or pass.
The host expects PĂ©rez to exploit Edwards' poor takedown defense and grind out a decision. PĂ©rez's strength and top control should neutralize Edwards' volume striking, and Edwards' lack of finishing threat late in fights allows PĂ©rez to survive her own cardio issues. The grudge match may add emotion, but PĂ©rez's discipline and physicality should prevail.
Paul picks PĂ©rez, citing her physical strength and top pressure. He notes Edwards' fights are always close and go to decision, and she lacks volume and power. Paul believes PĂ©rez will initiate takedowns, control the clinch, and win a decision. He mentions PĂ©rez's win over Stephanie Egger and her grappling credentials. He expects the New Jersey crowd to favor PĂ©rez's aggressive style.
The MMA Guru picks AilĂn PĂ©rez based on MMA math: PĂ©rez dominated Lucy Pudilova on the ground, while Edwards was outgrappled by the same opponent. He acknowledges that both fighters are similar but believes PĂ©rez's grappling is superior. He notes that Edwards is a bit bigger and rangier but hasn't beaten a good UFC fighter.
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.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joselyne Edwards | 0 | 56 of 114 | 49% | 90 of 153 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 0:29 |
| Lucie Pudilová | 0 | 39 of 98 | 39% | 74 of 138 | 2 of 7 | 28% | 0 | 0 | 7:29 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joselyne Edwards | 0 | 17 of 36 | 47% | 31 of 55 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 0:11 |
| Lucie Pudilová | 0 | 8 of 27 | 29% | 17 of 40 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:11 | |
| 2 | Joselyne Edwards | 0 | 12 of 22 | 54% | 23 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
| Lucie Pudilová | 0 | 12 of 25 | 48% | 24 of 38 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:19 | |
| 3 | Joselyne Edwards | 0 | 27 of 56 | 48% | 36 of 65 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
| Lucie Pudilová | 0 | 19 of 46 | 41% | 33 of 60 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:59 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joselyne Edwards | 56 of 114 | 49% | 19 of 65 | 11 of 19 | 26 of 30 | 46 of 98 | 5 of 9 | 5 of 7 |
| Lucie Pudilová | 39 of 98 | 39% | 27 of 82 | 9 of 10 | 3 of 6 | 21 of 67 | 7 of 10 | 11 of 21 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joselyne Edwards | 17 of 36 | 47% | 10 of 25 | 2 of 4 | 5 of 7 | 10 of 25 | 2 of 4 | 5 of 7 |
| Lucie Pudilová | 8 of 27 | 29% | 5 of 22 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 2 | 4 of 17 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 8 | |
| 2 | Joselyne Edwards | 12 of 22 | 54% | 2 of 10 | 5 of 6 | 5 of 6 | 10 of 19 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Lucie Pudilová | 12 of 25 | 48% | 10 of 23 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 13 | |
| 3 | Joselyne Edwards | 27 of 56 | 48% | 7 of 30 | 4 of 9 | 16 of 17 | 26 of 54 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Lucie Pudilová | 19 of 46 | 41% | 12 of 37 | 5 of 6 | 2 of 3 | 15 of 39 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Pudilova (-135), Edwards (+115)
Round 1
For the first time in six years to the day, the UFC is back in Kansas City, Missouri, with a Fight Night offering. In the building formerly known as the Sprint Center and now the T-Mobile Center, the promotion throws 14 fights in rapid succession at fans in the building and those watching on ESPN and ESPN+. Of note, the prelims will bring eight bouts in the span of three hours, so the pace should be higher. This presumably speedy slate of matches begins outside of normal weight categories, as Edwards (12-4, 3-2 UFC) missed weight ahead of her bantamweight bout with Pudilova (14-7, 3-5 UFC). The 137-pound catchweight affair will be overseen by referee Dwayne Bess, and there is no interest in a glove touch to start off the night. Instead, the ladies immediately begin to brawl, throwing hands in volume and tagging the other right out of the gate. One particular right hand from Edwards draws a telegraphed double-leg attempt from her opponent, and Edwards stuffs it and gets back up. Pudilova counters a leg kick with a right hand, and Edwards loads up on a pair of overhand rights in response. Pudilova scores a low kick and paws at her nose, which is already showing some damage from the few absorbed blows thus far. Pudilova surges forward and lifts Edwards off her feet to take her down to the mat, where she lands right in half guard. Pudilova controls her adversary, flattening her to the floor and not throwing much of note. A few punches to the rib cage do connect for Pudilova, who is dragged back to the guard when Edwards looks to buck her off. Pudilova is comfortable from this position as well, even with Edwards clutching both of her hands, so that she can posture up and drop down some decent ground-and-pound. Pudilova rains down hammerfists from high up until Edwards boots her off, and the Panamanian even gets off an upkick that stuns Pudilova momentarily. Instead of standing, Edwards remains on her back, and Pudilova adjusts her mouthguard and top and dives back down into the half guard. The boos begin to rain down from crowd, and this spurs Pudilova into action. Pudilova looks to pass to a dominant position, and Edwards turns to her side and slides out the back door to stand back up. Pudilova gives chase, and she swings her way into the clinch. The round closes as Edwards tries to toss her foe down.
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Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Pudilova
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Pudilova
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Pudilova
Round 2
Pudilova advances calmly out of her corner, watching Edwards lob inaccurate bombs at her, until she rushes forward to close up. Edwards shuts down a takedown, and she makes Pudilova pay for it with multiple leg kicks. Pudilova’s offense stalls out while Edwards pecks at her with kicks, and she barely dodges a spinning back fist in time. Edwards sinks in a few body kicks, and Pudilova takes a moment after the second one lands. Pudilova ducks a few punches to pursue a double, and she drags “La Pantera” to the mat while simultaneously turning to land in side control. Pudilova grinds her elbow on Edwards’ face as she maintains heavy top control, with chest-to-chest pressure to keep Edwards flat on her back. Bess asks Pudilova to start working, as the action lulls. Pudilova drops down a few solid elbows on the cheek, and she moves to claim mount. As she does, Edwards flips over to her knees, and Pudilova does not fall off this time. Instead, Pudilova takes her back, where she gets in both hooks and threatens immediately with a rear-naked choke. Edwards fights the hands off from the first choke try, and she attempts to slip Pudilova off of her. Pudilova softens her up with a few punches, and Edwards keeps her stuck from trying anything with a two-on-one wrist lock. Edwards turns to her back, and Pudilova follows her and gets into mount. With 10 seconds to spare, Pudilova sits up and batters Edwards with vicious elbows until the horn saves the Panama native.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Pudilova
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-8 Pudilova
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Pudilova
Round 3
The last round opens up with Edwards aiming heavy kicks to the calf and big overhand rights up top. Pudilova stays composed and does not walk into anything harmful, and she flicks out a few jabs to keep Edwards honest. Pudilova shoots in from afar for a double, and she gets stood up as she pushes Edwards to the fence. Edwards slowly muscles her around, but Pudilova breaks off and separates. “La Pantera” shoots for her own takedown, and Pudilova tosses it aside and throws out a few kicks. Edwards strikes with several kicks to the thigh and upper calf, and Pudilova intercepts one with a straight left hand. Edwards punches her way into a spinning back fist, and Pudilova retreats and blocks both strikes. Edwards continues to work on the lead leg with pitter-patter kicks, and she smacks Pudilova with a clean left. “Bullet” charges for a takedown, and Edwards stands her up and kicks her in the body with a spinning kick. Edwards circles away on the outside, countering the advancing Pudilova and landing effectively. Pudilova crashes the pocket briefly with an overhand right, and Edwards is met with a knee before she swings a right hand back. Pudilova slams Edwards in the face with a knee, and she level changes to grab hold of Edwards. Edwards turns around, and Pudilova drags her to the floor. Edwards springs back up instantly, and the two remain clinched up. Pudilova misses with an elbow on the break, and Edwards tags her with two right hands. Pudilova surges forward with a few punches, and they trade short shots until the final bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Edwards (29-28 Pudilova)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Edwards (29-27 Pudilova)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Edwards (29-28 Pudilova)
The Official Result
Joselyne Edwards def. Lucie Pudilova via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Angelo picks Joselyne Edwards based on her range management and volume striking. He notes that Edwards is a good kickboxer who uses range well, and her 63% takedown defense should ward off Pudilová's takedown attempts. He expects a boring fight but sees Edwards winning with volume and distance control. He is super confident in her but probably won't include her in a parlay.
Big Brady picks Joselyne Edwards as a dog, citing her striking volume and improved takedown defense. He doubts Lucie Pudilová's wrestling, which she only showed in her last fight, and doesn't trust her as a favorite. He expects Edwards to win by decision, but is not betting on the fight.
Cody notes Pudilová has improved her grappling and wrestling, and her aggression and volume should overwhelm Edwards. He thinks Edwards' pitter-patter striking won't be enough. He likes Pudilová by decision.
Connor picks Pudilová because he likes a newly controlled fighter who relies on her reach intelligently. He notes that Pudilová has takedowns and Edwards is a bad wrestler. He acknowledges that Edwards is powerful and the fight could get chaotic, but thinks Pudilová's experience in crazy fights will help.
Pudilová's improved grappling and BJJ will be key against Edwards, who struggles when taken down. Edwards relies on kicks and distance, but Pudilová is a good enough striker to close the distance and get takedowns. Pudilová's submission defense and top control should allow her to grind out a decision. She has evolved her game since returning to the UFC.
Paul agrees, noting Pudilová's improved grappling and the fact that Edwards' wins are over low-level competition. He thinks Pudilová's aggression and takedowns will secure a decision.
The MMA Guru leans toward Lucie Pudilová, citing her improved grappling and overall development since her return to the UFC. He notes Edwards' striking volume but thinks Pudilová's X-factor of potentially using grappling could edge a close decision. He calls it a close fight and says the line is accurate.
Zane picks Edwards because he hasn't seen Pudilová handle physical pushback well. He believes Edwards is tough and strong, and will land the bigger shots. He acknowledges that Edwards doesn't do enough work continually but thinks she'll land more damaging shots.
Expert Picks (4)
Angelo picks Joselyne Edwards because she is the better fighter overall, with superior kickboxing, range management, and improving takedown defense. He notes that Chelsea Chandler is enormous and strong but slow and lumbering, and he doubts she can simply overpower Joselyn. He mentions that Joselyn was -190, then -210, now -220, and he has her in a parlay.
Big Brady is confident in Joselyne Edwards, citing her striking advantage and Chelsea Chandler's tendency to be a punching bag. He notes Edwards' takedown defense has improved, though she has been taken down in the past. He expects Edwards to stuff takedowns and win a decision, as Chandler is not a threat on the feet.
The host acknowledges Chandler's physicality but believes Edwards' technical advantages will allow her to land combinations and head kicks from distance, leading to a decision win.
The MMA Guru picks Joselyne Edwards, citing her technical striking, reach advantage, and experience with 20 pro fights compared to Chandler's 9. He notes Edwards' counter-wrestling and range management, and expects her to outstrike Chandler to a 29-28 decision. He mentions that judges are increasingly scoring damage over grappling, which favors Edwards.
Comments (2)
The finish from top control Edwards???
Edwards cake walk. Great takedown. Great body kick. Consistent right hand in bunches. Chelsea is a bag of dicks.
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