Iasmin Lucindo made a significant comeback in the octagon, defeating Angela Hill by unanimous decision with scores of 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28. This quality bout showcased the skills of the ranked strawweights, as the young Brazilian fighter displayed a dominant performance. After a previous loss to compatriot Amanda Lemos, Lucindo was determined to prove her worth. Throughout the fight, she consistently landed heavier blows and matched Hill's volume, effectively utilizing her grappling skills to keep the veteran fighter at bay.
Despite moments of resilience from Hill, it was evident that Lucindo's power was a decisive factor in the exchanges. In the final round, she managed to keep Hill grounded for most of the time, solidifying her victory. This win marks Lucindo’s fifth victory in seven appearances and is likely to maintain her position within the Top 10 of the strawweight division, affirming her status as a promising contender at just 23 years old.
The featherweight bout between Andre Fili and Christian Rodriguez delivered a thrilling back-and-forth contest, culminating in a split decision win for Fili with scores of 29-28, 28-29, and 30-27. Fili made a strong start, landing sharp counters that put Rodriguez on unsteady legs. However, Rodriguez found his footing in the second round, successfully closing the distance and landing precise strikes.
As the fight progressed into the third round, Rodriguez seemed to gain momentum. Yet, Fili’s timely level changes allowed him to leverage his wrestling, thwarting Rodriguez's offensive attempts and effectively managing the clock. With this victory, Fili returns to winning ways, reaffirming his significance in the competitive featherweight landscape.
Jean Matsumoto faced off against Miles Johns in a closely contested bantamweight matchup, ultimately winning by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28). Johns started strong, successfully landing strikes and executing a takedown against the Brazilian prospect. However, as the fight progressed, Matsumoto adjusted his strategy, maintaining a steady pace and delivering consistent offense.
Although Johns attempted to rally back with heavy strikes, Matsumoto effectively neutralized his efforts. By the end of the fight, Matsumoto had secured his third victory in the UFC, bouncing back from his first career loss earlier this year. Meanwhile, Johns solidified his reputation as a tough competitor in the bantamweight division.
Seizing the moment, Duncan followed up with a series of strikes, leading to a decisive finish. This performance marked a significant milestone for Duncan, who has now settled into the UFC and is poised to emerge as a dark horse in the middleweight division.
Julius Walker earned his first victory in the UFC by defeating Raffael Cerqueira by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26). In this light heavyweight clash, Walker effectively utilized his grappling skills to control the fight. Despite a late surge from Cerqueira, Walker maintained composure and dominated the grappling exchanges, ultimately securing a decisive win.
Walker’s performance solidified his position as an exciting prospect in the light heavyweight division, promising fans more captivating fights in the future.
This victory marks Smith's second consecutive win in the UFC, extending his overall winning streak to seven. The 22-year-old bantamweight is certainly one to watch as he continues to develop his fighting style.
Joselyne Edwards extended her winning streak to three with an impressive KO against Priscila Cachoeira in Round 1. Edwards capitalized on Cachoeira's unguarded approach, landing a powerful right hook that sent her opponent crashing to the canvas. This emphatic victory highlights Edward's continued improvement and could lead to a matchup with a higher-ranked opponent in her next fight.
Gabriella Fernandes showcased her skills against Julija Stoliarenko, winning by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28). Throughout the fight, Fernandes effectively utilized body kicks and maintained control over the striking exchanges. This victory marks her third consecutive win in the UFC, positioning her favorably for potential matchups against ranked opponents in the near future.
In the opening bout of the night, Eric McConico faced Cody Brundage in a closely contested middleweight clash, winning by split decision (29-28, 27-30, 29-28). McConico showcased his striking skills early in the fight but faced a resilient Brundage who leaned on his wrestling. Despite the back-and-forth exchanges, McConico emerged victorious, marking his first win in the UFC and setting the stage for future matchups.
