Gadelha (photo) won her first fight in the UFC’s women’s strawweight division. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
The first fight in the history of the strawweight category in the UFC, with athletes weighing up to 52 kg, was won by Brazil. Claudia Gadelha dominated the three rounds of competition against Tina Lahdemaki and prevailed in the judges' decision on Wednesday night (16). The fight opened UFC Fight Night 45, in the city of Atlantic City, New Jersey (USA).
In undefeated MMA fights, the Brazilian managed to win both on her feet and, mainly, on the ground, and dominated the actions against Lahdemaki, who was able to do little to resist. Gadelha started the fight by putting pressure on the Finn in her striking, even opening a wound on her rival's face in the opening seconds. Still in the first round, the native of Rio Grande do Norte managed the takedown and reached her opponent's back, almost obtaining the submission – Lahdemaki, however, defended herself well against the Brazilian's rear-naked choke attempts.
In the next two rounds, the Brazilian knew how to mix the stand-up game well with the ground fight, achieving takedowns at important moments and controlling the movement on top of her opponent. Lahdemaki tried to resist, but was unable to cope with the Brazilian's strength and technique. After three rounds of competition, all the judges gave the victory to Claudia Gadelha (30 to 26, 30 to 27 and 30 to 27), the first winner in UFC history in the women's strawweight category.
Tibau imposes his game and beats Healy in the judges' decision
Tibau (photo) defeated Healy in the UFC. Photo: Disclosure/UFC
Brazil also ended with victory in the fight that closed the UFC Fight Night 45 preliminary card. Gleison Tibau had a tough fight with Pat Healy, but managed to impose his game and came out on top after three rounds of fighting, in a unanimous decision from the judges.
Tibau managed to stay out of danger when the fight remained standing, but he made the difference with a sharp takedown game. In the first round, the Potiguar controlled the activities on the ground well, and the scenario was repeated in the following period. However, at the end of the second round, Healy grew and moved forward, landing good blows on the Brazilian.
In the final five minutes, “Bam Bam” continued to show more initiative, although without offering any great danger to Tibau. The Brazilian also fell in the final moments, ending the fight with the advantage.
The three judges gave victory to Tibau (30 to 27, 29 to 28 and 29 to 28), recovering from the defeat suffered by Michael Johnson in December last year. Healy is in a delicate situation in the UFC, suffering his fourth consecutive defeat.
Wolverine is dominated by North American and suffers second defeat in MMA
Wolverine (photo) suffered his second defeat in MMA. Photo: Disclosure/UFC
Second Brazilian to perform on the night, Hugo Wolverine did not resist the fair play of the North American promise aljamain sterling and suffered his second defeat in professional MMA. Sterling, 24 years old, made good use of his larger wingspan and managed to avoid the former TUF Brazil member's game well in striking. Furthermore, the American got takedowns at important moments in the rounds and maintained control of the fight throughout.
In the third period, Sterling managed another takedown and reached mount, even trying to finish with katagatame e arm lock, blows well defended by Wolverine. In the final moments, Sterling worked with more intensity on the ground and pound and won by technical knockout at 3:50 of the third round.
Training partner Chris Weidman, Sterling remains undefeated in professional MMA, with ten wins (two in the UFC). Wolverine, in turn, suffered his second setback in his last three fights, as he had lost to the current bantamweight champion, TJ Dillashaw, in April last year.
UFC Fight Night 45 preliminary card results:
Gleison Tibau defeated Pat Healy via unanimous decision;
Leslie Smith defeated Jessamyn Duke via TKO in R1;
aljamain sterling derrotou Hugo Wolverine by technical knockout in R3;
Yosdenis Cedeño defeated Jerrod Sanders by technical knockout (withdrawal) at the end of R1;
Claudia Gadelha defeated Tina Lahdemaki via unanimous decision by the judges
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