C. Gadelha (left) and J. Jedrzejczyk (right) had been at odds with each other since the official weigh-in. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
Brazil missed a great chance to have the first challenger for the strawweight category belt, which had its inaugural champion decided this Friday (12). In a controversial result, Claudinha gadelha was defeated by the Polish Joanna Joanna Jedrzejczyk by split decision from the judges in the fight that closed the UFC on FOX 13 preliminary card, in Phoenix (USA).
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The fight
Claudinha started the fight at high speed, connecting good blows and making the Polish player move backwards. In the final stretch of the round, however, the Brazilian had a bad time, after suffering a very hard knockdown that left her completely disoriented. Gadelha withstood the pressure and was saved by the bell.
In the second half, the Brazilian dispelled any concerns about her condition and showed her spirits, achieving a takedown in the opening seconds. However, Claudinha felt tired, as did her opponent, and the fight lost intensity.
In the third and decisive round, Claudinha began suffering a deep cut on her eyebrow, due to an accidental headbutt. Contrary to what one might expect, the cut seems to have encouraged the Brazilian, who went all out and got good takedowns and worked her ground and pound.
At the end of the fight, there was still time for controversy. As the bell sounded, Claudinha kicked Joanna, who retaliated with a blow and received a punch in response. At the time of the Brazilian's attack, the duel referee was already separating the two athletes. The attitude divided opinions on social media and the fighter herself made gestures suggesting that she had not heard the signal.
After the end of regulation time, and the controversy over the punch after the bell had passed, the decision went into the hands of the judges and Joanna Jedrzejczyk was declared the winner in the opinion of two of the three judges – who scored 29-28 in her favor. The decision did not please Gadelha, who complained, was visibly irritated and complained a lot while still in the Octagon. With the result, although there is no confirmation from Ultimate, it is expected that the Polish woman will be the strawweight champion's first challenger. Carla esparza.
Former WEC champion loses fourth straight and retires
Former champion of the extinct WEC, Jamie Varner did not end his career the way he imagined. Coming from three consecutive defeats, including a setback in which he suffered a serious ankle injury, Varner ended up quickly finished by the youngster Drew dober, extended his negative series and hung up his gloves after the fight.
Before the first minute of the fight, Varner tried to apply a sacrifice takedown, but ended up giving the mount to Dober, who worked the position well and managed the submission with a rear naked choke. After the fight, in an interview with the official Ultimate commentator Joe Rogan, Jamie Varner announced the end of his career. The fighter, who was playing at home, guaranteed that the decision had already been made even before the negative result.
Cejudo finally debuts and wins comfortably
After losing his first fight in Ultimate due to problems with the weight cut, Henry Cejudo finally debuted in the octagon and the debut couldn't have happened in a better style. Youngest Olympic champion in the history of wrestling American, Cejudo largely dominated Dustin Kimura to score his first triumph in the Octagon.
The main surprise in the duel was not Cejudo's victory, but the way he achieved the result. For obvious reasons, it was expected that Henry would control the fight by betting on the takedown game. However, the North American dominated his striking to gain the upper hand during the fifteen minutes. Thus, the Olympic athlete remained undefeated in MMA in seven fights.
Check out all the results from the UFC on FOX 13 preliminary card below:
MAIN CARD
Heavy weight (up to 120 kg): junior gypsy x Stipe Miocic;
Light weight (up to 70,3 kg): Rafael dos Anjos x Nate diaz;
Heavy weight (up to 120 kg): alistair overeem x Stefan struve;
Heavy weight (up to 120 kg): Gabriel Napao x Matt Mitrione.
PRELIMINARY CARD
Joanna Jedrzejczyk derrotou Claudinha gadelha by split decision;
John Moraga submitted Willie Gates with a rear naked choke in R3;
Ben Saunders beat Joe Riggs by submission (injury) in R1;
Drew dober submitted Jamie Varner with a rear naked choke in R1;
Bryan Barbarena beat Joe Ellenberger via TKO in R3;
David Michaud beat Garrett Whiteley by unanimous decision;
Henry Cejudo beat Dustin Kimura by unanimous decision of the judges;
Ian Entwistle submitted Anthony Birchak with a heel hook in R1.
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