The red-hot Amanda Ribas – the number 10 ranking for female sprint – seemed to keep her perfect record within the Octagon (4-0) intact at the expense of 6-seeded Marina Rodriguez, who took on the challenge when Michelle Waterson withdrew from the Pay-per-view (PPV) event for unknown reasons. And after the unbeaten lightweight sensation Ottman Azaitar made the stupidest mistakes, their 115-pound showdown was promoted to UFC 257’s PPV main card, which took place at Ethiad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Ribas controlled the action early, but Rodriguez culminated in less than one minute in the second stanza to register the upset.
Ribas, the soil specialist, put pressure on Rodriguez, the striking specialist, hoping to close the gap and avoid big shots. Ribas continued to chase Rodriguez early, shooting low kicks and trying to chop down the cage and catch her. About 90 seconds later, Ribas was able to secure a removal, which Rodriguez defended a solid minute from her side before Ribas could finally get into her closed guard. Ribas tried to rain ground and pound, but Rodriguez did a good job keeping her head pinned to her chest. Rodriguez tried to kick herself to the fence so she could try to get up, but Ribas was able to keep her right where she wanted her … near the center of the Octagon. Ribas landed a nice elbow and a few short body blows, while Rodriguez was content to just close a body triangle from below and drive out of the opening frame.
Ribas’ corner advised her to make sure she half waited so she could do more damage, while Rodriguez’s team begged her to get going. Then Rodriguez drops her with a hard shot and starts throwing more unanswered blows … it looks like Ribas is done, but referee Herb Dean does not mention it yet … yet. Rodriguez walks away thinking she won, but Dean informed her she was not done. But Ribas was clearly on her feet – so Rodriguez grabbed her with an elbow, then two blaring right hands, and Dean finally let the action wave as Ribas staggered back and forth.
It looked like Dean Rodriguez was hit during her initial onslaught, which was why she probably walked away. Either way, it did not matter, Rodriguez scored a big win over an emerging emerging player who still has a bright future ahead of him.
This is how you kick off a PPV.
MMAmania.com provides LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the whole UFC 257 PPV main card RIGHT HERE, now immediately.
To view the latest and greatest UFC 257: news and notes from “McGregor vs. Poirier 2”, be sure to check out our extensive event archive. just here.