The main event of UFC 237 kicked off with a bantamweight clash between Mexico’s Aldana and Brazil’s Correia. Aldana’s four fights inside the octagon all went the distance and since her first two losses, she has raked up her ammo and improved her fight IQ which was evident in today’s scrap with Correia. Aldana used her height and reach advantage to keep Correia at distance and land some heavy shots. It took a while for Correia to open up in the first round and it looked like the two year long break had an effect on her performance. But the Brazilian came back strong in the second round and turned the fight into a scrappy affair. But an ill-advised take down attempt int he third round turned the fight around. Aldana not only stuffed the take down but also took her back instantly and transitioned into a belly down armbar. Correia had no choice but to tap at 3:24 secs of the third round. Correia hasn’t won since her 2016 win over Jessica Eye and has now lost two in a row. With this victory, Aldana now has three straight wins and gets her first submission inside the octagon.
In her post fight interview Aldana said “I’m more known for my boxing and my striking and I’m glad I could show my jiu-jitsu here … I’m glad I got the victory by armbar.”
3rd round Sub for @IreneAldana_ 🇲🇽
Wow! #UFC237 pic.twitter.com/ONjLQHW6qe
— UFC (@ufc) May 12, 2019