Poliana Botelho
Brazil
Losing streak hits three
Botelho lost to Karine Silva via submission (Brabo Choke) at 4:55 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Fringe roster fighters such as Botelho have difficulty at times getting back on track when things start to get out of hand, and that's exactly what happened here. Poliana appeared to be on her way to winning a first round in which not a whole lot was going on, but Silva tackled her to the mat late in the frame, and after a flurry of shots from top position, was able to choke her out. It's a career-altering loss for Botelho, as she has now dropped three straight and four of five, and has just a single victory dating back to May 2018. It's probably considerably worse than fifty/fifty that the Brazilian will receive another opportunity with the company.
Fringe roster fighters such as Botelho have difficulty at times getting back on track when things start to get out of hand, and that's exactly what happened here. Poliana appeared to be on her way to winning a first round in which not a whole lot was going on, but Silva tackled her to the mat late in the frame, and after a flurry of shots from top position, was able to choke her out. It's a career-altering loss for Botelho, as she has now dropped three straight and four of five, and has just a single victory dating back to May 2018. It's probably considerably worse than fifty/fifty that the Brazilian will receive another opportunity with the company.
Fight Log
Loading Fight Log...
More Fantasy News
Set to face Karine Silva
Botelho (undisclosed) will fight Karine Silva at a UFC event on June 4, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport Nederland reports.
ANALYSIS
Botelho was on track to take on Ji Yeon Kim at the end of January at UFC 270, but the booking was ultimately canceled. The 33-year-old has not experienced much success over the last few years, losing three of her last four bouts, and most recently losing to Luana Carolina in May of 2021. Botelho will have her hands full with Silva, who will be looking to make a splash in her first UFC fight.
Botelho was on track to take on Ji Yeon Kim at the end of January at UFC 270, but the booking was ultimately canceled. The 33-year-old has not experienced much success over the last few years, losing three of her last four bouts, and most recently losing to Luana Carolina in May of 2021. Botelho will have her hands full with Silva, who will be looking to make a splash in her first UFC fight.
Fight with Ji Yeon Kim cancelled
Botelho (8-4-0) is no longer scheduled to face Ji Yeon Kim (9-4-2) in a Jan. 22 flyweight bout at UFC 270 in Anaheim, as the promotion is expected to cancel the booking, Farah Hannoun and Nolan King of USA Today report.
ANALYSIS
An explanation behind the cancellation isn't known, but one of the two fighters is presumably dealing with an injury, illness or visa issues with the event less than two weeks away.
An explanation behind the cancellation isn't known, but one of the two fighters is presumably dealing with an injury, illness or visa issues with the event less than two weeks away.
Draws Kim in 2022
Botelho will take on Ji Yeon Kim in a flyweight matchup at the UFC event scheduled for Jan. 22, John Hyon Ko of The All Star Sport reports.
ANALYSIS
Botelho has lost back-to-back fights, but her most recent defeat came via split decision against a heavy Luana Carolina in May. Kim has also dropped back-to-back fights, though she was a recipient of a Fight of the Night bonus in last September's loss to Molly McCann. Botelho is an inch taller, but will be giving up a whopping five inches in reach for this matchup. She'll also be at a major statistical disadvantage in striking volume, so it wouldn't be surprising to see her look to get this to the mat early in an attempt to exploit Kim's poor 40 percent takedown defense.
Botelho has lost back-to-back fights, but her most recent defeat came via split decision against a heavy Luana Carolina in May. Kim has also dropped back-to-back fights, though she was a recipient of a Fight of the Night bonus in last September's loss to Molly McCann. Botelho is an inch taller, but will be giving up a whopping five inches in reach for this matchup. She'll also be at a major statistical disadvantage in striking volume, so it wouldn't be surprising to see her look to get this to the mat early in an attempt to exploit Kim's poor 40 percent takedown defense.
Crushing defeat in Vegas
Botelho lost to Luana Carolina via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 28-29) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
It's an absolutely crushing defeat for Botelho. Yes, Carolina missed weight by 2.5 pounds on Friday morning, but that doesn't excuse Botelho's performance. She easily won Round 1 before generating next to no offense over the course of the final ten minutes. Botelho allowed Carolina to land 100-of-130 total strikes, a staggering number considering Carolina's lack of explosiveness. The roof has caved in on Botelho since winning her first two UFC bouts. She has gone 1-3 in her last four fights dating back to November 2018.
It's an absolutely crushing defeat for Botelho. Yes, Carolina missed weight by 2.5 pounds on Friday morning, but that doesn't excuse Botelho's performance. She easily won Round 1 before generating next to no offense over the course of the final ten minutes. Botelho allowed Carolina to land 100-of-130 total strikes, a staggering number considering Carolina's lack of explosiveness. The roof has caved in on Botelho since winning her first two UFC bouts. She has gone 1-3 in her last four fights dating back to November 2018.
Fighting heavy opponent
Botelho will take on a heavy opponent in Luana Carolina on Saturday, per Dana White.
ANALYSIS
Botelho's opponent, Carolina, came in 2.5 pounds over the limit for the bout after taking the fight just under a month before the scheduled date. Despite giving up a couple of extra pounds, Botelho remains the betting favorite at approximately -250 and may take home a little larger portion of the purse as a result.
Botelho's opponent, Carolina, came in 2.5 pounds over the limit for the bout after taking the fight just under a month before the scheduled date. Despite giving up a couple of extra pounds, Botelho remains the betting favorite at approximately -250 and may take home a little larger portion of the purse as a result.