Daria Zhelezniakova
The Iron Lady
Russia
Falls apart late
Zhelezniakova lost to Melissa Croden via unanimous decision (28-29, 28-29, 28-29) at UFC Fight Night 273 on Saturday in Winnipeg.
ANALYSIS
Zhelezniakova's plan was clear from the outset, as she continued to circle back to the center of the cage when Croden would try to close the space. This yielded success with strikes from range in Round 1, but the constant movement took its toll, and Croden was able to force her way into the clinch down the stretch. This resulted in Zhelezniakova being bombarded with hard knees and elbows before being taken to the ground and almost finished. Zhelezniakova is a solid kickboxer, but her lack of power or prowess on the ground means she will need to fight perfectly in space for 15 minutes on most nights, which is a hard way to win. She falls to 10-3-0 in professional MMA due to a loss.
Zhelezniakova's plan was clear from the outset, as she continued to circle back to the center of the cage when Croden would try to close the space. This yielded success with strikes from range in Round 1, but the constant movement took its toll, and Croden was able to force her way into the clinch down the stretch. This resulted in Zhelezniakova being bombarded with hard knees and elbows before being taken to the ground and almost finished. Zhelezniakova is a solid kickboxer, but her lack of power or prowess on the ground means she will need to fight perfectly in space for 15 minutes on most nights, which is a hard way to win. She falls to 10-3-0 in professional MMA due to a loss.
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Croden scheduled in Canada
Zhelezniakova (undisclosed) is scheduled to compete against Melissa Croden in a bantamweight fight at UFC Winnipeg on April 18, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Back for UFC Vegas 111, Zhelezniakova was scheduled to fight Luana Santos before withdrawing and getting replaced by Croden, who lost. The 30-year-old Russian will look to take advantage come April 18.
Back for UFC Vegas 111, Zhelezniakova was scheduled to fight Luana Santos before withdrawing and getting replaced by Croden, who lost. The 30-year-old Russian will look to take advantage come April 18.
Removed from UFC Vegas 111 card
Zhelezniakova will no longer face Luana Santos in a bantamweight bout at UFC Vegas 111 on Nov. 8, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
It's unclear why Zhelezniakova has been removed from the card, but she won't get a chance to build on her 2-1 record in the promotion quite yet. Instead, her opponent Santos will now take on Melissa Croden, who is coming off a win in her UFC debut.
It's unclear why Zhelezniakova has been removed from the card, but she won't get a chance to build on her 2-1 record in the promotion quite yet. Instead, her opponent Santos will now take on Melissa Croden, who is coming off a win in her UFC debut.
Fourth UFC fight booked
Zhelezniakova will take on Luana Santos in a bantamweight matchup at UFC Vegas 111 on Nov. 8, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Zhelezniakova is 2-1 with the UFC, most recently taking a unanimous decision over Melissa Mullins in June. She now draws Santos, who is an impressive 4-1 in the UFC, most recently submitting Tainara Lisboa in May to rebound from her only loss. Zhelezniakova has slight height and reach advantages, in addition to superior striking numbers (over a slightly smaller sample size). Santos has the edge in takedown volume -- 1.91 per 15 minutes of fight time -- while Zhelezniakova defends the takedown at just a 50 percent clip. Even in her two wins, she was taken down a combined six times.
Zhelezniakova is 2-1 with the UFC, most recently taking a unanimous decision over Melissa Mullins in June. She now draws Santos, who is an impressive 4-1 in the UFC, most recently submitting Tainara Lisboa in May to rebound from her only loss. Zhelezniakova has slight height and reach advantages, in addition to superior striking numbers (over a slightly smaller sample size). Santos has the edge in takedown volume -- 1.91 per 15 minutes of fight time -- while Zhelezniakova defends the takedown at just a 50 percent clip. Even in her two wins, she was taken down a combined six times.
Gets revenge on Melissa Mullins
Zhelezniakova defeated Melissa Mullins via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Baku, Azerbaijan.
ANALYSIS
It was a strong rebound performance from Zhelezniakova on the heels of her first-round submission defeat to Ailin Perez last September. Entering as a +225 underdog, Daria proved to be well ahead of her opponent on the feet in terms of speed and quickness. She did allow Mullins three successful takedowns, but limited the damage she absorbed in the process. This bout was the exact blueprint for how Zhelezniakova needs to fight moving forward in order to be successful. She's alternated wins and losses in her first three UFC fights, in addition to getting revenge on Mullins after getting knocked out by her in the first fight between the two back in November 2022.
It was a strong rebound performance from Zhelezniakova on the heels of her first-round submission defeat to Ailin Perez last September. Entering as a +225 underdog, Daria proved to be well ahead of her opponent on the feet in terms of speed and quickness. She did allow Mullins three successful takedowns, but limited the damage she absorbed in the process. This bout was the exact blueprint for how Zhelezniakova needs to fight moving forward in order to be successful. She's alternated wins and losses in her first three UFC fights, in addition to getting revenge on Mullins after getting knocked out by her in the first fight between the two back in November 2022.
Taking on Mullins in Baku
Zhelezniakova will fight Melissa Mullins at UFC Baku on Jun. 21, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Zhelezniakova will get her third UFC fight following a loss to Ailin Perez back in September. The Russian bantamweight is now 1-1 in the UFC and will take on a slightly more experienced fighter in Mullins, who is 2-1 with the company. Zheleznyakova is roughly a (+225) betting underdog as of the start of fight week.
Zhelezniakova will get her third UFC fight following a loss to Ailin Perez back in September. The Russian bantamweight is now 1-1 in the UFC and will take on a slightly more experienced fighter in Mullins, who is 2-1 with the company. Zheleznyakova is roughly a (+225) betting underdog as of the start of fight week.