The main event was easily the fight of the night, as Rose Namajunas showcased her improvements as a fighter with a stunningly dominant performance against the UFC’s handpicked star Paige VanZant.
Check out a snippet from our play-by-play below:
R4: VanZant initiates another clinch only to be taken down by Namajunas, who’s putting on nearly a flawless display. VanZant rolls onto on hip and this time Namajunas postures up to isolate an arm with the kimura grip. Namajunas falls back, perhaps looking to switch to a straight armbar, and VanZant, showing a big heart, fights her way out of it. Unfortunately for her, she’s turtled with Namajunas in the half back-ride.
VanZant stands and looks to break the grip on Namajunas’s rear waist cinch. Namajunas peels her away from the fence and VanZant tries a somersault escape but ends up giving up her back. She continues to roll and Namajunas isolates an arm and falls back into an armbar. VanZant perseveres through an odd-angled arm to roll into Namajunas and break the hold, getting in top position for the first time. The victory is ephemeral as Namajunas quickly reverses her. VanZant stands up and breaks the rear waist lock but can’t shake Namajunas. They separate with a few seconds left and Namajunas takes her down again. 10-8 Namajunas.
R5: VanZant attacks valiantly but Namajunas gets in on a single, then switches to a body lock to complete the takedown. Half guard for Namajunas, cradling a leg and looking for back mount but VanZant flattens herself out to regain half guard. VanZant is staying busy with escape attempts but Namajunas has an answer for everything. She takes back control and this time is able to cinch on a rear-naked choke and force VanZant to cry uncle.