UFC 216 went through a fair amount of upheaval leading into what became a flyweight battle between Mara Romero Borella and Kalindra Faria. Originally, Paige VanZant was expected to meet Jessica Eye on the card, but VanZant was forced to withdraw from the event due to a number of nagging injuries and illnesses. Following that, Andrea “KGB” Lee was signed by the promotion and expected to make her UFC debut against Kalindra Faria, but Lee was forced off the event due to USADA regulations.
Faria, however, stayed on the card, and the UFC have lined Mara Romero Borella up against her. She most recently earned a split decision in Invicta FC against Milana Dudieva.
Borella opened up the pair’s main card affair by immediately taking her opponent down. With Faria with her head to the cage, the position looked uncomfortable, and she would work to reposition using the cage wall. However, Borella was able to step over into full mount, opening up a realm of possibilities for the Italian fighter. She immediately went to work with ground and pound, but soon transitioned to the back, locking in a rear-naked choke. Faria attempted to hold on, but was unable to last and forced to tap.
With that, Mara Romero Borella improved her win streak to four straight, and had a victory in her UFC debut!
Mara Romero Borella def. Kalindra Faria by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 2:24
