Bellator 185 saw the promotional debut of yet another pro boxer, this time Ana Julaton. Julaton, who went 2-2 with ONE Championship in her initial foray into MMA, was on a collision course wiyth Heather Hardy, or so it seemed. Julaton just needed to pick up a win in her big debut in Uncasville, CT on Friday.
Opposite her in the Bellator cage, looking to play spoiler was Lisa “Insane” Blaine. At 1-0 as a pro, Blaine was also making her pro debut.
Julaton opened the action with a couple of kicks, but Blaine was clearly more concerned about her opponent’s hands, as she kept her own high. The former boxer stayed patient early, working in a number of leg kicks as the round wore on. At the midway point, the pair clinched with Blaine pressing her foe against the fence; Julaton reversed only to be turned back around herself. A takedown to end the round saw Blaine land in side control, and we’d get to see how Julaton would fare off her back in the final minute. She proved able to regain her feet, getting back up almost immediately, but had to be careful to avoid Blaine’s front choke.
Julaton looked to get her jab going early in round two, but wound up catching a Blaine kick and looking for a takedown. That wasn’t there, and the pair eventually found themselves clinching for a good chunk of time. When the broke, Julaton seemed to come alive a litt,e but another clinch and a takedown put her back on the hot seat. She’d manage to work her way on top, however, and look to make space in Blane’s closed guard.
The third saw Ana Julaton finally open up more, getting her hands and kicks going, but Blaine was able to catch a kick early and drop Julaton on her back. From half guard, Blaine went to work, but Julaton was able to force her back into her closed guard. Julaton would look to land some strikes from the bottom, and threaten with upkicks to make it back to her feet in the final thirty seconds. That would give her a chance to throw hands one last time, but it was too little, too late. Julaton’s coming out party fizzled, with Blaine scoring the victory.
Lisa Blaine def. Ana Julaton by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
