Roxanne Modafferi is winless in the UFC no more. The Happy Warrior smashed veteran Barb Honchak in a rematch of their 2011 bout, and picked up her first UFC win in the process.
In what easily could have been the TUF 26 Finale, Roxanne Modafferi and Barb Honchak met instead at The Ultimate Fighter 27 Finale. ‘The Happy Warrior’ was chasing her first UFC win despite having challenged for the inaugural women’s flyweight title in the promotion. Honchak was chasing redemption after also being a top seed on TUF 26, which introduced the weight class. She was also looking to make her career series with ‘The Happy Warrior’ 2-0.
That, however, was not in the cards. Modafferi got her jab going early, throwing two-punch combinations, and moving in and out at angles. Honchak used her right hand to try to stave off the jab, then fired off counters. Both women landed early, but at the midway point of the round, it was Roxanne Modafferi who took the fight to the ground, scoring a key takedown in a close round. In half guard, she began to work to pass. While she couldn’t get to mount, some nasty elbows helped keep Honchak at bay, and ‘The Happy Warrior’ spent the second half of the round in control.
Round two saw a scramble early that allowed Roxy to get on top. She began unleashing a number of elbows as Honchak covered up. Modafferi worked from half guard, with plenty of time on the clock. More elbows and punches to the side of the head followed. Then, Modafferi moved to mount. Honchak gave up her back. The elbows continued to flow, and all Honchak could do was cover up. The ref had seen enough – and The Happy Warrior had her first UFC victory, and an impressive finish!
The 😊Warrior!@RoxyFighter gets the win! #TUF27 pic.twitter.com/wBruvVaZXm
— UFC (@ufc) July 7, 2018
Roxanne Modafferi def. Barb Honchak by TKO, Round 2, 3:32
