Polyana Viana opened UFC 235 against Hannah Cifers on Saturday night, while TUF 28 featherweight winner Macy Chiasson dropped to bantamweight against Gina Mazany.
UFC 235 goes down Saturday night in Las Vegas, with Jon Jones vs. Anthony Smith topping the bill. More than that light heavyweight gem, however, the card was absolutely stacked. Tyron Woodley vs. Kamaru Usman for the 170lb title. The debut of Ben Askren, taking on Robbie Lawler. Cody Garbrandt, looking to bounce back against Pedro Munhoz. Tecia Torres vs. Weili Zhang.
Even the early fights looked promising. On the televised prelims, Zabit Magomedsharipov vs. Jeremy Stephens practically screamed Fight of the Night. Micky Gall took on Diego Sanchez, with that old lion/young lion dynamic.
On Fight Pass, meanwhile, Macy Chiasson made her bantamweight debut against Gina Mazany. That, after Chiasson won TUF 28 at featherweight. Polyana Viana opened up the card, taking on the soft-spoken but gritty Hannah Cifers at strawweight. Cifers was getting a full training camp for her second UFC fight, after making her debut in Denver, part of the UFC’s 25th anniversary show, last year. Viana, meanwhile, had newfound fame after beating the tar out of a would-be mugger in her native Brazil.
In the featured fight on UFC Fight Pass, Edmen Shahbazyan looked to stay undefeated against Charles Byrd.
Polyana Viana vs. Hannah Cifers
With a full camp behind her, Cifers looked like a different fighter early at UFC 235, from her movement to her physique. Viana had the height and reach advantage, but Cifers was the one pressing forward, threatening with her right hand. Cifers mixed things up, going to the body. Viana would fire off a kick which Cifers caught, but as they went to the ground, Viana looked to secure a toe hold. That opened her up to some punches to the head, however, after which Cifers moved back to her feet, forcing Viana to follow.
Cifers would find plenty of success for her right hand, even scoring a knockdown later in the round. Heading to the second, the bout still felt as if anyone could take it.
Viana opened round two with a teep kick, which Cifers answered with a left. Viana was picking up the pace, leading the attack rather than allowing Cifers to dictate as she had in the first. A left hook knocked Cifers down, and while she quicky regained her feet, Viana pulled guard. That put Cifers in danger, given Viana’s ground game. Viana threw elbows from the bottom, keeping her guard high. She would work to isolate an arm, hoping to get up an arm-bar, while Cifers threw punches when she could find an opening.
After being unable to do much in Viana’s guard, the key for Cifers heading into round three of their strawweight bout at UFC 235 would be to keep the fight standing. However, Viana had added some tricks, including a knee up the middle, and kicks fired at the body. Cifers was still throwing, however, hitting the body, and landing that right hand to the head again. Cifers then caught a kick and landed a right, only to eat a number of knees to the midsection. Off the break, Cifers connected with a left.
At the end of the round, they’d turn it up, both girls swinging away and landing frequently. When the scores were read, it was Cifers picking up the split decision in a close fight.
Hannah Cifers def. Polyana Vianna by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Gina Mazany vs. Macy Chiasson
Macy Chiasson had the obvious height and reach advantage as her bout against Gina Mazany got underway. A long, tall fighter for bantamweight, she relied heavily on her kicks in the opening minute, while Mazany puzzled at how to work her way in. A left hand from Chiasson then rocked Mazany! Then, backing Mazany up against the fence, Chiasson unloaded. Unleashing a flurry of punches, she dropped Chiasson for the finish!
Macy Chiasson def. Gina Mazany by TKO, Round 1, 1:49
Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Charles Byrd
Charles Byrd opened with a leg kick off the opening bell, but it was Edmen Shahbazyan controlling the action initially. He was landing; Byrd then chose to shoot in for a takedown — and he paid for it. Shahbazyan fought off the attempt, Byrd pressed it, and with his back to the fence, Shahbazyan unloaded with elbows and a right hand that put Byrd down.
Edmen Shahbazyan def. Charles Byrd by TKO, Round 1, 0:38
Check back come fight time for full results and a recap of all the early action!
UFC 235 Fight Pass Preliminary Card Results and Recap:
Edmen Shahbazyan def. Charles Byrd by TKO, Round 1, 0:38
Macy Chiasson def. Gina Mazany by TKO, Round 1, 1:49
Hannah Cifers def. Polyana Vianna by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
