UFC Newark kicked off with a pair of undefeated debuting fighters, and it was Miranda Granger who got the better of Hannah Goldy to start the night.
Miranda Granger is undefeated like her opponent, but has finished all six of her opponents within eight minutes ahead of UFC Newark. The career strawweight is moving up to flyweight for her debut, but plans on moving back down to strawweight after this short notice bout. Granger won the CFFC strawweight title in her last appearance.
Hannah Goldy is known as “The Queen of Sparta” and comes into her promotional debut at UFC Newark undefeated at 5-0. Goldy holds a win over top strawweight contender Gillian Robertson and defeated Kali Robbins on the Contender Series this summer. She did not receive a UFC contract that night, but has reached the big stage regardless.
Leg kicks from both fighters started the flyweight contest. The taller Miranda Granger came in with a right hand but ate a left hook on the way out. Both women traded hard punches before another wild exchange in which Hannah Goldy caught Granger with a hard right hand. Granger pinned Goldy against the cage in response before hitting her opponent with a nice elbow on the exit. A slick combination that included a body kick landed for Goldy, who was neutralizing the seven-inch reach disadvantage she was facing. After a tentative minute or so, Granger landed a heavy combination then went to the clinch. The fighters reversed positions several times against the cage before Granger held Goldy against the fence for nearly the remainder of the round.
Cageside Press scored the round 10-9 Hannah Goldy
A solid leg kick started the second round for Granger, followed by a few more. A pair of combinations landed for Granger, who was looking good to start the middle stanza. Goldy landed a leg kick of her before getting caught with a heavy left hand that sent her backward. Granger didn’t follow up, but began to increase her output. Goldy landed a hard left followed by a head kick and a lead leg side kick that caught Granger’s attention. Goldy landed another combination then a beautiful side kick to close out the round.
Cageside Press scored the round 10-9 Miranda Granger
After touching gloves to start the final round, Granger took the center of the Octagon and landed a stiff jab. Granger lost her footing for a moment after a head kick attempt, but nothing came of it. She then came flying in with an elbow that caught Goldy. Goldy took the center of the cage but couldn’t reach her with a head kick. Goldy was struggling to close the distance before grazing Granger with a head kick, eating a leg kick in return. Granger then landed a head kick. The side kick landed for Goldy again, then another head kick, but Granger pushed her aside, landing a heavy combination to close out the contest.
Cageside Press scored the round 10-9 Miranda Granger (29-28 Granger)
Miranda Granger def. Hannah Goldy by Unanimous Decision (30-27 x3)
Check out all the results from UFC Newark here!
