Ji Yeon Kim’s pressure was simply too much for Nadia Kassem at UFC 243, as the South Korean fighter finished the bout in the second round.
Australia’s own Nadia Kassem was back in action at UFC 243. Kassem, who dropped her last fight to Montana De La Rosa at UFC 234, also in Australia, was facing Korean Ji Yeon Kim. Kim missed weight for the fight, resulting in a catchweight 128lb contest. Making a win all the more important for Kim. Kassem, meanwhile, had fought all of her professional bouts on home soil, and would have the crowd at her back.
‘Fire Fist’ Kim lived up to her name early, catching Kassem charging in with a punch, knocking her down. Kassem survived the early scare, and the pair would end up in a clinch, where Kassem landed a standing elbow. The pair would then engage in some back-and-forth on the feet. Kassem targeted the body, utilized super-man strikes, but generally had issues with volume. Kim took a more traditional approach, but had the edge in volume.
Round two saw Kassem on the outside, and about a minute in, Kim pressed forward with a combo. Kassem escaped danger, and used a body kick repeatedly for force her opponent back. Near the two minute mark, Kim again came on strong with a combo, connecting several times. Kassem lost her mouth piece, and just as Kim was getting the upper hand, the ref halted the action to retrieve it. That gave Kassem a chance to recover, and as they were restarted, Kassem managed to get in a few strikes of her own. But it was Kim taking control of the round, tagging Kassem several more times. Kassem’s head snapped back as Kim landed, and the Australian turned her back, barely defending while under fire against the cage. A body shot finished it off, and Ji Yeon Kim had the win!
At 4:59 of round 2!
Ji Yeon Kim tees off, then puts Kassem away with a nasty body shot! #UFC243 pic.twitter.com/WA1VJRW2Bs
— UFC (@ufc) October 5, 2019
Official Result: Ji Yeon Kim def. Nadia Kassem by TKO, Round 2, 4:59
