Sabina Mazo started UFC Vegas 10 with a great come-from-behind win, landing a head kick then submitting Justine Kish late in the third round.
Justine Kish and Sabina Mazo looked to climb up the flyweight ranks at UFC Vegas 10 to kick off the card. Kish has had plenty of setbacks in her career and this is the first time she has fought twice in a calendar year since 2016. She’s 3-2 in the Octagon with a win over Nina Ansaroff and is coming off a win over Lucie Pudilova.
Mazo started her career with six straight wins, then joined the UFC. She’s bounced back from a debut loss to Maryna Moroz with wins over Shana Dobson and JJ Aldrich.
Sabina Mazo came out with a high kick right out of the gate and Justine Kish responded with a trio of leg kicks. Kish was committed to kicking the long legs of Mazo, then ended a combination with a leg kick. Mazo caught Kish with a big head kick that stunned Kish for a moment. She bounced back by pounding away at the lead leg of Mazo. Kish was cut open, but landed a back kick to the body. Another trio of leg kicks landed for Kish, who had over 15 by the halfway point of the round. Kish doubled up on the leg kick then landed a backfist up top. There was a bit of a lull in the action, then Mazo landed a jab that Kish answered with another bunch of leg kicks. A spinning backfist landed for Kish, who caught a kick and subsequently took Mazo down. Mazo locked her up in guard, limiting Kish to getting just two punches through before the end of the round.
Mazo started the second round with a few leg kicks. Kish went away from the leg kicks early on and was going from punching combinations, but nothing was landing clean. Mazo landed another kick to the lead leg of Kish, giving her a taste of her own medicine. There was a brief Thai clinch exchange, but neither woman had enough space to land. Two minutes in, Kish caught a kick, bailed on the takedown then landed a beautiful jumping head kick in the same motion. Mazo retook control of the Octagon then ate a big backfist. Mazo had control of where the fight was taking place, but it was Kish who was in control. Mazo was able to land a kick, but had her second one caught and remained on her feet. Kish went for a straight takedown, but it was thwarted by Mazo, who avoided a spinning backfist on the exit as the round came to a close.
Kish and Mazo met in the middle right away and started exchanging. Mazo ate a few body punches, then she landed three head kicks in the span of 20 seconds. Kish’s aggressiveness was slowed tamed, and Mazo took advantage with a few leg kicks. A strong punch combination landed for Mazo, who was taking over in the final round. Kish was struggling to get by the jab of Mazo, but then was able to land an overhand right. Kish went back to the leg kicks, then ate a combo. Mazo then dropped Kish with a picture-perfect head kick, jumped on her back, then locked up a rear-naked choke. Kish couldn’t escape and was forced to tap.
All hail the 'Colombian Queen!' 👑
🇨🇴@SabinaMazo's headkicks just COULDN'T BE STOPPED.
[ #UFCVegas10 – LIVE on #ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/sH8tix22iT
— UFC (@ufc) September 12, 2020
Sabina Mazo def. Justine Kish by Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) in Round 3 (3:57)
