Job security is an ever-present concern in MMA, where a bad night or two at the office can end in a pink slip. Outside of the sport’s biggest stars, it sometimes feels like everyone is on the bubble. In the case of Gina Mazany and Rachael Ostovich at UFC Vegas 15, they very much were. Both fighters were mired in slumps that put their spot on the roster in a precarious position; Ostovich herself admitted as much during the event’s media day.
Ostovich was 1-2 in the UFC, having fought just once a year since 2017. A myriad of mishaps had kept her from competing on a regular basis, and cut her some slack, but a third consecutive loss would be disastrous.
Mazany, meanwhile, was on her second run with the UFC, but with a 1-4 record between two stints, she was badly in need of a win as well. “Danger” was also dropping to flyweight for the first time at UFC Vegas 15.
Gina Mazany looked to put the pressure on early on Saturday night, but Ostovich answered by landing a body kick. The Hawaiian’s hands got going as well, so Mazany went the takedown route, taking the back and locking on a body triangle. That was bad news early in a fight with both ladies dry. Ostovich broke free and scrambled out, however, leaving the pair back on their feet. Ostovich found her range, landing overhands and hooks, leading Mazany to tie her up against the fence, kneeing her opponent’s thigh and no doubt thinking of taking the fight back down.
That didn’t happen — but Mazany had the fight back to the ground early in the second. Ostovich immediately looked for an arm-bar from bottom. Back on the feet, a bit of a brawl erupted until Mazany initiated another takedown and moved to mount. Ostovich eventually worked her way up, with Mazany keeping the pressure on, taking the back and throwing her back down. Mazany’s wrestling was making all the difference, with Ostovich being controlled, and soon pieced up a bit one the feet as well.
Round three saw Mazany immediately tie her opponent up. Hawaii’s Ostovich looked exhausted. She managed to fight off a takedown, however. On the feet, she was still landing, but Mazany was as well. Including a nasty kick to the body. When Mazany took the back, she unloaded on Ostovich, who was forced to cover up. Ostovich showed her Hawaiian fighting spirit, enduring the beating and getting back to her feet. But another kick to the body then put her down, and gave Mazany the finish!
Powerful shots to the body earns @GinaDangerAK the 3rd round finish!
📺 #UFCVegas15 live on ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/yvpY2kBSVt
— UFC (@ufc) November 29, 2020
Gina Mazany looked like a new fighter at UFC Vegas 15. Her strikes were on-point, her wrestling dominant, and her kicks served as the icing on the cake. It’s a fresh start for “Danger” who appears to have found a new home at 125lbs.
Official Result: Gina Mazany def. Rachael Ostovich by TKO, Round 3, 4:10
