One of a handful of debuting fighters on Saturday’s UFC 261 card, China’s Na Liang was booked into a tough match-up with Brazilian strawweight Ariane Carnelossi.
Liang, 24 years old but with 14 pro fights already, had something not many strawweights do: a 100% win finishing rate across her 12 wins. However, in Cranelossi, she had a gritty fighter looking for her first UFC win, after a cut in her debut fight with Angela Hill ended her night early.
Fans made their presence felt immediately on Saturday. Liang Na opened with a right hand that floored Carnelossi, and the crowd absolutely erupted to welcome the first live action they had seen in a year. Na then went to the ground with Carnelossi, getting on top of the Brazilian. She worked from half-guard, looking to pull her leg free from Carnelossi’s scissored legs. She did, but Carnelossi was able to scramble out. Na then shot in on her up against the cage, with Carnelossi dropping a few punches, which brought another cheer from the very vocal crowd.
Na, however, would land the takedown. She’d wind up attempting an arm-bar, but that allowed Carenlossi to get on top. An excellent grappling battle ensued, with Carnelossi eventually taking the back. But Na managed to escape, get back up, and land some heavy punches before getting caught in a mounted triangle. The round would end with Carnelossi dropping punches; Na sat in place after the bell, either winded, or unsure if the fight have been waved off.
Between rounds, cornerman and fellow UFC fighter Song Yadong practically dragged Liang Na back to her stool. That likely saved the fight from being ended then and there.
Hammering it on 🔨
🇧🇷 @AnySorriso gets the TKO in the first bout of the night!
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— UFC (@ufc) April 24, 2021
In the second, Na went at Carnelossi, getting the fight down. But Carnelossi took the back, trying for a choke. Na survived, but Carnelossi got on top, dropping hammer fists from guard. An exhausted Na failed to defend herself, and the ref waved it off — but for as long as it lasted, it was a wildly entertaining fight.
Official Result: Ariane Carnelossi def. Na Liang by TKO, Round 2, 1:28
