Mariya Agapova earned a dominating rebound win over Sabina Mazo at UFC Vegas 39.
A women’s flyweight match-up at Saturday’s UFC Vegas 39 found Sabina Mazo and Mariya Agapova both looking to bounce back from losses last time out.
Agapova had come up short against Shana Dobson well over a year ago in one of the largest betting upsets in UFC history, while Mazo was coming in off a loss to Alexis Davis this past February.
In a stark contrast from her last Octagon appearance, Agapova came out calm and patient. She conceded the center of the cage to Mazo and she instead decided to work on her counter game, and she began to find a home for her right hand. Mazo struggled to find anything meaningful outside of her body kick, mainly because Agapova repeatedly landed combinations and then glided out of trouble. Agapova also hurt Mazo a couple of different times with kicks to the body, it was a dominant first frame for Agapova.
Round two was more of the same for Mazo, as she continued to get chewed up on the counter anytime she threw. Agapova’s straight left landed at will as Mazo began bleeding from the nose as well. Commentary pleaded with Mazo to even just feint a takedown to try and stifle Agapova and she did near the end of the round, but she nearly got caught in a guillotine. The two separated and although Mazo did end the round with a nice flurry, she needed a big comeback in round three.
Mazo came out aggressive in round three, throwing more output than normal but it would soon lead to her downfall. Agapova caught Mazo coming in with a short right hook that put her down badly. Rather than follow up with ground and pound Agapova jumped on with the rear-naked choke attempt and forced the tapout seconds later.
What a performance by @MMA_Mashka 🔥
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— UFC (@ufc) October 9, 2021
Mariya Agapova had a rough night against Shana Dobson last year, but she showed against Mazo why prior to the Dobson bout that many thought she was one of the brightest prospects at 125.
Official Result: Mariya Agapova def. Sabina Mazo via submission (rear-naked choke), Round 3, 0:53
