After having a bout fall through just weeks ago at UFC Vegas 43, Cheyanne Vlismas was back in action Saturday at the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s very next event — where she took on Denver native Mallory Martin.
Their strawweight showdown at UFC Vegas 44 saw Martin looking to bounce back from a loss to Polyana Viana back in February. Vlismas was entering the fight with a bit of steam, meanwhile, having finished Glorida de Paula with a head kick this past July.
Cheyanne opened the action with a number of high kicks, and got her hands going shortly after. Martin targeted the body and kept the pressure on Vlismas, who stayed busy, constantly moving. Vlismas appeared to have the speed advantage, but both girls were finding success through the opening two minutes.
Things settle in just a little in the second half of the round, as the pair found their rhythm. Vlismas’ speed advantage may have given her the edge, as Martin was force to chase her opponent just a little too often. They’d clinch a bit in the final minute, both landing, and Vlismas waved her opponent on at the end of the frame.
Round two saw Vlismas on her horse again on the outside. Mallory was throwing hard, and pulling out all the stops, even adding in a spinning back fist. Unfortunately, that sailed way wide; Vlismas, a moment later, landed a counter right hand off another Martin attack. With two minutes left in the frame, Martin closed the distance for a body lock, looking for a takedown. Vlismas fought that off, and by the end of the round, Martin’s nose was showing damage, and she was almost certainly down two rounds.
We need proof!
Has @DC_MMA thrown a baseball 95 mph before? 🔥 #UFCVegas44 pic.twitter.com/QjdWSQHhAV
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
The third round was more of the same. Martin tried to find the takedown early, but couldn’t; she’d been stuffed on each and every attempt. Vlismas stayed mobile, and when the pair traded, she was getting the better of the exchanges. Her counters found their target more often than not, and the evidence thereof was chiseled all over the face of Mallory Martin by the end of the fight.
Official Result: Cheyanne Vlismas def. Mallory Martin by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
