One of five newcomers on Saturday’s UFC Vegas 72 card, Canada’s Jamey-Lyn Horth, who claimed flyweight gold under the LFA banner, made the move to bantamweight for her debut against Hailey Cowan.
At least, it would have been a bantamweight fight — but with Cowan missing weight, the bout was instead contested at a 137.5lb catchweight.
In the opening round, it was Horth that landed the first big shot, that being a kick to the body. Cowan was throwing kicks as well but nothing landed. Horth landed another really good body kick. A third heavy body kick landed from Horth, who was finding her range with them often. Cowan did land some nice elbows in the clinch getting some respect. In the final minute, Horth landed a head kick that was blocked but still made an impact. It made Cowan shoot in and clinch up with Horth. The head kick caused a cut over the left eye of Cowan.
In the second round, Cowan took center cage and they clinched up. Cowan was definitely wanting to put Horth against the cage where she was stronger. Lacking the technique Horth was able to get away. Horth landed a body kick but that time Cowan caught the leg and got the takedown. Horth did a very nice job of putting her feet on the hips and elevating Cowan to scramble back up. Cowan threw a switch kick and flying knee but it was easy to see she was fatigued. Cowan was much more active in the round however. She landed a nice shovel right hand that got the attention of Horth. The round ended with Cowan throwing Horth to the mat after catching another body kick.
The final round was a must-win situation for both ladies in a close contest. A series of kicks from both women were exchanged before Cowan shot in for a takedown. She didn’t get the takedown but had control time on the cage. Cowan did trip Horth down but Horth immediately scrambled and got to her feet. In the final two minutes Horth was the one landing cleaner with the kicks and trailing punches. Cowan wasn’t getting anything off on the feet but did end the fight getting a takedown.
A close fight, but Horth got the nod on all three scorecards.
Jamey-Lyn Horth takes the win via unanimous decision in her UFC debut 💪#UFCVegas72 pic.twitter.com/ObxwbouKq6
— UFC (@ufc) April 29, 2023
Official Result: Jamey-Lyn Horth def. Hailey Cowan by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
