The lone newcomer on the UFC Charlotte card was Brazilian striker Tainara Lisboa, set to throw down with Jessica-Rose Clark in a bantamweight match-up.
Lisboa’s signing to the UFC might have had as much to do with her controversial Muay Thai loss to Valentina Shevchenko as it did with her current three-fight win streak — especially given Clark was by far the most experienced opponent she had faced to date.
Both ladies started the fight by throwing good combinations frequently. Both were having success with their hands before Clark shot in. She took a knee for her troubles but she still managed to push Lisboa against the cage. Clark tried to isolate a leg for a single but couldn’t take Lisboa down. That was thanks to Lisboa using a whizzer, and she ended up taking Clark down with a little under a minute left in the round. Not much happened but Lisboa ended the round on top.
In round two Clark landed a nice right hand to start the fight. Gaining some confidence from that she went again and Lisboa tagged her with a right hand. That hurt Clark badly as Clark shot in for a takedown. Clark did get a takedown but Lisboa bounced back up and got space. Back at range Lisboa landed another right and Clark landed an even bigger right hand. Lisboa backed Clark up with a right as it was evident she had more pop in her hands. Clark was landing, but everything Lisboa landed was giving Clark issues. Clark timed a nice takedown entry at the end of the round but didn’t turn the corner to get it down.
In the final round neither fighter wasted any time throwing combos. Lisboa got the best of it but made an error in a takedown where Clark landed on top. Clark landed a nice elbow that cut Lisboa and now both ladies were leaking. Lisboa slowly inched up her legs and eventually went for an armbar but nothing came out of it. Lisboa was able to push down on the head and scramble to take the back. From there she locked in a rear-naked choke, and Clark tapped. The finishing sequence happened so quickly and it was perfectly done from Lisboa.
TAINARA LISBOA, WELCOME TO THE UFC!!!!! 👏👏👏
[ #UFCCharlotte | Prelims LIVE on @ESPN ] pic.twitter.com/WpKWB7a1fZ
— UFC (@ufc) May 13, 2023
Official Result: Tainara Lisboa def. Jessica-Rose Clark by Submission (rear-naked choke), Round 3, 4:20
