With the UFC always in need of fresh faces to bolster their women’s bantamweight division, it was Nora Cornolle making her promotional debut on Saturday, matched up with Joselyne Edwards.
Edwards had won three straight coming into the bout, while Cornolle was making her debut on the strength of six straight wins, having not lost since her first pro fight.
Cornolle landed four leg kicks back to back to start the fight. She landed a nice combination that forced Edwards to clinch up. Edwards was using that head pressure but it was Cornolle using the knees. Edwards was heavy on the takedown and eventually got it. Cornolle tried to explode up at one point and then again was able to and wind up on top. No damage down but Cornolle ended the round on top.
Cornolle landed a big overhand right to start round two. She was throwing a lot of leg kicks but one was caught by Edwards and she got the takedown. Cornolle was using the cage to work back to her feet and eventually did. Edwards got another takedown but Cornolle popped right back up. Cornolle rushed in and Edwards landed a head and arm throw. Cornolle escaped out of the back door and took the back of Edwards. On the back Cornolle ended the round there going for the RNC.
In the final round both girls were very tired. Cornolle got the attention of Edwards with some big punches forcing Edward to clinch up. Cornolle reversed against the cage and landed a few knees to the body. Again Cornolle let herself get taken down with one of those crappy headlock throws. Cornolle gave up her back to Edwards and defended the RNC. She was able to shake off Edwards and get back to her feet. With seconds left some knees in the clinch landed from Cornolle. Come the scorecards, all three scored it for Nora Cornolle, who dropped to her knees overwhelmed with emotion, having won her UFC debut at home.
Official Result: Nora Cornolle def. Joselyne Edwards by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
