Strawweight Cory McKenna had overcome concussions, a viral infection, and other injuries and setbacks to return to the octagon at UFC Vegas 88, where she faced off with ex-LFA champ Jaqueline Amorim.
The bout was McKenna’s first since late 2022; Amorim was last seen in August of last year.
McKenna showed some quick footwork and a leg kick early, while Amorim worked her jab. When they went to the ground off a caught kick, not exactly an unforeseen development, it was McKenna on top, but Amorim threw up a triangle, giving McKenna something to defend. McKenna then hoisted Amorim up and slammed her, but couldn’t break free.
From there, Jaqueline Amorim transitioned to the arm-bar, and had a near-finish, but the ref was a little late, and McKenna hadn’t fully tapped. Amorim, however, backed off, and the ref ordered the pair to keep going even though he initially said stop. Luckily for Amorim, she held on to the submission and moments later McKenna was forced to tap.
A bizarre finish, especially with the confusing call from ref Mike Beltran, but the right fighter won in the end. After the win, Amorim called for a spot on UFC 301 in Rio in May.
Official Result: Jaqueline Amorim def. Cory McKenna by submission (arm-bar), Round 1, 1:38
