Unbeaten Invicta FC standout Fatima Kline made her short-notice UFC debut on Saturday, facing #15-ranked women’s flyweight Jasmine Jasudavicius at UFC Denver.
Moving up in weight to get her foot in the door, strawweight Kline was facing a longer, more experienced opponent, but had all the tools to go far in the UFC– though 115lbs was by far her better option.
The fight kicked off and Kline took the center of the cage. Jasudavicius was the one getting off her strikes early using her range. Kline wasn’t throwing hardly anything to start but timed a kick and got the takedown. Jasudavicius was using the butterfly guard and used it to explode to her feet and get Kline’s back. Jasudavicius only had one hook in but was threatening with the RNC. Kline fought wrists well but you could see the clear size disadvantage she was fighting at. Jasudavicius was strong on top landing a few smashing elbows. Jasudavicius ended the round on the back of Kline making her uncomfortable.
To start round two Jasudavicius was pressing forward. Kline started to let her hands go and landed with a nice right hand. A stiff jab from Jasudavicius landed and a good one-two from Kline. Jasudavicius kept the pressure and landed a straight to the body before locking up against the cage. Kline reversed Jasudavicius and got to a good position but Jasudavicius regained full control. She used that size to tear Kline back to the mat and returned to control of the back. Jasudavicius got both hooks in and ended round going for an armbar.
In the final round Kline was definitely in need of a finish. She knew that too as she came out firing with a barrage of punches. She even dropped Jasudavicius to a knee at a point. A big left-right landed from Kline as she was going for it. You could see the cardio draining of Kline and Jasudavicius eventually cliched her up against the cage. Jasudavicius got the takedown fairly easily putting Kline in a familiar position. Kline used the cage to scramble to her feet but right back down she went. Jasudavicius ended the fight on the back threatening the RNC.
All three judges scored the fight for Jasmine Jasudavicius, with triplicate 30-27 scorecards.
Official Result: Jasmine Jasudavicius def. Fatima Kline by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
