Undefeated Viktoria Dudakova fell for the first time when she fought Sam Hughes at UFC Abu Dhabi on Saturday afternoon.
Entering the Contender Series at only 5-0 and then the UFC at 6-0 must have been daunting, but Viktoria Dudakova had passed every test thus far when she met her toughest yet in ‘Sampage.’ Hughes may have had a losing record in the UFC but was known to be always game and had knocked off bright, undefeated prospects before.
The women got straight to action in the first round with a flurry of punches, but soon slowed down into a point-scoring striking contest. Dudakova’s right hand continually landed with significant force before she shot and landed her first takedown. Hughes regained full guard, attempted an omoplata, and used it to sweet and stand up. Sam defended the next two takedowns and began to see the strikes coming her way better. She really upped the volume and tried to overwhelm Viktoria, but Dudakova answered with a big knee and punch late in the round, then a flurry of knees to the body in the clinch.
The striking was even in the second round until Dudakova landed her first takedown of the round, one minute in. Hughes accepted full guard and was held down for two minutes but absorbed little damage before getting back up. Viktoria shot again but failed. In the final minute Hughes began to really pour on the volume and begin to overwhelm her foe. Dudakova shot and failed but turned it into a leg lock, allowing her to stall out the round.
The Russian had recovered somewhat when the final round started but still was desperate to get the fight to the mat. When she shot, Hughes reversed her and landed her own takedown. Sam clearly won the final round from there, likely winning her the right after her onslaught to end the second round probably stole her that one.
However, the judges were split. The first judge bizarrely had it 30-27 Dudakova, but the other two had it correct as they awarded the decision to Sam Hughes.
Official Result: Sam Hughes def. Viktoria Dudakova by Split Decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)
