Women’s bantamweights Karol Rosa and Pannie Kianzad closed out the preliminary card at UFC Vegas 95 on Saturday.
The Fight Night event at the UFC Apex found both fighters looking to return to the winner’s circle. Kianzad had lost two straight, to Ketlen Vieira and Macy Chiasson, while Rosa was coming off a single loss to Irene Aldana.
Rosa was ranked #8, Kianzad #11 to start the night.
Kianzad opened the fight with a jab to the body, while Rosa looked to find a home for her low kicks. Kianzad fired back with one of her own, but Rosa landed another, sharper calf kick. And another. Kianzad tried to keep up in the kicking exchanges, but just didn’t have the power behind her own. Rosa then fired a 1-2, with Kianzad returning a jab in response.
Rosa continued to chop the lead leg of Pannie Kianzad, who was already showing damage. An outside kick connected, then another, that nearly took Kianzad off her feet. Soon, Pannie was stepping gingerly on that leg, and opted to switch stances. That bought her some time, but soon enough, Rosa was chopping the opposite leg as well. In the final minute, Kianzad actually fell throwing a kick of her own, unable to support herself on her compromised leg.
Rosa and Kianzad got to trading in the opening minute of round two, Rosa holding her ground throughout the exchanges and mixing in a lead elbow. One of those blows opened up a cut on Kianzad, who was soon leaking blood along the hairline. Rosa continued to chop the legs, and rag-dolled Kianzad a bit. Her face a mask of blood, Kianzad was likely to have some issues with vision at some point, though much of the blood was running alongside her nose.
Clinching up, Rosa fired an elbow, continuing to impose her will. Kianzad was still answering, but throwing less, landing less, and doing far less damage. Rosa’s own face was bloodied, from rubbing against Kianzad in the clinch. Wearing her opponents blood, Rosa kept up the kicks, leading to Kianzad hopping at one point. Pannie did get a decent combo off in the final minute, but it felt like a few more kicks might topple the TUF 28 alum.
Early in the third, Rosa tied things up, with Pannie firing a knee in the clinch. Rosa threw a few weak shots to the body, then looked to land a standing elbow before the broke, moving back to center. Another clinch went nowhere, then Kianzad got her hands going. Rosa, however, opted to take a different track, landing a trip takedown with over three minutes on the clock. Kianzad closed her guard, accepting the position despite the low percentage that she’d be able to win from bottom. At least she wasn’t about to be kicked in the leg with Rosa on top of her.
To her credit, Kianzad, tough as nails throughout the fight, made it back to her feet. A nasty elbow from Rosa with a minute forty left on the clock connected. A combination from Karol Rosa saw lefts and rights land. Kianzad held on, landing some short right hands in a clinch along the fence. Rosa put her weight on her, battling for position and perhaps a takedown. 45 seconds to go, and there was little question that, barring a miracle, Karol Rosa had the fight in the bag. One more elbow eaten by Kianzad, another flurry, and some knees, and the horn sounded to close things out. Zero question whatsoever as to the winner. A worthy scrap for the featured prelim spot.
Official Result: Karol Rosa def. Pannie Kianzad by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
