Flyweights Jamey-Lyn Horth and Ivana Petrovic both entered Saturday’s UFC Edmonton with 1-1 records inside of the octagon. They became the first fighters to compete under the new ruleset legalizing the dreaded 12-6 elbow as well as redefining what constitutes as a downed fighter.
While Horth was looking to bounce back from a loss against Veronica Hardy, Petrovic had picked up her first UFC win last time out, over Na Liang.
The fight began with Petrovic flashing a couple high kicks in the opening seconds of the bout. Horth clipped Petrovic with a punch, that triggered Petrovic to frantically initiate the clinch. The two fighters tumbled against the cage, as Petrovic got to work peppering the body of her opponent with short shots. Horth looked to gain control, finally gaining the underhook and reversing Petrovic’s back against the cage. In the next moment, Petrovic was able throw her Jamey-Lyn onto her back. From there, Petrovic continued to work but didn’t land anything too damaging with her ground control time. As the fight moved back to standing, Horth dragged her opponent to the ground looking for a rear naked choke. However, Horth slid off the front and the round ended with Petrovic working back to a dominate side control position on the ground pelting her opponent with hammer fists.
The second round began with Petrovic catching a body kick from her opponent and dragging her to the ground. Horth worked from guard and angled off to the side looking for an arm bar. Petrovic stacked and tried to spin out, but Horth had the attempt in deep. The two fighters stayed in this perilous position for the better part of two minutes before Petrovic escaped. Petrovic looked to protest a wardrobe malfunction as the two fighters returned to their feet. However, the ref instructed them to fight on. In the final minute of the round, both fighters began to let their hands go. Horth moved forward throwing pot shots and in the final seconds of the round, defended a well-timed takedown with a deep sprawl.
To start the final round Horth went right back to plodding forward looking to land some offense. Jamey-Lyn also had a lot of success with parrying the jab of Ivana. Horth crashed into Petrovic, initiating the clinch against the cage but didn’t land too much in the position as the two women jostled for an advantage.
Once back in space both women looked fatigued but began to pour on the volume. Petrovic’s strikes were looking a little crisper than Jamey’s as midway thru the round she struck back into the clinch. Petrovic went back to the well looking for the head and arm throw again but wasn’t able to get it. Horth was able to land a takedown of her own and began to look for an armbar again. Ivana was able to evade it and ended up on top until Horth craftily tripped her, from the ground, and returned to her feet. The pace of the fight was frantic as this point. Horth kept moving forward, with Petrovic backing away and circling, countering with her hands. Petrovic defended a last second takedown against the cage as the time expired and both fighters were separated.
Official Result: Jamey-Lyn Horth def. Ivana Petrovic by Split Decision, (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
