Andrea Lee, a former LFC champ and once a ranked flyweight in the UFC, was desperately in need of a win at UFC Vegas 103, where she was paired up with JJ Aldrich.
“KGB” Lee had lost five straight, all on the scorecards, with a couple ending in close split decisions. As for Aldrich, she was coming into the fight off a loss to Veronica Hardy, but had won two straight prior to that.
The opening minute of Lee vs. Aldrich was all about the kicks, with both women landing at various points. Mostly low kicks, and a few to the body that came up short. Lee soon found herself holding center, at least momentarily, putting a combination together. Aldrich worked a probing jab, and landed a crisp leg kick about 90 or so seconds in.
It was Aldrich changing levels and landing the first takedown of the fight just past two minutes into the round. Lee was able to quickly scramble to the fence and escape however, not giving Aldrich any time to work. “KGB” was looking a little sharper on the feet in the first half of the round, but that changed later, as a left hand from Aldrich sent her briefly to the canvas— as much a balance issue as a knockdown. Still, with the takedown threat in her back pocket, Aldrich had the edge in the round, and she was able to fend off a late takedown attempt by Lee.
Round two opened with Lee working her hands, then blocking a kick up high. Aldrich seemed to have a little more pop behind her shots, and many of Lees kicks (not to mention a good percentage of her punches) were hitting air. She was active, just not accurate. Aldrich was ahead in that department, and late in the round tied Lee up, though she wasn’t able to get the fight down.
Between rounds, Lee’s corner told her that she was showing Aldrich too much respect, and needed to go out and find the finish. Lee opened the round with a combination, then another, then fired a kick to the body. Aldrich split the guard with her left hand, giving herself some space. Near the midway mark of the final round, Lee grabbed a clinch, firing knees before Aldrich broke free. JJ later pinned Lee to the cage, but couldn’t make anything happen with the position. More boxing/kickboxing followed, before Lee, with just over 90 seconds remaining, shot in on a takedown. It landed, Aldrich nearly reversed, and a scramble led to them going back to the feet.
With her corner screaming “everything you’ve got, non-stop” Lee answered an Aldrich takedown with a guillotine. It was tight, but the finish wasn’t there; still, in a close round, it might have made an impression with the judges. Whether Lee might have won either of the first two rounds was an even bigger question, however. And one that was clearly answered by the judges, who gave JJ Aldrich the unanimous decision victory.
Official Result: JJ Aldrich def. Andrea Lee by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
