Shauna Bannon and Sam Hughes kicked off Saturday’s UFC Paris card in a women’s strawweight scrap at the Accor Arena in Paris, France.
Both Bannon and Hughes came in hot, looking to build on back-to-back wins in the fight. What unfolded turned out to be a one-sided affair however.
Sam Hughes opened up the action moving forward, taking some big, wild swings at times and forcing Bannon to backpedal. Things settled down after a moment, Bannon went after a takedown; that was stuffed, and “Sampage” Hughes then landed her own. Working inside Bannon’s closed guard, Hughes was tight to the body, without much space to work. Hughes tried to posture up, while Bannon tied things up, leading to a ref warning for the lack of action. Bannon was actually looking busier off her back with punches, albeit particularly ineffective ones.
Hughes finally made enough space to land a solid right hand, leading to a reprieve from the ref. She moved into a crucifix next, landing more damage, though Bannon was able to get out of that dicey spot. What she could not do was get off her back, as Hughes remained on top, getting back to side control. Bannon gave up her back with 30 seconds left, allowing Hughes to threaten with a choke despite being out of position. Bannon made it back up at the end of the round, though she’d quite clearly lost it on the scorecards.
Hughes had the fight back to the mat inside of a minute in round two care of a caught kick. That allowed Hughes to get back in the driver’s seat, landing punches and elbows while Bannon looked to scramble free, at times threatening with an upkick. Hughes, however, made it made to side control instead. Again, Bannon gave up her back and this time, Hughes had hooks in, and before long the rear-naked choke in! Bannon had to tap, and Hughes scaled the cage to celebrate.
Official Result: Sam Hughes def. Shauna Bannon by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 2, 1:58
