Women’s flyweight action kicked off UFC Houston at the Toyota Center on Saturday, as TUF champ Juliana Miller took on Carli Judice.
Winner of The Ultimate Fighter 30, Miller still had under ten fights of pro experience, and entered off a win over Ivana Petrović. Judice was 2-1 under the UFC banner to start the night, in a match-up that was very much grappler versus striker.
Miller quickly went for the leg in the card’s opening fight, and while she could not convert that takedown immediately, she took Judice to the fence, got ahold of her back, and dragged her down. Seated like a backpack, Miller got her hooks in, though couldn’t quite lock up a body triangle initially. She would, however, get it eventually, all the while sliding an arm under the neck.
Judice was able to turn in and nearly reversed, but in a scramble it was Miller retaking the back. This time, Judice stood up, carrying the TUF champ’s full weight.
Moments later, Judice would free herself, and the back half of the round was much more her style. Stand-up attacks, with Miller trying to counter with takedowns and failing. Judice certainly had some moments though it may not have been enough to win back the round.
The second round was all Judice, all on the feet. She was cutting angles, moving in and out, and landing more often than not. A sizeable gap was forming in terms of significant strikes, with Judice landing effective body kicks and uppercuts. Miller spent most of the round retreating, and her takedown attempts had become labored. Judice landed a knee to the body late, earning an easy 10-9 in the second frame.
Ahead of round three, her Juliana Miller’s corner suggested she needed a finish, giving Judice credit for the first round. Whether that was true or not, it certainly motivated “Killer” Miller who, as she had in round one, came out and got the takedown early. In a scramble, they went to the fence, Judice carrying Miller’s weight. Miller was able to keep Judice down, ride the back, and get hooks in again. A face crank, or just a choke against the jaw, followed. Judice would tough it out, and at the midway point of the round, managed to free herself and return to the feet.
That put the feet back in Judice’s wheelhouse, though Miller did manage to land a left, and overall pressed forward more than she had in round two. They’d finish trading, but the stand-up heavily favored Carli Judice.
Two judges did give Miller a round, but it was Carli Judice coming away with the victory in the end.
Official Result: Carli Judice def. Juliana Miller by unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 30–27)
