Under other circumstances, Norma Dumont would be fighting for a title, not taking on Joselyne Edwards in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 116 on Saturday.
Normal circumstances are not where the UFC women’s bantamweight division finds itself, however. Amanda Nunes, back from retirement, is waiting for champ Kayla Harrison to return from injury. That means Dumont had to fight on despite owning a six-fight win streak. Edwards meanwhile had four wins and four finishes on her current run.
After some feeling out Edwards went the grappling route in the opening round, getting the fight against the fence and looking for a way to take Dumont down. When that finally succeeded, however, it was Dumont landing on top, Edwards’ plan having backfired. Dumont was in half-guard, looking to pull her leg through and move to mount, or set up a choke with one arm around Edwards’ neck. That wouldn’t pan out, and they’d head to round two.
More of a standup affair with exchanges of kicks opened round two. Edwards threw a little harder, trying to open up a bit. Dumont stayed outside, choosing her moments to close the distance. Throughout the fight, Edwards didn’t seem to show much respect to Dumont’s power. And by the time the third round arrived, it was close.
Dumont fired kicks and her right hand in the third, Edwards launching kicks in return. More standup, with Dumont circling outside. Edwards would clinch up with two minutes or so left, taking the fight to the fence. Edwards fired knees but Dumont was able to get off the fence, get a Thai plum on and fire a knee or two of her own. In the final minute they traded hard leg kicks then let the hands go, until the final horn blared.
In the end, the judges sided with Edwards, who was happy to push forward most of the fight. That ends Dumont’s streak, but Edwards has now won five straight.
Official Result: Joselyne Edwards def. Norma Dumont by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
