Dione Barbosa welcomed Anna Melisano to the octagon on Saturday at UFC Oklahoma City, kicking off the preliminary card.
The women’s flyweight fight found Barbosa entering off close majority decision win over Melissa Gato, while Melisano had won six straight fights and captured the Fury FC crown in the process.
She had also appeared on the current season of TUF, The Ultimate Fighter 33, but was eliminated from the show early.
The first action of the fight was drawn by Barbosa, clinching up in under thirty seconds. She clearly wanted the takedown right away, putting Melisano against the cage. It didn’t take long before she was able to use the knee tap to put Melisano on her back. Barbosa quickly took mount, but while Melisano escaped, she soon gave up her back. Melisano was defending well, fighting the grip and getting back to half guard. Barbosa was constantly attacking as she went for an arm-triangle. She used it to get Melisano to move, and Barbosa took the back with both hooks in. Melisano was able to scramble to her feet, but Barbosa jumped aboard. Barbosa finally found her grip, and Melisano had to tap to the rear-naked choke.
Official Result: Dione Barbosa def. Anna Melisano by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 4:04
