Irene Aldana (15-7 MMA, 8-5 UFC) and Karol Rosa (17-6 MMA, 6-3 UFC) put on an all-time bloody classic on the UFC 296 prelims.
Aldana picked up a unanimous decision with strong second and third rounds, but she couldn’t attend her post-fight news conference due to a trip to the hospital, where she met up with an equally battered Rosa to likely celebrate their extra $50,000 each.
It was a tenacious battle between the Mexican and the Brazilian. Rosa had her range down from the outset and started landing solid shots, but Aldana toughed he way through them and started dishing out the damage. Rosa’s face was a complete mess, but she showed tremendous durability and extended the contest to the final bell.
“Karol is a tough, tough fighter,” Aldana said in the aftermath of the win. “It was an honor to face her – she’s one of the toughest challenges I’ve had in my career. … I heard every word (my corners) said. You have no idea how much I trust my team, and I’m so happy to have such great people and coaches with me.”
This story originally appeared on MMA Junkie