UFC Austin took place last night in front of a jam-packed crowd and delivered some spectacular fights throughout the evening, with five of the six fights on the preliminary card ending via finish.
Headlining the prelims was the #12 ranked Miesha Tate, who was making her first UFC appearance since her unanimous decision loss to Lauren Murphy at flyweight in July 2022. Returning to bantamweight, the former champion took on the #13 ranked Julia Avila, with the latter opening as the -135 favorite.
Avila returned to the UFC following a similar lay-off and, last time out, impressed with a rear-naked choke victory over Julia Stoliarenko. With a 9-2 record, a win over Tate would add a top name to her resume.
Tate vs. Avila
Round 1
Nullifying Avila’s three-inch reach advantage over the former UFC bantamweight champion, Tate immediately goes for the takedown. She succeeds after thirty seconds of trying to force it against the cage. Tate gets into side control before Avila gives her back and fights off a neck crank.
A dominant opening round so far for Miesha Tate as she gains full mount before Avila turns to her back and eats some hammer fists with Tate positioned behind her. Avila spends the final minute of the first round surviving an onslaught. Surely a 10-8 round.
Round 2
Avila lands a nice combo to open the round but gets taken down again shortly after; she can’t afford another round like this; otherwise, she will require a finish to win the fight.
Tate rains down strikes and gets a stern warning from the referee for grabbing the fence. We approach the halfway mark of the fight, and so far, it’s been a splendid performance from the veteran.
Avila does a good job of defending any openings that allow for a submission attempt, but it’s another stellar five minutes for Tate as she ends round two, landing more strikes from her back.
Round 3
Once again, Tate pressures Avila to the fence and takes the fight to the canvas. 4 out of 5 takedowns have succeeded so far.
Tate secures a rear naked choke, and Avila taps. A big statement from the legend in Austin, as she rolls back the years to secure a win in dominant fashion.
Preliminary fight results from UFC Austin
Veronica Hardy def. Jamey-Lyn Horth via split deicison (29-28 x2, 28-29)
Jared Gooden def. Wellington Turman via rear-naked choke – Round 1
Rodolfo Bellato def. Ihor Potieria via TKO (strikes) – Round 2
Drakkar Klose def. Joe Solecki via KO (slam) – Round 1
Cody Brundage def. Zachary Reese via KO (slam) – Round 1
Miesha Tate def. Julia Avila via rear-naked choke – Round 1
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