Cory McKenna just managed to edge out a split decision win over Kay Hansen tonight in the opening bout of the main card at UFC Fight Night 183 in Las Vegas.
Round One:
McKenna working the jab to start and Hansen is returning fire. Straight punches from Hansen getting through. In close McKenna lands a right hand cleanly, but Hansen connects too.
One-two for McKenna now. Big ladies already landing some nice punches here. Hansen with a leg kick. Right hand for McKenna.
McKenna works Hansen into the clinch against the cage. In the end it’s Hansen who manages to work McKenna to the mat, but only momentarily and then she’s right back up.
Back into the clinch, but then they reset in the center of the Octagon. McKenna with a nice three-piece combo. Another hard exchange as both land punches.
Hard jab for Hansen. Hansen clinches up as she avoids punches. She moves McKenna over to the cage. However McKenna reverses the position and is looking for a takedown. Hansen staying upright for now though and lands a few elbows to the side of the head.
Hansen with a standing guillotine and lands a knee and then another. Again she lands hard with a knee and McKenna drops to her knees.
Hansen taking McKenna’s back now and locks in a body triangle. McKenna throwing punches behind her and they are landing to the head as Hansen just stays clinched to her back.
Round Two:
Leg kick for Hansen. She looks for another kick, but Mckenna lands a counter. Nice punch for Hansen. Jab for her as McKenna steps in.
Hansen into the clinch and goes to the cage again. They break apart again soon afterwards though. Solid body kick for Hansen.
Jab for Hansen as McKenna works an uppercut. Another jab for Hansen. Now an elbow. Push kick from Hansen. Right hand for McKenna.
Another good body kick for Hansen. Now a knee to the body. Jab for Hansen, but then a solid right counter for McKenna.
Hansen goes to the clinch and gets around to McKenna’s back and then brings her down. Hansen working a rear-naked choke.
Nothing doing with the choke for now, but she tries to go for an armbar attempt instead. However, McKenna frees herself quickly and that leaves her on top with 90 seconds to work.
McKenna in Hansen’s full guard here. Body punches for her. Now an elbow to the head. She postures up and lands another elbow. More body work lands to end the round.
Round Three:
Hansen goes for a body kick, but McKenna lands a solid counter to throw her off. Jab for Hansen. Now an elbow.
McKenna pumps out the jab but doesn’t land. Another nice jab for Hansen. Hansen with a one-two and McKenna returns with her own punches.
Another one-two for Hansen. Suddenly Hansen times more punches from McKenna to duck under and get a double leg takedown.
Hansen in half-guard in the center of the Octagon. Hansen appears to be bleeding as she slowly starts to look to pass guard.
A few left hands from Hansen as she still battles to try to get to side control, but then McKenna brings her back to her full guard and starts landing a few elbows from her back.
A few more hard elbows from McKenna. Now a kimura attempt from her as she stays busy from her back. However, Hansen postures and works for an arm triangle attempt. She shifts off to the side, but it’s not going to pay off this time. Seconds later Hansen tries to slide off for another arm triangle attempt, but McKenna manages to execute a reversal to get on top.
Not too long to go and McKenna lands some ground and pound strikes without connecting with anything too meaningful, so we’re headed to the judges.
Decision:
Very closely contested fight then and that’s reflected in a split decision ruling, with McKenna emerging with her hand raised (29-28 x2, 28-29).
