Tecia Torres successfully stifled Mackenzie Dern’s submission attempts UFC 273, but it wasn’t enough to get the victory.
Dern (12-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC) edged Torres (13-6 MMA, 9-6 UFC) by split decision in a closely contested fight that went the distance. Ultimately, the judges saw it in her favor and rewarded scores of 28-29, 29-28 and 29-28.
The women’s strawweight bout was part of the UFC 273 main card at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla.
The fight started with Torres implementing a ton of movement and avoiding Dern’s advances and attempts to clinch and tie her up. She weaved in and out with punches and low kicks, doing her best to frustrate her opponent. It was a successful approach ,because Dern was unable to take her to the ground in the opening five minutes.
With some desperation mounting early in the second round, Dern charged at Torres and tried to jump for a flying triangle choke, which she quickly transitioned to a standing kimura. against the fence. Torres was certainly uncomfortable, and was forced to go down to the ground with Dern, but she kept her composure from the various submission attempts that came her way. There were some dangerous moments – in particular a leg lock attempt – but Dern ran out of time and couldn’t finish.
The final round of the contest started standing once again, forcing Dern to again press forward against Torres, who was clearly focused on keeping her distance. She miscalculated on a kick, though, which allowed Dern to grab the leg and secure a brief takedown. Torres got the fight upright, and it was a coin toss going into the final two minutes. Torres landed some solid strikes down the stretch, but Dern kept eager and got the nod.
After losing her previous bout to Marina Rodriguez, Dern is back on track and said she wants a big name next.
“Definitely someone in the top five,” Dern said in her post-fight interview with Joe Rogan.
Up-to-the-minute UFC 273 results include:
- Mackenzie Dern def. Tecia Torres via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
- Mark Madsen def. Vinc Pichel via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Ian Garry def. Darian Weeks via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
- Anthony Hernandez def. Josh Fremd via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Raquel Pennington def. Aspen Ladd via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Mike Malott def. Mickey Gall via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:41
- Aleksei Oleinik def. Jared Vanderaa via submission (neck crank) – Round 1, 3:39
- Piera Rodriguez def. Kay Hansen via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Julio Arce def. Daniel Santos via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
