Karol Rosa and Aylin Perez at UFC 311 ceremonial weigh-in Credit: Gabriel Gonzalez/Cageside Press
In the only women’s fight on the UFC 311 card, bantamweights Karol Rosa and Aylin Perez clashed in Saturday’s early preliminary round.
Rosa made the inspired choice to walk out to Metallica’s “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” but unfortunately for her, it wasn’t Perez who was being tolled.
Perez goes for a bodylock early, but Rosa fights him off. However, a second takedown attempt by Perez was successful and the Argentine changed levels and powered through, leaving Rosa on her back. Perez had plenty of time on top and neither fighter seemed to show much urgency. Perez eventually stepped over and moved into half guard, gaining position and threatening mount. Instead, she was pushed back by an upkick. Perez then allowed Rosa to return.
With just under two minutes left in the opening round, Rosa hits a low kick. More kicks followed and Perez threatened to catch them. With just 60 seconds remaining, Perez fired a spinning backfist. They would end the round with Perez clearly taking it away.
The second round began with a blow from Aylin Perez, leading to a brief stoppage. From there, they both moved their feet back and forth. Perez added another spinning backfist. Rosa gave Perez a walk and hit a one-two. Perez fights back with a body kick. Rosa seemed to be finishing her run, but with about two minutes left, Aylin Perez finally got a takedown and grabbed her leg, flipping Rosa onto her back. She ends the round there and could turn around after a strong start from Carol Rosa.
Rosa began the third and final round with a low kick, and Perez changed his stance accordingly. Perez mixed in high kicks to the body and withstood Rosa’s solid striking. Perez was in the driver’s seat when they tied up against the fence. They were on a break and Rosa was given a little time to recover, but Perez continued to stay there in the striking fight. Another spinning attack landed on Perez. She touched the inside of the leg with a kick. Rosa landed back with a strong outside leg kick.
With no end in sight, Aylin Perez and Karol Rosa will go all the way in their fourth straight fight since the start of UFC 311.
Official result: Aylin Perez def. Karol Rosa unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
