- Calgary bantamweight Melissa (Scare) Croden secures her second win in the UFC with a dominant performance against Tainara Lisboa.
- Croden faces Brazil’s Luana Santos on Saturday in Las Vegas as part of the UFC’s final show of the year.
- The 34-year-old paramedic aims to showcase her grappling skills against a high-level grappler.
- Luana Santos, ranked 15th among 135-pound contenders, is an accomplished grappler with four submission wins in the UFC.
Melissa Croden’s Journey to the UFC
In winning her UFC debut on October 18 in Vancouver, Canadian bantamweight Melissa (Scare) Croden demonstrated that she is a force to be reckoned with. Facing Tainara (Thai Panther) Lisboa, Croden showcased remarkable resilience and skill, securing a decisive victory.
First Round Analysis
The fight began with a slim edge in significant strikes for Croden, who had a 27-25 lead after the first round. However, it was clear that Lisboa was not going down without a fight as she bloodied Croden, showing her capability to put up a tough challenge.
Second Round Turnaround
A timely advice from her corner about moving her feet more helped Croden get into the flow. By the second round, the tide had turned significantly in favor of Croden as she held a 33-13 advantage in significant strikes. Despite being lucky to survive this round, Lisboa was visibly struggling.
Third Round Dominance
The third round was one-way traffic with Croden ahead by a wide margin of 39-4 in significant strikes before referee John Cooper stepped in to end the fight at 28 seconds remaining. This decisive performance solidified Croden’s status as a serious contender.
Return to Action and Future Challenges
Croden returns to action on Saturday, December 13, facing Brazil’s Luana Santos in Las Vegas. Despite being ranked 15th among 135-pound contenders, Santos is an accomplished grappler with a black belt in judo and four submission wins in the UFC.
Height Advantage
Croden’s five-foot-nine-inch frame gives her a significant height advantage over Santos, who has a three-inch edge. However, Croden remains confident, stating that she is not afraid of being taken down and will use this opportunity to showcase her grappling skills.
Health Considerations
Croden’s decision to fight again so soon after her debut was influenced by medical advice, which led to the bout being pushed back. Nevertheless, she views it as a “huge opportunity” despite facing a formidable opponent like Santos.
Background and Context: The Calgary MMA Scene
The Canadian city of Calgary has seen an increasing presence in the world of mixed martial arts (MMA), with Melissa Croden being one of its rising stars. Her journey from paramedic to UFC fighter is a testament to dedication and hard work.
UFC Fight Night: Las Vegas Show
The main event on Saturday at the Apex features American Brandon Royval, ranked second among flyweight contenders, against No. 6 Manel Kape of Angola. The card also includes other Canadian fighters such as Gillian Robertson and Jamey-Lyn Horth.
Conclusion
Looking Ahead for Calgary’s MMA Champions
Croden’s upcoming bout with Luana Santos will be a significant test, but her preparation and resilience in the first fight show that she is ready to take on this challenge. As Calgary continues to produce talented fighters like Melissa Croden, fans can look forward to more exciting matches in the future.
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