UFC on ESPN+ 17 results: Bethe Correia snaps skid, upsets Sijara Eubanks by decision
MEXICO CITY – Bethe Correia proved she is still a serious part of the UFC women’s bantamweight division when she earned a key victory in her career against Sijara Eubanks at UFC on ESPN+ 17.
At 36, Correia (11-4-1 MMA, 5-4-1 UFC) showed he has gas left in the tank when she outstruck Eubanks (4-4 MMA, 2-2 UFC) to win a unanimous decision and snap her three-fight winless skid for her first octagon triumph since September 2016.
The women’s bantamweight bout was part of the UFC on ESPN+ 17 preliminary card at Mexico City Arena in Mexico City. The event streamed on ESPN+.
Eubanks came out of the gate swinging hard in search of Correia’s chin. The Brazilian stayed composed, though, rolling with the punches early and avoiding the speed of Eubanks’ hands. Correia timed a few solid right hands and mixed in some low kicks. Eubanks didn’t like it much, and opted to shoot for a takedown with just over two minutes left in the round. Eubanks methodically worked away with her ground-and-pound, posturing up and landing heavy shots as Correia simply tried to survive without serious damage, which she did.
With momentum on her side to begin the second round, Eubanks came out head hunting once again. She winged some massive strikes in Correia’s direction, but could not find the knockout blow. Eubanks landed some powerful blows that Correia’s absorbed without much issue, and then the tide began to turn. Correia’s confidence started to pick up a few minutes in, and she started to find the range with her boxing. Correia pushed forward with combinations to the head and body, and while none of them appeared to rock Eubanks, it definitely gave her confidence and made the fight more even going into the final round.
Going in to the final five minutes, the contest was seemingly up for grabs. Both women looked to work around their jab, but Correia was certainly more wild and aggressive on her attempts. Eubanks looked the more fatigued of the two and put some big energy into a takedown attempt that was denied by Correia, who had the superior striking volume going into the final minutes. Correia begins to taunt Eubanks going down the wire as she continued to wing punches. Eubanks is lands a solid combination with less than one minute left, and they trade until the final bell of a close fight.
Ultimately the judges deemed Correia’s work more effective, and she was given the nod with 29-28 scores across the board.
Up-to-the-minute UFC on ESPN+ 17 results include:
- Bethe Correia def. Sijara Eubanks via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Claudio Puelles def. Marcos Mariano via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-25)
