This is the UFC 227 live blog for Polyana Viana vs. JJ Aldrich, a strawweight bout at Saturday’s UFC event at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.JJ Aldrich
Viana, who has won six straight bouts, faces Aldrich, who is coming off back-to-back UFC wins for the first time, on the main card.
Check out the UFC 227 live blog below.
Round 1: Herb Dean will referee this matchup. Viana opens the action with a body kick. Aldrich pawing with the jab, but not landing. They clinch and Viana is looking for a trip. Aldrich refusing to give her an angle for it. Aldrich gets tripped up for a second, but uses the whizzer to stay out of trouble and get back to her feet. Not much going on as they jostle for position against the fence. Back in striking distance, Aldrich scores with a right hand. Viana goes to the body again with a leg kick. Aldrich clinches up and takes control against the fence again. Another Viana trip attempt is blocked. She jumps up for a guillotine and Aldrich drops down, ending up in Viana’s guard. Omoplata attempt by Viana before the buzzer sounds.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Viana.
Round 2: Aldrich gets a lunging right hand to connect right out of the gate. Short leg kicks by Viana. She wanders in and takes another right hand from Aldrich. Her head is right there every time Aldrich looks to counter. They grapple against the fence. Aldrich just holding on to the taller fighter. They separate and Aldrich continues to pop Viana as she marches forward. Kick to the body lands for Viana, then a straight right. Straight left by Aldrich backs Viana up. Knee to the body by Viana, then another kick. 1-2 combo scores for Viana, but she keeps getting caught by Aldrich’s right jab. Viana ducks a big left and gets the body lock, she trips Aldrich down and has back control. She can only get one hook in before Aldrich gets to her side. Viana staying heavy on top. Goes to transition to mount, but Aldrich rolls with her and protects her arm from a submission attempt to finish the round on top in half guard.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Aldrich. Overall, 19-19.
Round 3: Viana absorbing punches as she tries to close the distance. Aldrich goes for a short jog and resets in the center of the Octagon. Left hand down the middle lands clean for Aldrich. Two more lefts find Viana’s chin. She gets a hold of Aldrich’s arm and holds on tightly, then pulls guard. She’s landing short punches from bottom position and controlling Aldrich’s posture. Dean calling for work. Aldrich throws a couple of punches, but otherwise is just trying to stay out of danger in Viana’s active guard. Aldrich throws more punches to keep Viana from setting up rubber guard. And Aldrich slips out, forcing Viana to stand. Left hand cracks Viana again. Viana looks at the clock with 30 seconds remaining. Aldrich putting on the pressure with straight punches as Viana has her back on the fence. 1-2 combo for Aldrich.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Aldrich. Overall, 29-28 Aldrich.
Official result: JJ Aldrich def. Polyana Viana via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-27)