In a considerable upset, former Strikeforce 135-pound competitor Zoila “The Warrior Princess” Frausto dropped down to 120 pounds tonight and knocked out Rosi “The Surgeon” Sexton at Bellator Fighting Championships 23. The end came exactly two minutes into the first round.
Sexton pressed the action early on, but was unable to secure a takedown and ultimately met her demise after a vicious knee from Frausto. Sexton had been scheduled to take part in the Bellator 115-pound women’s tournament in August, but could now be subject to a medical suspension.
Frausto (7-1-0) kept her distance early on as Sexton (10-2-0) threw front kicks to the body and looked to clinch. Frausto landed a knee in close, but Sexton caught a kick and tried for a takedown. Frausto stayed on her feet and Sexton landed knees in a clinch against the cage. The fighters separated and Sexton ate a right hand counter as she pressed forward. She ducked right into a left knee from Frausto and collapsed backwards. Frausto landed three more punches before the referee stopped the fight.
Result: Zoila Frausto defeats Rosi Sexton by KO (Knee & Punches) at 2:00 of round one. She improves to 7-1-0 with the win.
With the victory, Frausto could potentially take Sexton’s spot in the Bellator tournament if Sexton is not medically cleared to compete. Frausto, who once struggled badly – and failed, on one occasion – to make 125 pounds had little trouble cutting all the way down to 120. If she could safely cut down to 115, she could conceivably be part of the tournament bracket, though additional fights at 125 pounds are more likely. A rematch with Michelle Ould, whom Frausto defeated due to an injury in May, would be fitting due to the unfortunate circumstances of the first fight.
Regardless, Frausto’s crushing victory solidifies her spot as one of the top prospects in the women’s division and she will debut in the 125-pound rankings at the end of this month.
(Photo Credit: Casper Munoz)