Flyweight prospect DeAnna “The Argentine Assassin” Bennett moved up to 135 pounds and earned another impressive win tonight in front of hometown supporters at Showdown Fights 14: “Heavyweight Collision” in Orem, Utah. Bennett submitted Colleen “The Thoroughbred” Schneider in the first round.
Despite giving up a size advantage to Schneider tonight, Bennett had little trouble in submitting the SFL women’s champ with a rear-naked choke to make it two-for-two against TUF 18 alumni. Bennett previously outpointed TUF 18 winner Julianna “The Venezuelan Vixen” Peña in February 2013.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship’s latest doubleheader of fight cards continued tonight with UFC Fight Night 44: “Swanson vs Stephens” at AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. The event was headlined by a featherweight showdown between Cub Swanson and Jeremy “Lil’ Heathen” Stephens.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship came to Vector Arena in Auckland, New Zealand tonight for UFC Fight Night 43: “Te Huna vs Marquardt.” The event was headlined by a middleweight bout between hometown standout James Te Huna and former Strikeforce champ Nate “The Great” Marquardt.
Former Shoot Boxing Japan Women’s Flyweight Champion Ai Takahashi picked up a hard-fought victory in her J-Girls kickboxing debut on Sunday night at J-Girls: “The Shining Wild Angels 2nd” in Tokyo, Japan. Takahashi narrowly defeated reigning J-Girls Bantamweight Champion Madoka Jinnai.
WSOF Women’s Strawweight Champion Jessica “Jag” Aguilar put forth one of the best performances of her career tonight at World Series of Fighting 10: “Branch vs Taylor” in Las Vegas, Nevada. Aguilar earned a commanding Unanimous Decision victory over veteran Emi “Kamikaze Angel” Fujino.
Former Strikeforce Women’s Bantamweight Champion Miesha “Cupcake” Tate steps back into the cage on September 21st at UFC Fight Night 52: “Hunt vs Nelson” in Saitama, Japan. Tate is expected to face undefeated Bantamweight Queen of Pancrase Rin Nakai, who makes her UFC debut.
Two marquee matchups have been announced for Deep Jewels 5, which is set to take place on August 9th at Shinjuku FACE in Tokyo, Japan. Former Jewels champions will collide when Ayaka Hamasaki returns from an injury hiatus to face Naho “Sugi Rock” Sugiyama in a 106-pound contender’s bout.
French Canadian striker Valérie “Trouble” Létourneau overcame an eye injury and picked up her first Octagon win tonight at UFC 174: “Johnson vs Bagautinov” in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Létourneau narrowly edged out fellow late replacement Elizabeth Phillips in a bantamweight bout.