Team Claudia kept its perfect record intact with another victory in tonight’s first female quarterfinal bout on The Ultimate Fighter 23: “Team Joanna vs Team Claudia.” First-pick Tatiana Suarez Padilla earned a second-round submission victory over Team Joanna’s number one pick J.J. Aldrich.
With coach Claudia “Claudinha” Gadelha looking on, Suarez Padilla secured a tight rear-naked choke that forced Aldrich to tap out. The submission finish gave Team Claudia an early 2-0 lead over the opposing squad, which is led by undefeated UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion Joanna Jędrzejczyk.
Former UFC women’s bantamweight ace Holly “The Preacher’s Daughter” Holm looks to get back into title contention when she returns to the Octagon on July 23rd at UFC on FOX 20 in Chicago, Illinois. Holm faces off against Valentina “Bullet” Shevchenko in what may serve as the night’s main event.
Former long-time UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon “Bones” Jones made a triumphant return to action on April 23rd at UFC 197 in Las Vegas. Jones defeated late replacement Ovince “OSP” St. Preux in the main event to become interim UFC champ, and he regains the top spot at 205 pounds.