Szabova Opens UFC Vegas 123 With a Third-Round TKO Debut

Lucia Szabova started her UFC career with a stoppage. The Slovak fighter, who held two titles in Oktagon, beat Tainara Lisboa by TKO in round three of the opening bout at UFC Vegas 123 and raised her pro record to 13-0.

A debut at a new weight

Szabova won flyweight and bantamweight gold in Oktagon. At the Meta Apex on Saturday she fought at 125 pounds for the first time. Lisboa, from Brazil, was dropping down to flyweight and hoped to put a couple of losses behind her.

Round one: Szabova takes control

Lisboa landed a few punches early. Szabova answered by tying her up and putting her down with a trip takedown. She reached half-guard and worked on a kimura, then went to punches when Lisboa scrambled back up. In the clinch she threw knees and elbows.

With about 90 seconds left, Lisboa briefly took the back while standing. Szabova turned into her and cancelled the position, then landed an elbow off the break and a high kick. A later scramble gave Lisboa the back again, and Szabova had to carry her weight while Lisboa looked for a choke under the chin. Lisboa did not get it. She finished the round strong, though the round still went to Szabova.

Round two: Lisboa pushes back

Lisboa came out sharper. A kick to the body put Szabova on one knee, and Lisboa then took her back standing. Szabova reversed, got underhooks along the fence and completed a takedown. From the top she had to avoid a few submission traps from Lisboa's closed guard. Then she landed right hands, moved her punches between body and head, and closed the round with an armbar attempt.

Round three: the finish

Szabova opened the third with another takedown. Lisboa got back to the fence for a moment, but soon ended up on her back again. Szabova reached side control and landed several elbows. She then took the back and looked for a rear-naked choke. Without a good position, she went back to ground-and-pound. A heavy elbow connected, more punches followed with little defense, and the referee stopped the fight at 3:20.

What the win opens up

The report describes the win as solid in all areas. It also notes that the flyweight division is wide open, with Natalia Silva newly installed as champion. That gives Szabova room to move up quickly at 125 pounds. The source does not say who she might face next.

Our view

Szabova needed all three rounds to finish a fighter who showed real moments of danger. That may be a better sign than a quick knockout, since she handled scrambles and back-takes in the first two rounds. How she looks against a higher-ranked flyweight is the open question to watch.

Source: Cageside Press