Kedzie’s long wait continues, as she loses to UFC newcomer Correia
Julie Kedzie’s long wait for a UFC victory will have to wait. For the second time, the veteran fought a close fight but walked away with a split-decision, as she fell to newcomer Bethe Correia at UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Bigfoot.
The judges scored the main card opener 29-28, 29-28, 28-29.
The swing round was likely the first, which was competitive throughout, with Kedzie fighting from distance with kicks and Correia content to counter and occasionally force the clinch. Correia had arguably the round’s hardest shot with a straight right, but Kedzie’s volume made the round close.
Kedzie attempted to keep Correia at the end of her jab in the second, but the Brazilian began to force her way inside more and occasionally landed strikes from in tight. If there was a deciding factor in the round, it probably would be Kedzie’s activity level, leaving few quiet moments.
Correia had some of her best moments in the third when she landed a thudding left hook, and later, a sharp right. She continued to press forward and eventually scored a takedown just prior to the mid-point of the round. Correia couldn’t do much with the position, however, and Kedzie eventually reversed and then pulled free, getting back to her feet. Correia landed another big left in the final minute as Kedzie’s pace slowed.
As the final horn sounded, Correia celebrated on her cornerman’s shoulders even though the decision was hardly a sure thing. Overall, according to FightMetric, Kedzie landed 72 strikes to Correia’s 61.
After a successful octagon debut, Correia is now 7-0.
For Kedzie, it was her fourth straight loss, and she’s now 16-13.
