MEXICO CITY – Irene Aldana beat Vanessa Melo with a unanimous decision Saturday on the main card at UFC on ESPN+ 17 in Mexico City.
Take a look inside the fight with Aldana, who got back in the win column after a split decision loss to Raquel Pennington in July.
Result: Irene Aldana def. Vanessa Melo via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
Updated records: Aldana (11-5 MMA, 4-3 UFC), Melo (10-6 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Key stat: Aldana nearly doubled up on Melo in the striking game, 127-68.
Aldana on the fight’s key moment
“I had to be a little more cautious during the fight because of the change of opponents. We didn’t really know what she was going to bring and try in the fight, so I had to take it a little slower and not go in a very high pace. She turned out to be an excellent opponent. I experienced new things in this fight and I’m happy about that.”
Aldana on fighting in Mexico
“I felt incredible – a lot of adrenaline. I am very proud to return to Mexico, to my land. To fight here is incredible. To listen to the public cheering is very cool, and I am also very grateful with Vanessa for having taken the fight with such a short notice.”
Aldana on what she wants next
“I am not injured and maybe I can close the year with a fourth fight at the end of November or at the beginning of December. I continue to pursue the top five, and if it is at the end of the year, it will be excellent. But next year would work, too. The UFC knows that I am very open about the opponents they choose for me. The one they decide is fine, but I do want a top five – maybe a rematch with Raquel or a fight with Marion (Reneau), which was canceled this time. But whatever they decide will work for me.”
To hear more from Aldana, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.
