Twenty year-old rising star Julieta Martinez (8-0) kept her perfect record intact with a split decision over Leslie Hernandez (4-2) in Las Vegas, Nev. on Tuesday, Oct 15.
The women’s fight between Martinez of Buenos Aires, Argentina and Leslie Hernandez, who was born in Oaxaca, Mexico and lives in Phoenix, Ariz., was contested at strawweight (115 pounds), and took place on UFC CEO Dana White’s Contender Series on ESPN+.
Despite the victory over Hernandez, a slight odds favorite to win the bout, Martinez was not awarded a contract with the UFC.
Martinez holds a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and made her MMA debut at the young age of 17. She recently left Argentina to train at the UFC’s Performance Institute in Mexico City.
Hernandez also holds a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and is a former national Mexican amateur boxing champion.
From the outset of the fight, both women came out swinging, with Hernandez using her boxing foundation to throw punches straight down the middle.
Martinez secured a takedown in the first round to stop Hernandez’s momentum, but Hernandez quickly made it back to her feet.
Hernandez was able to fend off a second takedown attempt, but Martinez was able to score a second takedown before the first round ended with Martinez in Hernandez’s guard.
In the second, Hernandez blasted Martinez with a straight right hand, but the Argentinian answered quickly with a pair of round kicks before securing a trip takedown and taking Hernandez’s back.
While Martinez attempted a rear-naked choke from her back, Hernandez turned in and reversed the position before getting back to her feet.
Martinez later landed a quick and powerful flying knee strike with Hernandez against the cage.
The round came to an end with the two exchanging blows on their feet.
The pace of the fight slowed a bit in the third round, but Martinez was able to drag Hernandez to the ground from her back for another takedown. Hernandez attempted a heel hook, but Martinez escaped and the two got back onto their feet.
Martinez took Hernandez down for a fourth time and attempted to take the back of Hernandez, but Hernandez turned in to her opponent and remained on her feet.
The last 30 seconds saw another great exchange of blows between the two opponents before the final bell rang and Martinez was awarded the split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) win.
