Preview: UFC on ESPN 44 Prelims

Women’s Bantamweights

Lucie Pudilova (14-7, 3-5 UFC) vs. Joselyne Edwards (12-4, 3-2 UFC)

ODDS: Pudilova (-135), Edwards (+115)

The UFC women’s bantamweight division is wide open for some new talent to rise through the ranks, so a standout performance here would help plenty for two prospects still on the right side of 30. Pudilova’s second run with the UFC should go better than the first, at least in terms of results. Making her debut as a raw prospect in 2017, Pudilova brought entertainment through sheer aggression but mostly found herself outgunned against better athletes and stronger wrestlers. Frankly, Pudilova has not improved much since her release in 2020, but she has channeled her aggression enough around the margins to pick up some cleaner wins and score a finish of Yanan Wu in her return to the Octagon in August. She will look to keep the good times rolling against Edwards, who has remained a frustrating talent with loads of potential during her time under the UFC banner. The Panamanian is a clear standout athletically but does not have much of a consistent approach. Her 2022 campaign saw her walk away with decision wins over Ramona Pascual and Ji Yeon Kim, but those were each close fights that Edwards could have made much easier with any sort of focused aggression. Edwards could coast her way to another win here, but defensive wrestling has been a clear issue in her fights and Pudilova figures to arrive at that phase of her game at some point and find plenty of success. It may not be that pretty, but the pick is Pudilova via decision.

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Pudilova vs. Edwards