Fighters from all over the world dream of the day they enter the UFC octagon for the first time. For four athletes, the UFC on ESPN 12 on Saturday was the special moment in their respective careers.
Check out this week’s rookie report to see what first impression they made of the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on the sport’s largest stage.
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Jinh Yu Frey
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JUNE 27: (LR) Jinh Yu Frey beats Kay Hansen in her straw weight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on June 27, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger / Zuffa LLC)
Division: Straw weight
Result: Kay Hansen def. Jinh Yu Frey per Submission (Armbar) – Round 3, 2:26
Recording: 9-5 MMA, 0-1 UFC
Grade: C-
Former Invicta FC nuclear weight world champion Jinh Yu Frey made the calm and serenity you would expect from an experienced driver on her UFC debut. After an encouraging start, however, she succumbed to the grappling skills of her (also debuting) opponent.
Frey started wisely and did well to avoid a couple of lightning attacks from Hansen. Then, after the hectic opening moments, the 35-year-old quickly adjusted to her rhythm and consistently found a home for her left hand. Frey was also doing well to prevent Hansen from putting her on the mat when the young debutant tried to reduce the distance and start the clinch. In a very encouraging opening round, Frey also hit well with a few knees and a kick when she broke out of the clinch late.
But after a good first lap, Frey had a difficult second when Hansen put her on the mat and choked her. She had to work wisely from her back to prevent her opponent from working her way into a submission position. She was successful in this regard, but could not repeat the trick in the third round when she was involved in an arm test. Then a triangle choked as she sat up and tried to escape. This situation allowed Hansen to get her attention back on Frey’s arm when the former Invicta champion knocked smartly before suffering an arm injury that could leave her on the shelf for a long time.
Overall, there were certainly encouraging signs for Frey, as she saw the better fighter on her feet by far. But when the action hit the mat, it was surpassed by the purple belt of the 10th planet Jiu-Jitsu when it suffered a debut defeat.
Next: The record-breaking youngster takes an unforgettable debut win
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