Lucia Szabová secured a dominant third-round technical knockout victory against Tainara Lisboa at UFC Vegas 123 on October 31, 2026, earning a 100 tisíc dolarů performance bonus in her organizational debut. The 28-year-old fighter opened the galavečer at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas as the first Slovak woman to compete inside the UFC.
Entering her promotional debut with an unblemished 12-0 professional record that included nine finishes, Szabová established control early by pressing Lisboa against the fence and securing takedowns. While the Brazilian veteran attempted to threaten with a rear-naked choke late in the opening round, Szabová defended effectively and turned the tide in the second frame with heavy ground-and-pound strikes and elbows.
The bout concluded when Szabová forced the referee to intervene at the 3:20 mark of the third round. She spent over a month training in Australia to prepare for the milestone appearance.
Dedication to Family and Financial Reward Following the Debut
Speaking to broadcasters immediately after the bout, Szabová dedicated her performance to her young son, noting the personal sacrifice required during her training camp. “This victory is for my son. I haven’t seen him for a month, I trained hard for this fight,” Szabová said. She completed her final preparations in Australia.
Tarde terrorífica para Tainara Lisboa 🧟♂️Lucia Szabová con un completo dominio finaliza la pelea 🛑#UFCVegas123 | Estamos en vivo por @PPlusDeportes pic.twitter.com/RcUuEqISs9
The stellar finish did not go unnoticed by promotion officials. Szabová pocketed an extra 100 tisíc dolarů—roughly 2,2 milionů korun—for the performance bonus. She holds historic status as Slovakia’s first female representative under the UFC banner. Having previously captured titles in the Oktagon organization, Szabová successfully translated her regional dominance onto the global stage.
Future Matchmaking and the Road Ahead
S jejou bilancí neporaziteľnosti Szabová hneď obrátila svoju pozornosť na ďalšiu výzvu. She expressed a desire to return to active competition early next year, targeting a spot on an international card. “It was a good start, but it’s just the beginning. I’m looking forward to what’s next. I’d love to fight again in a few months, best would be February in Sydney if possible,” Szabová stated.
Matchmakers have yet to confirm the promotion’s willingness to grant her a quick turnaround or a slot on an Australian card. Meanwhile, the Bratislavian fighter’s transition from titles in Europe positions her as a notable addition to the UFC roster.
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