LAS VEGAS – Montserrat Rendon beat Tamires Vidal with a split decision Saturday to open up the preliminary card at UFC Fight Night 228 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Take a look inside the fight with Rendon, who stayed unbeaten with her third split decision win in four fights.
Montserrat Rendon vs. Tamires Vidal
Result: Montserrat Rendon def. Tamires Vidal via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Updated records: Rendon (6-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Vidal (7-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
Key stats: Rendon had nearly 5 minutes of control time, landed three takedowns and outstruck Vidal, but settled for a split call.
Rendon on the fight's key moment
“Well, I knew she was going to be a very tough opponent. Yes, she was tough, as I expected. But I also knew she was a little desperate. I was waiting for the moment when I was a little (lacking concentration) in the fight. I knew it was my time to take advantage of her. That’s what I did. I was waiting for her to get tired, for her to give up.”
Rendon on judge Chris Leben's dissenting scorecard
“I didn’t know (Leben was judging). The truth is, I think it’s important that the people who have been in the cage (are judges). I find it very interesting and I think it’s actually pretty cool that (he’s a judge). It’s someone who’s got that sensibility of having been there to bring that outlook. I have the utmost respect for the judges. It does happen when you let things get to the judges. That’s why we keep working at. The fact that (Leben’s) score was the other way – you don’t want to leave it to the judges because it could always happen.”
Rendon on what she wants next
“(I have) no one in mind – whatever comes my way. I just want to recover my leg. I just want to go back to the gym. I want to go back to actually continue to train out there, go back to the gym as soon as possible, and whatever the UFC puts in front of me, I’m ready for it.”
To hear more from Rendon, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 228.
