Lauren Mueller's successful debut at UFC on FOX 29 affirmed she belongs

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Lauren Mueller said prior to her UFC debut Saturday that making it to the octagon just four fights into her career was a faster progression than expected. After getting the win, though, there are no doubts.

Mueller (5-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) looked right at home in a unanimous decision win over a tough Shana Dobson (4-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) in their women’s flyweight bout at UFC on FOX 29, which took place at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz., and streamed on UFC Fight Pass prior to the remainder of the card on FOX. She said she felt that way, as well.

“I am happy with (my performance),” Mueller said after her win. “This is my UFC debut and I worked extremely hard for this. When I got in there it felt extremely enjoyable to me. I felt like I belonged in there.”

Mueller said she was proud of what she accomplished against a game foe in Dobson. She didn’t get the stoppage she was looking for, but for someone with such little experience, there’s tremendous upside to getting 15 minutes of cage time at this point.

“I felt amazing,” Mueller said. “This is everything I’ve been working hard for. I hope I gave everyone a show and everyone enjoyed it. I enjoyed it. Absolutely. … It was so much better than what I could have ever imagined. Hearing the fans and the crowd and your loved ones cheering for you. It was amazing.”

Despite only having a handful of fights, Mueller said she already thinks she can hang with the best in the UFC. The women’s flyweight division is the organization’s newest weight class, and the pecking order is still very much being sorted. Mueller wants to prove she belongs as the top, but said she’s willing to be patient.

“There’s no names (to call out),” Mueller said. “This is a new division so I’m not really sure where everyone is ranked and how that’s happening yet. For me, I’m going to train for whoever has the belt, so that’s my ultimately goal. So right now whoever is going to get me closer to that goal is who I want to fight.”

For complete coverage of UFC on FOX 29, check out the UFC Events section of the site.