UFC Fight Night 121 results: Jessica-Rose Clark takes split from Bec Rawlings

In a short-notice call-up to the UFC, Jessica-Rose Clark impressed on just 11 days’ notice with a split-decision win over Bec Rawlings.

Clark (8-4 MMA, 1-0 UFC) got a pair of 29-28 scores against Rawlings (7-7 MMA, 2-4 UFC), who got a 29-28 of her own. Rawlings appeared to be shocked by the decision.

The catchweight bout (Clark missed the flyweight limit) was the co-main event of today’s UFC Fight Night 121 event at at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney. It aired on FS1 following prelims on FS1 and UFC Fight Pass.

Rawlings came out swinging, but so did Clark. A minute in, Rawlings caught a Clark kick and drove her straight down to the canvas. Rawlings went to work on top in Clark’s guard. There, Rawlings landed some heavy hands and used them to pop out to half-guard. But Clark perfectly reversed and got on top with Rawlings settled back into guard.

Midway through, Rawlings threatened with an armbar, but couldn’t hold it when Clark slid around to side control. With 90 seconds left, the fight moved back to the feet and Rawlings marched Clark straight down for a body kick. Clark landed some nice overhand rights, but kept backing up to be cautious of Rawlings’ attacks.

Rawlings went to the center in the second and pushed Clark outside. Clark circled and landed a right, then got inside for a few more punches. But Rawlings kept chasing her down and clinched up a minute in. Clark muscled Rawlings around and reversed position on the fence, then Rawlings reversed.

Just ahead of the midway point, Clark broke free. Clark landed a big right hand, then took Rawlings to the canvas. With two minutes left, Clark worked for an arm-triangle choke, then tried to jump to mount. With 45 seconds left, Clark broke the choke off and landed a heavy elbow, then a few more to close out the round.

Both fighters came out slugging in the third. Rawlings tried a spinning attack 20 seconds in. Clark threw heavy leg kicks. Ninety seconds in, Rawlings backed Clark up with a 1-2, but Clark stayed right in the pocket for body kicks. Midway through, Rawlings landed some heavy punches to the chin. With two minutes left, Rawlings landed a big right hand that seemed to hurt Clark. In response, Clark clinched up – but Rawlings got the takedown with 80 seconds left. Clark got back to her fee with 50 seconds left and kept Rawlings tied up for a short takedown that may have sealed the deal.

Clark now has won back-to-back fights following a two-fight skid. Rawlings saw her losing skid hit three fights.

Up-to-the-minute UFC Fight Night 121 results include:

• Jessica-Rose Clark def. Bec Rawlings via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Belal Muhammad def. Tim Means via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Jake Matthews def. Bojan Velickovic via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Elias Theodorou def. Daniel Kelly via unanimous decision (30-28, 30-27, 30-26)
• Alex Volkanovski def. Shane Young via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
• Ryan Benoit def. Ashkan Mokhtarian via knockout (head kick) – Round 3, 2:38
• Nik Lentz def. Will Brooks via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 2, 2:05
• Tai Tuivasa def. Rashad Coulter via knockout (knee) – Round 1, 4:35
• Frank Camacho def. Damien Brown via split decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)
• Nadia Kassem def. Alex Chambers via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 29-27)
• Eric Shelton def. Jenel Lausa via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-25)
• Adam Wieczorek def. Anthony Hamilton via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

For complete coverage of UFC Fight Night 121, check out the UFC Events section of the site.

(MMAjunkie’s John Morgan contributed to this report on site in Sydney.)