Preview: UFC Fight Night 241 Prelims

Women’s Strawweights

Piera Rodriguez (9-1, 2-1 UFC) vs. Ariane Carnelossi (14-3, 2-2 UFC)

ODDS: Rodriguez (-192), Carnelossi (+160)

This should be a solid litmus test for two strawweights looking to get back in the win column. Carnelossi’s pre-UFC footage wasn’t the prettiest, but the Brazilian’s approach has translated surprisingly well to the UFC level given that standard. A muscular tank, Carnelossi gets by on pressure, physicality and durability, all of which have held up against better opposition. However, that hasn’t always resulted in a win. Angela Hill simply poured on enough offense until a cut triggered a doctor stoppage, and Lupita Godinez had the technique to outwrestle Carnelossi handily. Wins over Na Liang and Istela Nunes have shown that Carnelossi can succeed as an absolute powerhouse, and after a two-year layoff, she returns to take on Rodriguez. Venezuela’s “La Fiera” is at a similar point in her career, as most of her results in the UFC have depended on her physicality. Another short and muscular fighter, Rodriguez handled two solid challenges in Kay Hansen and Sam Hughes with surprisingly little trouble, but that just made it all the more surprising when she suffered a dominant loss to Gillian Robertson in a wrestling-heavy affair. This fight is basically a coinflip on paper that could be one-sided in practice. It’s unclear who has the physical advantage, but whoever does has a solid chance at blowing this fight wide open. Carnelossi reads as the stronger fighter, on top of being much more willing to pressure and press her advantages, so she gets the nod. The pick is Carnelossi via decision.

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Rodriguez vs. Carnelossi
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