Irene Aldana says up-kick body shot finish at UFC 279 was no fluke: 'We trained the kick a lot'
LAS VEGAS – Irene Aldana’s never-before-seen finish on Saturday night was no accident or lucky strike.
The UFC women’s bantamweight contender scored a spectacular and rare stoppage win, putting away Macy Chiasson on the main card of UFC 279. Aldana (14-6 MMA, 7-4 UFC) folded Chiasson with an up-kick to the liver while Chiasson stood over her.
The finish was so unusual that many people didn’t notice what happened until the replay was shown on the broadcast. Aldana knows it was a rare way to win a fight, but affirms it was no accident.
“It was bizarre,” Aldana told reporters at the UFC 279 post-fight press conference. “I knew the kick hit well, and it hit in the liver, but it was a little confusing for me to see her reaction like that.
“So I was like, ‘I’m sure I kicked her in the liver, but maybe I kicked her somewhere else. I’m not sure because of her reaction.’ But we trained the kick a lot, I’m glad it came out this night.”
The win furthered Aldana along in what’s becoming one of the best runs of her UFC career. The Mexican fighter is now on a two-fight winning streak, with both fights being finishes, and is 4-1 in her past five trips to the octagon. Her only defeat in this latest run came in a decision against former champion Holly Holm.
Aldana remains one of the very few top contenders that have yet to fight Amanda Nunes for the UFC women’s bantamweight title. The 34-year-old thinks it’s time she gets her shot at gold.
“I’m open to whoever the UFC wants me, but I’m obviously chasing the title fight,” Aldana said. “I’m ready for the title fight. If that’s the next step, I’m ready.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 279