Making her UFC debut, Kanako Murata fought Randa Markos to finish Saturday’s preliminary card. Their strawweight bout went like this.
Bout 4: Randa Markos (10-9-1) vs. Kanako Murata (11-1) (Strawweight)
Murata put Markos against the cage in a body lock in the first minute, landing a takedown moments after. Murata held full guard on top. Murata was able to move into half guard. Markos got up to her feet in the third minute of action, albeit still in a clinch with Murata. Markos was able to defend a takedown from a body lock, although Murata landed a trip takedown in the fourth minute of action. Murata was able to land some elbows and punches from half guard on top. Markos stopped the punches by looking for a heel hook in the closing seconds.
They clinched halfway through the round where they seemingly clashed heads accidentally. Murata scored a takedown in the third minute. Murata threw some punches while in control on the ground. Markos worked back up to her feet before the round ran out of time.
Murata was able to land another takedown in the second round of the fight. Murata looked for a d’arce choke while in a north-south position. Murata went into full guard on top after Markos escaped the choke. Murata got to her feet for a moment, where Markos landed an upkick to the head. Murata went back down, controlling the fight from half guard. Markos failed to flip the position. Murata kept the position on top until the round ran out of time. Murata won all the scorecards afterwards (30-27, 30-27 & 30-27).
RESULT: Kanako Murata def. Randa Markos via Decision, Unanimous
My Scorecard:
| Fighter | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Total |
| Markos | 9 | 9 | 9 | 27 |
| Murata | 10 | 10 | 10 | 30 |
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