Decorated kickboxer Jady Menezes can now call herself an MMA champion.
The former GLORY Kickboxing 121-pound champ captured a flyweight title in Ares FC on Thursday night, submitting French contender Alexandra Tekenah in the third round.
The bout headlined Ares FC 26, a studio show from the promotion in Aubervilliers, France.
A close and scrappy fight had a sudden end after Menezes got the fight to the canvas. Despite being known for her kickboxing skills, the Brazilian talent got on the back of Tekenah and scored a takedown a few minutes into the fight’s third round.
Shortly after taking Tekenah down, Menezes tried for a rear naked choke. While the submission was blocked by Tekenah at first, Menezes was able to pursue the hold once again later in the round and force a tap three-and-a-half minutes into the round.
Both flyweights were aggressive on the feet prior to the finish. Menezes was able to score with punches while at kickboxing range, while Tekenah connected with hard, clean knees and elbows in clinch positions. Menezes mentioned afterward that the impactful elbows from Tekenah caused her trouble.
The win is a big victory for Menezes, who only returned to MMA this year following a title run in GLORY Kickboxing. She earned the five-round opportunity this weekend shortly after stopping Gisela Luna with strikes on a UAE Warriors show in March.
Menezes was fighting for a belt which was vacated last year by now-UFC fighter Ivana Petrovic. Her record in MMA is now five wins and one loss.
“I have a message: Work hard [and it] pays off,” said Menezes in her post-fight interview. “I have this message in my mind. I work hard every single day to be here … If you have a dream, work hard for this.”
While Tekenah has proven to be a notable flyweight prospect since her 2022 debut, Thursday marked the second time she has unsuccessfully challenged for an Ares FC title. Previous champ Petrovic beat her just over two years ago, coincidentally also submitting her in the third round with a rear naked choke. Tekenah came into this week’s show following a run of three consecutive victories since early 2023.
Here are the quick results from Ares FC 26:
Bout 8: Jady Menezes def. Alexandra Tekenah via Submission, Rear Naked Choke (RD 3, 3:32) (Vacant Ares FC Flyweight Championship)
Bout 7: Nikola Joksovic def. Ramazan Mustafaev via Submission Triangle Choke (RD 3, 1:42)
Bout 6: Paulin Begai def. Salim El Ouassaidi via TKO, Strikes (RD 1, 3:18)
Bout 5: Mateus Linhares def. Abou Tounkara via Submission, Anaconda Choke (RD 1, 3:10)
Bout 4: Moreno Kacapor def. Benjamin Sehic via TKO, Strikes (RD 1, 3:33)
Bout 3: Derick Sokoudjou def. Jesus Sanchez via Decision, Unanimous
Bout 2: Jhonatan Oliveira def. Kevin Azouz via Submission, Rear Naked Choke (RD 1, 3:00)
Bout 1: Ghassen Jbalia def. Andrei Oniscenco via Decision, Unanimous
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