UFC on ESPN 72 – Gabriella Fernandes vs Julija Stoliarenko

Gabriella Fernandes stepped into UFC on ESPN 72 looking to extend her momentum, having secured back-to-back wins with standout performances. Across the cage stood Julija Stoliarenko, a seasoned grappler eager to test Fernandes’s growing all-around game. From the outset, the fight promised a clash of styles—Fernandes’s sharp kickboxing against Stoliarenko’s submission expertise—and the tension was palpable as both women sought to impose their strategy.

Right from the opening round, Fernandes established her rhythm with crisp jabs, stinging leg kicks, and well-timed body shots that disrupted Stoliarenko’s forward pressure. The Lithuanian attempted to close the distance and bring the fight to the mat, but Fernandes’s footwork and lateral movement kept her out of danger. Every time Stoliarenko reached for a clinch or level change, Fernandes answered with clean strikes and quick pivots, maintaining control of the center.

As the fight progressed, Stoliarenko’s game plan became increasingly clear—she needed a takedown to change the course of the contest. She shot in for multiple attempts, but Fernandes defended each one with precision, sprawling effectively and breaking grips before countering with her own offense. In the stand-up exchanges, Fernandes’s speed advantage was evident, as she mixed straight punches with hooks and low kicks, steadily banking points on the scorecards.

By the final round, Fernandes’s confidence was in full display. She stayed composed, avoided unnecessary risks, and continued picking apart Stoliarenko at range. When the final horn sounded, the judges delivered a unanimous decision: 30-27, 29-28, and 29-28, all in favor of Fernandes. It was a clean, disciplined victory that showcased her ability to neutralize a dangerous grappler without abandoning her own strengths.

The win not only improved Fernandes’s record to 10-3 but also marked her third consecutive UFC triumph, solidifying her as a rising threat in the flyweight division. For Stoliarenko, returning after more than a year away and recovering from elbow surgery, the fight was a reminder of the gap she needs to close in her wrestling entries and striking defense. For Fernandes, however, it was proof that her evolution is real—and that she’s ready for a step up in competition.