UFC on ESPN 71: Piera Rodriguez vs Ketlen Souza

Inside the UFC Apex on August 2, 2025, the women’s strawweight division opened the card for UFC on ESPN 71 with Venezuela’s Piera “La Fiera” Rodriguez going toe to toe against Brazil’s Ketlen “Esquentadinha” Souza. This matchup promised a clash of styles from the start—Rodriguez bringing a grinding, well-rounded approach while Souza looked to test her with fast-paced boxing and combinations.

Right from the start, Souza came out with a quick rhythm, snapping her jab and following with hooks that forced Rodriguez backward. After weathering the early barrage, Rodriguez closed the distance, locked up a clinch, and dragged the fight into her world. Once on the mat, she worked short punches to the body and head, slowing Souza’s striking tempo while controlling position near the cage.

The second round continued as a tight contest. Souza showed urgency by stepping forward with volume and flurries, while Rodriguez stayed composed, mixing punches with level changes to keep her opponent guessing. Another takedown midway through the round allowed Rodriguez to impose more top control, though Souza managed to scramble and create enough space to fire back late, keeping the round competitive.

Fatigue began to play a factor in the final frame, especially for Souza, as Rodriguez’s pressure never relented. With less than a minute remaining, Rodriguez scored another takedown that effectively sealed the fight. Despite Souza’s efforts to rise and look for a late submission, Rodriguez’s heavy control and awareness left no room for mistakes in the closing moments.

After three hard-fought rounds, the judges delivered a split decision: 29–28, 29–28, and 28–29, giving Piera Rodriguez the victory. It was a grinding performance that highlighted her ability to neutralize an aggressive striker, while Souza’s resilience and willingness to engage kept the crowd invested until the very end.