Montana De La Rosa vs. Mara Romero Borella
UFC Fight Night 167
Santa Ana Star Center, New Mexico
In a highly anticipated match up in the busy women’s flyweight division, two closely ranked opponents will stand toe to toe in the center of the UFC Octagon this Saturday night. Montana De La Rosa vs. Mara Romero Borella is a match up of the number 12 vs the number 13 fighter in the women’s flyweight division.
My prediction is that it will be an action packed fight in the desert on Saturday. Both women are in shape and highly skilled. At the end of the night, I think that Montana De La Rosa’s youth will be too much for the 33 year old Italian Borella, and the American will come away with the decision of the judge’s score cards. Here’s why:
Rio Rancho – a Fight at Elevation
The forecast calls for cold weather in the town of Rio Rancho, New Mexico this Saturday night. Located just outside of Albuquerque, Rio Rancho sits in between the Sandia Mountains to the East and the Continental Divide to the west. Situated just north of the expansive Albuquerque metropolitan area, and the Santa Ana Indian Reservation just above it, I predict the climate will be just right for a fight.
The Santa Ana Star Center sits at approximately 5200 feet above see level, about the same elevation as Albuquerque itself, as well as Denver, Colorado. However, at Flyweight, the elevation should not be a factor for these two 125 pound combatants.
An Even Match-up
The metrics for Montana De La Rosa vs. Mara Romero Borella appear quite even on paper. De La Rosa is 5’7″ tall with a 68″ reach. Borella is 5’6″ tall with a 69 inch reach. There fighting records are similar as well. Number 12 De La Rosa comes into Rio Rancho looking to improve upon her record of 10 wins with 5 losses. While Number 13 Borella looks to storm into the high desert and better her record of 12 wins with 6 defeats.
Submission Artist
A closer look at both records reveals that the younger De La Rosa is a true submission artist. Of her 10 wins, a whopping 80% have come by way of submission. She has submitted 5 of her opponents by armbar, and she has defeated 3 of her foes via rear naked strangle. These statistics suggest that the jiu-jitsu purple belt has will be bringing some serious ground skills with her to the high desert on Saturday night.
Knock Out Power
Not to be outdone, Borella, who fights out of Ponte Dell’Ollo, Italy by way of Coconut Creek, Florida, has finished 4 of her 12 victories with submissions (3 armbars and 1 rear naked choke). She is a former Judo instructor after all. But what really stands out is that she has the power to knock out 3 of her past opponents. I would point out that her last knockout was almost 5 years ago back in Italy.
The biggest difference between De La Rosa and Borella on paper is their age. Borella is almost 9 years the senior of De La Rosa who turns 25 years old on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2020.
Prediction
Montana De La Rosa vs. Mara Romero Borella is a very evenly matched fight. Both fighters could stand to gain a lot with a win in a wide open division. After another dominating performance by the Flyweight Champion Valentina Shevchenko in last week’s co-main event, many people are wondering if there is any woman at 125 pounds who possesses the skills to challenge the champ.
My prediction is that it will be an action packed fight in the desert on Saturday. Both women are in shape and highly skilled. At the end of the night, I think that Montana De La Rosa’s youth will be too much for the 33 year old Italian Borella, and the American will come away with the decision of the judge’s score cards.
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