Joselyne Edwards Takes Controversial Decision over Lucie Pudilova

In the opening bout, Joselyne
Edwards won a mystifying split decision over Lucie
Pudilova despite spending much of the first two rounds as a
grappling dummy at
UFC on ESPN 44.

Pudilova struck for a takedown in Round 1, then spent most of the
balance of the period landing periodic ground-and-pound while
controlling the Panamanian on the mat. The second frame was
Pudilova’s best, as she grounded Edwards immediately, moved to side
control and spent the rest of the stanza in the driver’s seat,
threatening with chokes and briefly taking Edwards’ back. A much
more competitive final stage saw Edwards stay upright and get the
better of a sporadic striking battle.

Both fighters appeared surprised—and the crowd voiced its
displeasure—at the 29-28, 29-28, 28-29 scorecards in favor of
Edwards. “La Pantera,” who missed weight on Friday, moved to 4-2 in
the UFC; Pudilova’s Octagon tally fell to 3-6 overall, 1-1 since
her return to the promotion last year.