Jasmine Jasudavicius Triumphs with Historic Anaconda Choke at UFC 297

TORONTO – In a night that will be remembered for its sheer grappling brilliance, Jasmine Jasudavicius delivered a performance that resonated with dominance and skill at UFC 297. The Canadian fighter, in front of her home province crowd at Scotiabank Arena, showcased a grappling masterclass against Priscila Cachoeira, culminating in a stunning anaconda choke that sealed the deal late in the third round.

Jasudavicius (10-3 MMA, 4-2 UFC) became the first Canadian to notch a win on the card, using her grappling prowess to completely overwhelm Cachoeira (12-6 MMA, 4-6 UFC). The fight, initially set for the women’s flyweight, had to be adjusted to bantamweight due to Cachoeira’s weight cut issues. Despite the change, Jasudavicius shone brightly, proud to represent her country with a victory.

“I got to show a lot more of my grappling,” Jasudavicius stated in her post-fight interview with Daniel Cormier. “I love grappling and I want to show how weak I am. She’s good, but I wanted to represent for all the other fighters in Canada.” Her words echoed the sentiment of her performance – one that was nothing short of a grappling clinic.

The fight statistics were telling: Jasudavicius threw a staggering 326 strikes to Cachoeira’s 26, highlighting the lopsided nature of the contest. After a rocky start, Jasudavicius took control, securing a mount position and unleashing a relentless ground and pound assault. The second round was no different, with Jasudavicius landing a powerful straight right that floored Cachoeira, leading to another round of punishing strikes.

The third round saw Cachoeira attempting to mount a comeback, stuffing several takedowns. However, Jasudavicius’ grappling acumen shone through as she executed a double leg takedown and transitioned into the fight-ending anaconda choke. This victory not only showcased Jasudavicius’ grappling dominance but also marked her as a serious contender in the women’s bantamweight division.The judges’ scorecards reflected the one-sided affair, with scores of 20-16, 20-16, and 20-15 before the submission.

rooftop of the scotiabank arena building — Photo by Harrison Haines on Pexels.com

Jasudavicius’ victory is a testament to her hard work and dedication to the sport. Her ability to outland Cachoeira by such a significant margin is not just a personal triumph but a moment of pride for Canadian MMA. As she basks in the glory of her historic win, the MMA community watches with keen interest to see what’s next for this rising star in the octagon.