In a highly anticipated rematch, Nora Cornolle faced off against Jacqueline Cavalcanti at the Accor Arena in Paris, but her hopes of avenging her previous loss were dashed. Despite her preparation and experience, Cornolle was defeated by Cavalcanti via a split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28) in their preliminary bout at UFC Paris.
Cornolle, who made her UFC debut at the same venue just over a year ago, had been looking forward to this fight as an opportunity to rectify her past loss to Cavalcanti. The French fighter, with a background in Muay Thai and a six-fight winning streak before her UFC debut, had expressed her determination to leave a strong message in this rematch.
Pre-Fight Anticipation
Leading up to the fight, Cornolle had acknowledged the stress and pressure she felt, particularly since this was a rematch against the only fighter who had previously beaten her. She had been eager to compare her skills, especially her striking style, against Cavalcanti, who had stepped in as a replacement for the originally scheduled opponent, Germaine de Randamie.
Cornolle reflected on her debut experience, where she felt overwhelmed by the magnitude of the event. However, this time around, she was more composed and focused, aiming to deliver a performance that would showcase her growth and skills.
The Fight
The bout was closely contested, with both fighters giving their all. Despite Cornolle's efforts, the judges' scores favored Cavalcanti, marking her second win in the UFC and extending her overall winning streak.
Cavalcanti's victory was a testament to her resilience and skill, having previously defeated Cornolle in their first encounter three years ago. This win solidifies her position in the UFC and sets her up for future challenges.
Post-Fight Reflections
While Cornolle did not achieve the outcome she had hoped for, her performance demonstrated significant improvement since her debut. She remains a promising talent in the UFC, and this experience will likely serve as a valuable learning opportunity for her future fights.
