Split call surprised Julia Polastri vs. McKenna at UFC Fight Night 244

LAS VEGAS – Julia Polastri beat Cory McKenna with a split decision Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC Fight Night 244 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Take a look inside the fight with Polastri, who picked up her first UFC win after a loss in her promotional debut in June.

Julia Polastri def. Cory McKenna

Julia Polastri

Result: Julia Polastri def. Cory McKenna via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
Updated records: Polastri (13-4 MMA, 1-1 UFC), McKenna (8-4 MMA, 3-3 UFC)
Key stats: Polastri outstruck McKenna 142-98 and more than doubled up on her in significant strikes. She also stuffed five of McKenna’s six takedown attempts.

Polastri on the fight’s key moment

Julia Polastri def. Cory McKenna, UFC Fight Night 244 1

“I knew she was still grappling with me. When she grappled with me, I was stronger than her and I saw that I frustrated her. That was the strategy and I think that I did the game plan right. But she surprised me because I didn’t know that she was so tough. She’s very tough, but it’s cool because we could bring a good fight for you.”

Polastri on the split decision

“I was really confident because I saw that I took control of all the fight, but it surprised me. But OK – the win came. That’s what matters.”

Polastri on what she wants next

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 12: (R-L) Julia Polastri of Brazil punches Cory McKenna of Wales in a strawweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on October 12, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

“I’d really like to fight again this year. If we can do it at the last card of the year, it will be awesome because my camp (can start) in November and until the last card, we have eight weeks. I jumped in this fight with three weeks’ (notice), so if I have eight weeks, I can do a lot more and it will be awesome to do another fight this year.

“I think for now, I need to put my feet on the ground. I’d really like to fight again (this year), but I don’t have a name specifically. I really like to be prepared for anybody that they bring me. I know I’m just beginning, but I I have a lot of potential to show and I’d really like to catch a fight with my camp complete. Anybody that they bring to me, I’m going to be happy to fight.”

To hear more from Polastri, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 244.