Dione Barbosa
The WItch
Brazil
Dominates in OKC opener
Barbosa defeated Anna Melisano via submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:04 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Oklahoma City.
ANALYSIS
The UFC found a replacement opponent for Barbosa after Veronica Hardy (undisclosed) was forced to withdraw earlier this month and the Brazilian predictably made things looks easy. North of a -900 favorite in some spots by the time the fight kicked off, Barbosa landed an immediate takedown and controlled Melisano until she was able to put her away. Dione turned 34 years of age in May, so age is working against her, but she's quietly won three of four dating back to April 2025.
The UFC found a replacement opponent for Barbosa after Veronica Hardy (undisclosed) was forced to withdraw earlier this month and the Brazilian predictably made things looks easy. North of a -900 favorite in some spots by the time the fight kicked off, Barbosa landed an immediate takedown and controlled Melisano until she was able to put her away. Dione turned 34 years of age in May, so age is working against her, but she's quietly won three of four dating back to April 2025.
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New opponent for July 18
Barbosa will fight fellow flyweight Anna Melisano at UFC Oklahoma City on July 18, according to Marcel Dorff of Heavy on Sports.
ANALYSIS
Barbosa was initially against Veronica Hardy (undisclosed), who withdrew from UFC Oklahoma City. So instead, on under two weeks' notice, the former will welcome a newcomer. For 2026, Barbosa can be 2-0, not long after defeating Melissa Gatto via majority decision.
Barbosa was initially against Veronica Hardy (undisclosed), who withdrew from UFC Oklahoma City. So instead, on under two weeks' notice, the former will welcome a newcomer. For 2026, Barbosa can be 2-0, not long after defeating Melissa Gatto via majority decision.
Next fight in OKC
Barbosa will take on Veronica Hardy in a flyweight matchup at UFC Oklahoma City on July 18, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Barbosa has gone 2-2 in her last four fights, most recently taking a majority decision from Melissa Gatto in early-April. She'll hold height and reach advantages over Hardy, who strikes at a higher pace but defends takedowns at just a 51 percent clip. Barbosa, a constant submission threat who averages 2.4 takedowns per 15 minutes of fight time, will look to exploit that weakness.
Barbosa has gone 2-2 in her last four fights, most recently taking a majority decision from Melissa Gatto in early-April. She'll hold height and reach advantages over Hardy, who strikes at a higher pace but defends takedowns at just a 51 percent clip. Barbosa, a constant submission threat who averages 2.4 takedowns per 15 minutes of fight time, will look to exploit that weakness.
Survives point deduction for win
Barbosa defeated Melissa Gatto via majority decision (28-28, 29-27, 29-27) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Barbosa did more than enough to win this fight, but one foolish mistake probably should have cost her the victory. The Brazilian was somehow not disqualified despite blasting Gatto, who was a downed opponent at the time, with a kick to the head midway through Round 2. Gatto decided she wanted to continue, the doctors allowed her to continue, and referee Chris Tognoni docked Barbosa just a single point. It was a comedy of errors on multiple fronts, and the end result was Dione still doing enough to earn the majority decision win in the eyes of two of the three judges. Set to turn 34 years old in May, Barbosa has alternated wins and losses in her first five UFC fights.
Barbosa did more than enough to win this fight, but one foolish mistake probably should have cost her the victory. The Brazilian was somehow not disqualified despite blasting Gatto, who was a downed opponent at the time, with a kick to the head midway through Round 2. Gatto decided she wanted to continue, the doctors allowed her to continue, and referee Chris Tognoni docked Barbosa just a single point. It was a comedy of errors on multiple fronts, and the end result was Dione still doing enough to earn the majority decision win in the eyes of two of the three judges. Set to turn 34 years old in May, Barbosa has alternated wins and losses in her first five UFC fights.
Added to UFC Vegas 115 card
Barbosa will face Melissa Gatto at UFC Vegas 115 on April 4, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Barbosa most recently fell against Karine Silva at UFC 319 in August, so she'll be on the hunt for a bounce-back win. She's found plenty of success in her professional career, securing a victory in five of her last seven bouts despite dropping two of her last three.
Barbosa most recently fell against Karine Silva at UFC 319 in August, so she'll be on the hunt for a bounce-back win. She's found plenty of success in her professional career, securing a victory in five of her last seven bouts despite dropping two of her last three.
Takes hard-luck loss
Barbosa lost to Karine Silva via unanimous decision (28-29, 28-29, 28-29) at UFC 319 on Saturday in Chicago, Illinois.
ANALYSIS
Barbosa's striking looked better than ever in this one, as she continually stung Silva with jabs while pouring on the pressure. While she was nearly finished with a choke in Round 3, it did appear that "The Witch" had done enough in the first two frames to take home the victory. Though she didn't get the decision here, Barbosa may have a future in this division if her striking can complement her grappling. She falls to 8-4 in professional MMA as a result of the loss.
Barbosa's striking looked better than ever in this one, as she continually stung Silva with jabs while pouring on the pressure. While she was nearly finished with a choke in Round 3, it did appear that "The Witch" had done enough in the first two frames to take home the victory. Though she didn't get the decision here, Barbosa may have a future in this division if her striking can complement her grappling. She falls to 8-4 in professional MMA as a result of the loss.