UFC Fight Night: Anna Melisano vs Dione Barbosa Preview & Prediction
Anna Melisano steps in for Veronica Hardy for her UFC debut, taking on former Olympian, Dione Barbosa at 125 pounds.
Anna Melisano vs Dione Barbosa facts
What time are Anna Melisano and Dione Barbosa expected to walk out?
Where is UFC Fight Night: Du Plessis vs Usman? Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, USA
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night: Du Plessis vs Usman? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night 281
What TV channel is UFC Fight Night: Du Plessis vs Usman on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – Paramount
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night: Du Plessis vs Usman? UK – TNT Sports can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and HBO Max / USA – Paramount+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC Fight Night: Du Plessis vs Usman main card
Dricus du Plessis vs Kamaru Usman (Middleweight)
Jared Cannonier vs Christian Leroy Duncan (Middleweight)
Chase Hooper vs Mitch Ramirez (Lightweight)
Tommy McMillen vs Alberto Montes (Featherweight)
UFC Fight Night: Du Plessis vs Usman prelims
Tabatha Ricci vs Fatima Kline (Women's Strawweight)
Austin Bashi vs Jose Miguel Delgado (Featherweight)
Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani vs Ko Seok-hyeon (Welterweight)
Levi Rodrigues Jr. vs Felipe Franco (Light Heavyweight)
Alden Coria vs Stewart Nicoll (Flyweight)
RJ Harris vs Alvin Hines (Heavyweight)
Anna Melisano vs Dione Barbosa (Women's Flyweight)
Marc-Andre Barriault vs TBC (Middleweight)
Anna Melisano: "Bandana" debuts in search of another finish and a statement victory
Stepping in after Veronica Hardy was bounced from the original pairing with Barbosa, Anna Melisano (6-1) makes her debut after a successful run in Fury FC. While she enters this bout with a slight reach advantage, the 29 year old Alabama native steps up in weight to 125 pounds for her first appearance with the promotion, having fought the majority of her career at strawweight. “Bandana” has been perfect since losing her debut by submission to Cheyanne Bowers in 2023, reeling off a six fight win streak that has included finishes in her three most recent appearances.
Dione Barbosa: "The Witch" looks to banish the demons associated with the manner of her last win
A decorated judoka who represented Brazil at the 2012 Olympic Games, Dione Barbosa (9-4) was arguably lucky to walk away with the victory in her last appearance, ultimately winning a unanimous decision against Melissa Gatto in a bout where she landed an egregious illegal kick while Gatto was grounded. “The Witch” is 3-2 since making the jump from the Contender Series in 2023, alternating wins and defeats in a run that has seen her beat Ernesta Kareckaite, Diana Belbita, and the aforementioned Gatto, while dropping results to Miranda Maverick and Karine Silva.
Anna Melisano vs Dione Barbosa prediction
We’re going with Barbosa in this one. Melisano is a talented prospect with a solid finishing rate for WMMA, but she’s completely unproven at UFC level, having fought the majority of her professional career in Fury FC.
By contrast, Barbosa may not have evolved into the fighter that many had pegged for success when she was in her prospect era, but she’s easily the best and most experienced fighter that “Bandana” has ever faced. She’s got the grappling chops to dominate this bout on the ground and isn’t afraid to stink things up with a smothering performance in order to secure the victory.
“The Witch” has only ever lost by stoppage once in her professional career and is coming off a victory against a power puncher in Melissa Gatto in her last bout. Granted, she should have been disqualified for landing a blatantly illegal kick in that bout, but she still proved that she can hang tough with a dangerous finisher.
I’d be surprised if Barbosa is able to score her second UFC finish here, but I think she gets her hand raised regardless through control time and takedowns. Melisano will be back, but this is a tough test for her first outing.
Prediction: Dione Barbosa to win by decision
