LAS VEGAS — Brazilian Dione (The Witch) Barbosa submitted Canadian-based flyweight Diana (Warrior Princess) Belbita in the first round on the undercard of a UFC Fight Night show Saturday.
The bout marked a return to the 125-pound weight class from strawweight (115) for Belbita, whose MMA career has been dogged by injury. The 28-year-old has now lost three straight and four of the last five. Her UFC record dropped to 2-6-0 since making her debut in the promotion in 2019.
Originally from Romania, Belbita is now based in Stoney Creek, Ont., where she trains alongside fellow UFC fighters (Proper) Mike Malott and Kyle (The Monster) Nelson.
The main event at the UFC's Apex production facility pitted American Josh Emmett, ranked eighth among UFC featherweight contenders, against No. 10 Lerone (The Iceman) Murphy of England.
Belbita, a sizable underdog, came forward in the first round and the two exchanged strikes on their feet until Belbita was taken down after a clinch at the fence.
Barbosa, who has a black belt in both Brazilian jiu-jitsu and judo, ended up on top, improving her position before locking in an arm-triangle choke, forcing Belbita to tap out at four minutes 13 seconds.
Belbita (15-10-0) was submitted by England's Molly (Meatball) McCall last time out in February 2024 and lost via decision to Karolina Kowalkiewicz before that in October 2023.
The 32-year-old Barbosa (8-3-0) was coming off a loss to American Miranda (Fear The) Maverick in July that snapped a four-fight win streak.
The Las Vegas-based Barbosa, earned her UFC contract by submitting American Rainn (Drop) Guerrero on "Dana White's Contender Series" in September 2023. She won her UFC debut via decision over Lithuania's Ernesta (Heavy-Handed) Kareckaite last May.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 5, 2025.
The Canadian Press
