UFC 241: Hannah Cifers cruises to comfortable decision win over Jodie Esquibel

Hannah Cifers excecuted her gameplan well enough to avoid a blemish on any of the judge’s scorecards en route to a dominant  win over Jodie Esquibel at UFC 241.

Hannah Cifers defeated Jodie Esquibel via unanimous decision (30-28, 30-27, 30-27) at UFC 241 on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019, live from the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA.

“I’m getting a lot more comfortable with every fight here, I’m happy I got my second win,” Cifers said after her win. “The fight mostly went how we had game planned for, I guess the wrestling and stuff was a little trickier than I thought, but mostly according to plan. My gym and team give me a lot of support, they put a lot of effort into me so that makes me try my best. I’d like to fight again this year if the UFC would let me, it’s up to them, but I’m ready.”

Here’s how the fight played out.

Round 1

Esquibel begins by circling far and wide outside the range of Hannah Cifers, as this featured prelim at strawweight gets under way. Not much by way of landed strikes in the opening minute, but the two exchange at close range on a couple of occasions as they begin to open up. Esquibel attempts to power underneath the torso of Cifers in an attempt to take her down, but the North Carolina native Cifers refutes the first try to get the fight down to the canvas. Esquibel clips Cifers with a high kick right across the bridge of her nose, a couple inches off from what could have been a devastating blow. Esquibel shoots for another takedown, but it’s brushed off by Cifers. Horn sounds.

FanSided scored it: 10-9 for Hannah Cifers

Round 2

Cifers gets the party started in round two with a kick to the outside leg of Esquibel, who resets closer towards the center wary of the next kick oncoming. Cifers comes forward, as Esquibel sets up in a rather high guard thrown up by Esquibel. Not a lot ensues, and the referee promptly stands them up briefly thereafter the takedown was initially secured. Now Cifers looks for a takedown of her own, and gets it seemingly for a moment but the two strawweights are scrambling back up in rather quick fashion. Esquibel now has her turn with a takedown attempt, and she gets it but sets her self up for failure initially as Cifers locks up a very high guard over the shoulders of Esquibel and threatens triangle, then looks to threaten with an armbar. Cifers looks to be moving in the right direction of an eventual tap from Esquibel, but loses it at the last second as Esquibel sweeps back up just moments later. Not much thrown on the feet in the final moments of the second here.

FanSided scored it: 10-9 Hannah Cifers

Round 3

Not much doing early on in the opening stages of round three, so much so that the opening ninety seconds or so largely sees a staring match ensue. Both ladies start opening up with low kicks, one from Cifers, and another back from Esquibel on the counter. Esquibel opens up momentarily and scoots in for her seventh attempt at a takedown that ultimately scores true. Despite the potential shift in momentum in the round by the takedown, once again Cifers and Esquibel are brought back to their feet. Cifers is pressuring immediately, punches and kicks oncoming towards Esquibel. Kicks from Cifers now, and the two ultimately excerpt their own individual movement on the feet to draw this 15 minute contest to a close.

FanSided scored it: 10-9 and the fight 30-27 for Hannah Cifers

Cifers continues down a positive path following a loss in her promotional debut, as she notches her second consecutive win on the heels of her promotional first over Polyana Viana back in April.3

UFC 241 took place on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019, live from the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA. Follow along with FanSided MMA, who are cage side for all your live results and highlights. Follow along live on YouTube for our official viewing party.