LAS VEGAS – As Norma Dumont watched opponent Irene Aldana’s skin part, she was unsurprised their fight didn’t get stopped due to the gaping gash.
At Saturday’s UFC 306, Dumont (12-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC) defeated Aldana (15-8 MMA, 8-6 UFC) by unanimous decision, but a laceration to the latter stole the show.
“Every time I fight, I check who the ref is,” Dumont told MMA Junkie and other reporters through a Portuguese-language interpreter. “Depending on the ref, sometimes I know I can hold the position and they’ll stop the fight. Knowing that was Herb Dean, I knew he was not going to stop the fight. Once I saw that she was cut, that’s why I just kept on hitting because I knew it wasn’t going to be stopped.”
Whether it was a doctor stoppage or a decision, a win is a win for Dumont. She extends her winning streak to five in a row with the victory. Dumont was elated by the win.
“It feels great, to be honest,” Dumont said. “I love that feeling. But I knew that. I knew that was going to be that kind of matchup. That’s why I called her (out). Actually, I called Germaine (de Randamie) first because I was also expecting that kind of aggressiveness. I knew there was some kind of war. I ended up calling out Irene. I was happy I got the matchup. I knew it was going to be a war. I knew it was going to be 15 minutes of war or until somebody was knocked out.”
Irene Aldana might have just taken the lead for worst cut in history in her #UFC306 loss to Norma Dumont pic.twitter.com/3w2v5Piy9Y
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) September 15, 2024
Dumont, 33, thinks she made a statement to the division, one that lacks up-and-coming contenders. While it’s unclear exactly where Saturday’s victory will land her, Dumont is confident in her abilities regardless of who is next.
“I can fight anywhere,” Dumont said. “I can fight 15 minutes on the ground, 15 minutes standing, 15 or 25 minutes. I’ve been training for 15 years grappling, boxing, sambo and I’m the best fighter in the division. But I always look at the weaknesses of my opponents. I make the adjustments that I need to, to capitalize over that. I’m the strongest and the most intelligent fighter inside the octagon.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 306.
