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#2. Ilara Joanne (9-4) vs. Kana Watanabe (18-0-1) (Women's Flyweight)
Rizin's undefeated Kana Watanabe took on Bellator's rising Flyweight prospect Ilara 'Arya Stark' Joanne.
Joanne was on a three-fight win streak and was coming off an impressive Bellator debut performance against Bec Rawlings.
Round 1: Watanabe started in southpaw while Joanne was the more fluid fighter in the orthodox stance.
Joanne moved around and made in-roads with a few combinations in the pocket, Watanabe landed a front kick but Joanne cracked her opponent with a big right and left combo.
Joanne found her range fairly quickly and landed a few good hooks. Watanabe closed the distance and took Joanne down with a hip toss. Joanne then tried to catch Watanabe in an Arm Triangle.
However, the Japenese created some separation and stayed on top of Joanne without doing much. She took side control and landed a series of punches after trapping Joanne's arm.
The short punches landed but they weren't hurting Joanne, who was on her back. Watanabe was working towards a head and arm triangle but she ran out of time. Despite losing the first half of the round, Watanabe made a good recovery to end it on top. 10-9 Joanne
Round 2: It didn't take much time for Watanabe to engage in the clinch and use her Judo skills to attempt another toss. Joanne's posture and strength were on point though as she avoided getting taken down.
They jockeyed for position against the fence until Watanabe powered her way to the mat. Joanne, however, scrambled and found herself on top of her opponent.
Joanne pinned Watanabe against the fence but she just held on while her opponent landed short punches, waiting for the referee to stand them up. Joanne just prevented Watanabe from getting up but did absolutely nothing. Watanabe eventually worked her way to her knees and flipped the position.
Joanne was now on her back and on the receiving end of a flurry of punches, some of which had power behind them. Watanabe ended another round on top. 10-9 Watanabe
Round 3: Watanabe got in the body lock and executed another perfect Judo toss. She settled into full guard but Joanne wasn't passive as she landed elbows from her back.
Joanne tried to get an armbar while on her back but Watanabe got her hand out. Watanabe then got into half guard and postured up. She went on to land a few big punches from the top position.
Joanne closed the distance and landed short right-hand punches from the side. Watanabe controlled the position and unleashed ground and pound. Joanne turned over and found herself in a precarious position as Watanabe postured up and continued to connect with the ground and pound until the referee stepped in to stop the fight.
Result: Kana Watanabe def. Ilara Joanne via TKO (unanswered strikes) (4:39, Round 3)
That was a laborious fight to watch as there were long bouts of inactivity on the mat. However, Watanabe walked the talk and finished Joanne to maintain her spotless record.
