The cast of 16 women flyweight competitors fighting to become the inaugural UFC women’s 125-pound champion on The Ultimate Fighter: A New World Champion is down to four. The final two semifinalists emerged on the season’s tenth episode with the top two seeds advancing and two underdogs hoping to write their own Cinderella story.
Former Invicta FC flyweight champion Barb Honchak faced a game opponent in No. 10 seed Rachael Ostovich-Berdon while the lowest seed left in the competition, No. 14 seed Nicco Montano, took on submission specialist Montana Stewart. Both bouts went to a decision.
The Fight: Barb Honchak vs. Rachael Ostovich-Berdon
Honchak won the Invicta FC flyweight title in April 2013. She defended the belt twice before stepping away from the sport in late 2014. When the opportunity to appear on TUF 26 arose, Honchak jumped at the chance to win a UFC championship. She faced a game opponent in Ostovich-Berdon in the quarterfinals.
Ostovich-Berdon had success with her striking in the early going of the opening round. Honchak decided to take the lesser experienced fighter down. Ostovich-Berdon defended the first takedown attempt but fell victim to a single-leg takedown moments later. She scrambled back to her feet and landed combinations.
In the second frame, Honchak’s experience became a factor. She took Ostovich-Berdon down three times and kept up relentless pressure. She mounted the No. 10 seed and hammered away with punches. Ostovich-Berdon gave up her back and Honchak flattened her out and continued to land strikes. It was a dominant round by the No. 2 seed. After ten minutes of fighting, the judges scored the fight for Honchak by unanimous decision.
“I didn’t get the finish, but it was a great fight. Rachael is tough, a tough opponent,” said Honchak following the win. “I’m two wins into the tournament and that title feels obtainable. It feels good. It feels like I’m getting closer to what I’m here for.”
“I just can’t accept it,” said an emotional Ostovich-Berdon. “I feel like I sacrificed so much and that I could have beat her. That’s what hurts the most is that I know that. It’s just very hard to deal with right now.”
This article first appeared at News – MMAWeekly.com
