LAS VEGAS – Jacqueline Cavalcanti beat Julia Avila with a unanimous decision Saturday to open the preliminary card at UFC Fight Night 251 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Take a look inside the fight with Cavalcanti, whose win sent Avila into retirement – something she decided ahead of the fight.
Jacqueline Cavalcanti def. Julia Avila
Result: Jacqueline Cavalcanti def. Julia Avila via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Updated records: Cavalcanti (9-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC), Avila (9-4 MMA, 3-3 UFC)
Key stats: Cavalcanti outstruck Avila 75-57. She was a 10-1 betting favorite.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 15: (L-R) Jacqueline Cavalcanti of Brazil punches Julia Avila in a bantamweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on February 15, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Cavalcanti on the fight’s key moment
“The game plane for this fight was to control the distance. … I think she respected my hands. She didn’t come (formward too much). I tried to give 100 percent. I’m happy (with my striking), but I can do more. The next time I come back, I can do better. ”
Cavalcanti on her four-fight streak
“I think the key is hard work, and to have good mental (approach), good coaches, good training partners around – that’s the key.”
Cavalcanti on what she wants next
“I want to fight Miesha Tate or Karol Rosa. Karol Rosa is a very good girl, but she’s in my division. I want to fight everybody. I want (to be in the top 10). I worked for this.”
To hear more from Cavalcanti, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 251.
Be sure to visit the MMA Junkie Instagram page and YouTube channel to discuss this and more content with fans of mixed martial arts.
