Melissa Croden defeated Darya Zheleznyakova by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) at UFC Winnipeg. The victory marked Croden's return to the win column after a December loss and improved her record to 8-3. Notably, this was Croden's first career decision victory, as her previous seven wins all came by finish (six knockouts and one submission). Zheleznyakova's record now stands at 10-3 overall and 2-2 in the UFC.
Melissa Croden returned to winning ways at UFC Winnipeg on April 18, earning a unanimous decision victory over Darya Zheleznyakova with all three judges scoring the bout 29-28 in her favor.
Croden, now 8-3, entered the fight looking to bounce back from a loss suffered in December. The 35-year-old orthodox striker stands five-foot-nine with a 68-inch reach and has built her reputation almost entirely on finishing opponents — six of her previous seven wins came by knockout and one by submission. The decision victory in Winnipeg was the first of her career, demonstrating a new dimension to her game. She lands 4.1 significant strikes per minute at a 48 percent accuracy rate and also contributes on the ground, averaging 1.02 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Zheleznyakova, who falls to 10-3 overall, now sits at 2-2 inside the UFC following the defeat. She had entered the contest with a solid overall record but was unable to secure a third UFC win on the night.
Why it matters
- Croden's first career decision win shows she can adapt beyond her finishing instincts, adding range to her skill set.
- The bounce-back victory after a December loss keeps Croden relevant in the division's rankings conversation.
- Zheleznyakova's second UFC loss leaves her needing a strong response to maintain her footing on the roster.
