Cooper Albers previews Norma Dumont vs. Joselyne Edwards at UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs. Zalal.
With the women’s bantamweight division wide open, Saturday’s clash between surging contenders may determine the next challenger for Kayla Harrison’s 135-pound title.
At the Meta APEX, No. 3-ranked Norma Dumont meets No. 11 Joselyne Edwards in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 116.
Dumont (13–2, 9–2 UFC) enters on a six-fight win streak, most recently earning a split-decision over Ketlen Vieira in November. Edwards (17–6, 8–4 UFC) has won four straight — all by finish — punctuated by a second-round submission of Nora Cornolle in February.
Dumont enters as a -218 moneyline favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook, while Edwards sits as a +180 underdog. The total is set at O/U 2.5 rounds.
After six years with the promotion, Norma Dumont is within striking distance of her first UFC title shot. The Brazilian contender, 35, has rattled off six consecutive victories, highlighted by an impressive 3–0 start at bantamweight. Since dropping to 135 pounds, “The Immortal” has notched decision wins over longtime contender Ketlen Vieira, former title challenger Irene Aldana, and former featherweight champ Germaine de Randamie.
Dumont is a master of control, specializing in Sanda — also known as “Chinese kickboxing” — to dictate tempo and positioning. While it hasn’t yielded many finishes, her blend of fast-paced striking and explosive throws and takedowns has proved a reliable formula on the scorecards.
If Joselyne Edwards was searching for consistency inside the Octagon, she may have found it over the last year and a half. The Panamanian striker, 30, has recorded four-straight stoppage victories, including submissions of Nora Cornolle and Tamires Vidal, as well as first-round knockouts of Chelsea Chandler and Priscila Cachoeira.
“La Pantera” boasts a 71% career finish rate with seven knockouts, five submissions, and a pair of first-round stoppages. But questions remain about the level of competition she has faced. Specifically, can she maintain this momentum against the No. 3-ranked contender in the world?
Experience should play a major factor in this one. Dumont has bested some of the top bantamweights that the UFC has to offer, while Edwards has yet to be truly tested against the division’s elite. Expect “The Immortal” to lean on her Octagon experience as she scores her seventh-straight decision win, vaulting herself into the title picture.
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