Prior to each UFC card, Jay Primetown takes a close look at debuting fighters. In the latest installment, we look at Alaskan fighter Gina Mazany as she makes her UFC debut against former bantamweight title challenger Sara McMann at UFC Fight Night 105 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Gina “Danger” Mazany Hometown: Anchorage, Alaska Age: 28 Height: 5-foot-6 Reach: 66 inches Weight Class: Women’s Bantamweight Camp: Xtreme Couture Career Record: 4-0 Key Wins: None Key Losses: Julianna Pena (on The Ultimate Fighter) Background A former participant on The Ultimate Fighter, Mazany lost to eventual show champion and Top 5 bantamweight Julianna Pena. In her professional career, the Alaska Fighting Championship veteran has won all four of her career fights, three of which have been by stoppage. Strengths
- Amateur boxing background
- Physical fighter that is willing to fight along the fence for position
- Strong in top control
- Good ground-and-pound
Weaknesses
- Took a three-year break from the sport from 2013 to 2016
- Stands flat-footed
- Limited ability to get back to her feet when taken down
- Lacks Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu background necessary to submit an opponent off her back
Fighter Grade Offensive Striking: C- Striking Defense: D+ Knockout Power: D+ Athleticism / Speed: D Footwork: D Chin: D+ Offensive Wrestling: D+ Takedown Defense: D Submissions: D Conditioning: D Intangibles: D+ Overall Grade: D Matchup with Sara McMann A matchup of two bantamweights that are at their best in the same areas of MMA square off at UFC Fight Night 105 when Sara McMann welcomes Mazany to the UFC. Mazany is at her best when she can score takedowns and work in ground-and-pound. Unfortunately for her, she’s facing perhaps the wrestler in women’s MMA. McMann is an Olympic medalist in wrestling and the physically stronger fighter. In a stand-up contest, McMann certainly is the more powerful striker and can also do damage in that regard. In all likelihood, I see McMann taking Mazany to the mat and beating her up on the ground. Mazany has been so inactive (only one fight since 2013), and it’s going to take a stunning upset for her to get the win in this fight against one of the best fighters in the weight class. McMann is a -550 favorite and deservedly so. She has the advantage in every facet of this bout and has been fighting much better competition throughout her career. McMann is certainly worth consideration as a parlay leg. If you’re looking for a prop, I think a stoppage victory (+177) is the best opportunity in this bout given the significant gap in skill sets. UFC Ceiling Mazany physically is ready to compete in the UFC, but her experience is limited. She’s only fought once in the last three years, which is a major issue for a fighter making a significant jump to compete against better fighters. If Mazany dedicates herself full-time to MMA, she may be able to win a couple fights in the UFC against lower-tier competition, but she needs to improve her movement on the feet and her BJJ skill set if she has any chance to crack the top half of the women’s bantamweight division. Fight Film Check out Mazany in some of her most recent fights… Mazany vs. Katie Halley (Available on UFC Fight Pass) https://www.ufc.tv/video/gina-mazany-vs-katie-halley-alaska-fighting-championship-afc-124 Mazany vs. Julianna Pena on TUF