Prior to each UFC card, Jay Primetown takes a close look at debuting fighters. In the latest installment, we look at Venezuelan newcomer Veronica Macedo as she makes his UFC debut against veteran Ashlee Evans-Smith at UFC Fight Night 93 in Hamburg, Germany. Veronica Macedo Hometown: Venezuela Age: 20 Height: 5’3” Reach: 64” Weight Class: Women’s Bantamweight Camp: Ankos MMA Poznan Career Record: 5-0 Key Wins: None Key Losses: None Background One of the quickest call ups in UFC history having fought professionally for roughly six months, Macedo has already fought five times this year winning all five of her professional bouts. She’s been training in martial arts for a long time having already amassed a black belt in taekwando as well as brown belts in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and karate. Strengths
- Good kicking game
Weaknesses
- Undersized for the division and likely dropping to strawweight after this bout
- Can be out muscled and pushed around in the cage
- Poor takedown defense
- Has yet to face adversity in her bouts
Match-up against Ashlee Evans-Smith The matchup comes down to size. Macedo is an undersized bantamweight and will be making the drop down to strawweight in her next fight. Evans-Smith is one of the biggest fighters in the bantamweight division standing at 5’8”. Furthermore, Evans-Smith is a very capable wrestler having secured 1.5 takedowns per 15 minutes in the octagon. She’s a powerful bantamweight which is problematic for Macedo. I expect the American to be able secure takedowns with ease in this bout and maintain top control for the majority of the bout. The only way I can see Macedo win is by an opportunistic submission in a scramble. UFC Ceiling Macedo is a very young fighter who should improve with each and every bout she is in. Her kicking game appears advanced, but in this weight class she will have little opportunity to use it as the bigger bantamweights will be able to take her to the ground with ease. Her submission game is tricky and could test some fighters, but it’s tough to gauge her potential until she’s at her proper weightclass. Fight Film Check out Veronica Macedo in some of her most recent fights: Veronica Macedo vs. Karine Gevorgyan Veronica Macedo vs. Camilla Hinze