J.J. Aldrich ready to make flyweight her home after crucial UFC Tampa win

TAMPA, Fla. – J.J. Aldrich beat Lauren Mueller with a unanimous decision Saturday to open the preliminary card at UFC on ESPN+ 19 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla.

Take a look inside the fight with Aldrich, who got back in the win column after a March loss to Maycee Barber.

Result: J.J. Aldrich def. Lauren Mueller via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Updated records: Aldrich (8-3 MMA, 4-2 UFC), Mueller (5-3 MMA, 1-3 UFC)
Key stat: Aldrich won the striking battle 78-60 to hand Mueller her third straight loss.

Aldrich on the fight’s key moment

“Afterwards, my corner asked me how I felt and I told them that I felt really good and won the fight. I knew she won the second round, so I wanted to come out in the third and put on a dominant performance – and I feel like I did that.”

Aldrich on getting back in the win column

“I really needed this, just for myself more than anything. I’m here for a reason and I do belong here. I wanted to prove to myself that I can compete. Even when I get hit, I can still come out and win.”

Aldrich on what she wants next

“This is my first win at flyweight. I felt really good. I’m not a small flyweight. I was a pretty big strawweight, and I had been cutting to that because that was where the UFC had fights. But I’m glad to make flyweight my home and shoot for the stars.”

To hear more from Aldrich, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.