UFC on ESPN 12 rookie report: Grading the newcomers in Las Vegas

Fighters from around the globe dream of the day they’ll step into the UFC octagon for the first time. For four athletes, Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 12 event marked that special moment in their respective careers.

Check out this week’s rookie report to see what kind of first impression they made on the sport’s biggest stage from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

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Jinh Yu Frey

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JUNE 27: (L-R) Jinh Yu Frey punches Kay Hansen in their strawweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on June 27, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

Division: Strawweight
Result: Kay Hansen def. Jinh Yu Frey via submission (armbar) – Round 3, 2:26
Record: 9-5 MMA, 0-1 UFC
Grade: C-

Former Invicta FC atomweight champion Jinh Yu Frey showed the calmness and composure you’d expect of an experienced operator on her UFC debut, but after an encouraging start, she ended up succumbing to the grappling skills of her (also debuting) opponent.

Frey started out smartly and did well to evade a couple of blitz attacks from Hansen. Then, after the frantic opening moments, the 35-year-old quickly settled into her rhythm and consistently found a home for her counter left hand. Frey also did well to prevent Hansen from taking her to the mat when the young debutant looked to close the distance and initiate the clinch. In a very encouraging opening round Frey also scored well with a couple of knees and a kick as she broke from the clinch late on.

But after a good first round, Frey had a tricky second as she was taken to the mat by Hansen and smothered, leaving her to work smartly from her back to prevent her opponent from working her way into a submission position. She was successful in that regard, but was unable to repeat the trick in the third round when she found herself caught in an armbar attempt, then a triangle choke as she sat up looking to escape. That situation then allowed Hansen to return her attention to Frey’s arm as the former Invicta champ wisely tapped before sustaining an arm injury that could leave her on the shelf for a lengthy period.

Overall, there were certainly encouraging signs for Frey, as she looked by far the better fighter on the feet. But once the action hit the mat she ended up outmatched by the 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu purple belt as she suffered a debut defeat.

Next up: Record-setting youngster claims debut win to remember