A Historic Night at the Apex
Last Saturday, the MMA landscape witnessed a truly unique moment during the clash between Alice Ardelean and Polyana Viana at UFC Vegas 117. While much of the sporting world's attention was focused elsewhere, Ardelean managed to etch her name into history by executing a submission technique that had never been seen inside the Octagon before.
The Power of Manifestation
Speaking after the bout, Ardelean—who sported protective eyewear due to a corneal scratch—revealed that the maneuver was far more spontaneous than a calculated fight strategy. Despite identifying primarily as a striker, Ardelean admitted that she occasionally pulls off bizarre, improvised grappling maneuvers.
«This whole thing is very weird to me. It's just proved to me the power of talking and the power of thought, because I had this as a backup plan,» Ardelean shared. «I'm a striker. I do like grappling, but I'm very awkward when it comes to submissions. I've submitted a few people, but with very unconventional, weird stuff.»
Executing the Unthinkable
The fight began with Ardelean dictating the pace on the feet. However, as the contest progressed, the two fighters engaged in a tight exchange that led to the ground. When Viana secured a body triangle from the bottom—a position often used to control opponents—Ardelean saw an opening she had prepared for, albeit somewhat skeptically.
Ardelean had spotted a similar technique on social media nearly two years prior. She had drilled the improvised move with teammate Phil Rowe during her training camp, though she remained hesitant to use it due to the risk of leaving herself vulnerable to an armbar.
Once on the mat, she committed to the move:
- She pulled her right arm toward Viana's heel.
- She pushed it inward toward the groin to create a fulcrum.
- By adjusting her position to force the body triangle to compress further, she induced enough pain to secure the tap-out, effectively creating a modified calf slicer.
Overcoming Physical Adversity
The victory becomes even more remarkable considering Ardelean’s physical condition. She revealed that she entered the fight with a torn meniscus, an injury she sustained just seven weeks earlier during a training session. Ardelean admitted that she has a tendency to overtrain and had even predicted the injury before it happened.
Reflecting on her journey, the Romanian fighter remained humble about her technical proficiency on the canvas.
«The craziest part is I'm a blue belt. Let's start there. My grappling sucks,» Ardelean stated. «I don't really submit people. I'm getting submitted 15 times per minute. But if I do catch somebody, it's definitely a very weird move.»
After a performance that defied expectations and showcased her unique, unpredictable skill set, Ardelean plans to head home for a break. While she is in no immediate rush to return to the cage, her historic finish ensures that fans will be watching closely whenever she competes next.