Anna Melisano vs. Dione Barbosa
UFC Fight Night · July 18, 2026 · Paycom Center
OddsAnna Melisano +455·Dione Barbosa -625(DraftKings)
Dione Barbosa def. Anna Melisano — Submission (rear-naked choke), R1 4:04
The 'debut baptism' the prediction warned about, delivered almost to the letter. Barbosa closed distance immediately, put the short-notice debutant on the mat, and worked through dominant positions, attacking one submission after another until the rear-naked choke forced the tap at 4:04 of round one. Melisano defended gamely, but octagon experience was the widest gap in the fight — exactly as billed.
The breakdown below was written before the fight.
Octagon experience is the widest variable in women's flyweight prelims, and Barbosa has all of it. Expect clinch entries early, top control in the middle rounds, and either an arm-triangle finish or a clear decision. Melisano's late-fight surge is real, but she has to survive ten minutes of grappling to reach the round where she does her best work.
The Matchup
The cruelest kind of UFC debut: short notice, against a grappler with five octagon fights who has seen every level of this game. Barbosa's clinch-trip-to-arm-triangle pipeline is precisely the trap for a striker stepping up from Fury FC, and her 64% striking defense limits Melisano's path to landing clean. Melisano's case rests on fresh momentum, a reach edge, and Barbosa's so-so takedown timing — if she keeps her back off the fence, the fight stays winnable deep, where she's been finishing people.
Tale of the Tape
| Anna Melisano | Dione Barbosa | |
|---|---|---|
| 6-1 | Record | 9-4 |
| 29 | Age | 34 |
| 5'4.5" | Height | 5'6" |
| 68" | Reach | 65.5" |
| Orthodox | Stance | Orthodox |
| United States | Country | Brazil |
| Spartan Fitness MMA | Team | The Q MMA |
The Numbers
Career UFC averages. Red bar = statistical edge.
Anna Melisano
“Bandana”
A Northeast amateur-scene veteran (she competed for years as Anna Crutchfield) turned Fury FC regular, on a six-fight win streak since her lone pro loss in 2023. The recent trend is wearing opponents down late — two third-round stoppages in her last three. Takes her UFC debut on short notice, replacing Veronica Hardy against a proven octagon grappler.
- WAndrea Amaro · TKO (doctor stoppage), R3 2:56Fury FC 112 · December 14, 2025
- WLydia Warren · Submission (rear-naked choke), R1 4:17Fury FC 109 · September 7, 2025
- WBlanca Medina · KO/TKO, R3 3:28Fury FC 101 · February 7, 2025
Dione Barbosa
“The Witch”
A Recife judoka and Contender Series signee who has quietly gone 3-2 in the UFC, with wins over Kareckaite, Belbita, and most recently Melissa Gatto on a majority decision in April. Every finish of her career is a submission — she has never won by knockout — and the arm triangle off clinch takedowns is the signature. Fighting on a quick three-month turnaround.
- WMelissa Gatto · Decision (majority)UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs. Duncan · April 4, 2026
- LKarine Silva · Decision (unanimous)UFC 319 · August 16, 2025
- WDiana Belbita · Submission (arm triangle), R1 4:13UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs. Murphy · April 5, 2025