Joselyne Edwards vs. Tamires Vidal took place in the women’s bantamweight division at UFC Fight Night: Hernandez vs. Pereira on October 19, 2024, at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Edwards rebounded from a two-fight skid with the first submission victory of her UFC career, defeating Vidal by rear-naked choke at 4:33 of the third round. The bout was contested at a 139-pound catchweight after Edwards missed weight by three pounds and forfeited 30% of her purse to Vidal.
The opening round was fought at a measured pace. Edwards immediately looked to capitalize on her height and reach advantage, using long jabs, front kicks, and straight punches to keep Vidal at the end of her strikes. Vidal attempted to close the distance with looping hooks and occasional clinch entries, but Edwards’ movement and sharper boxing consistently allowed her to score first. Although Vidal landed a few heavy counters when she forced exchanges, Edwards controlled much of the striking battle with superior volume and accuracy.
In the second round, Edwards became even more aggressive. She mixed body kicks with quick boxing combinations and began incorporating offensive wrestling into her attack. Several clinch exchanges saw Edwards land knees and elbows before briefly dragging Vidal to the canvas. While Vidal displayed toughness by scrambling back to her feet, she struggled to mount sustained offense as Edwards dictated the pace with constant pressure and cleaner technique.
Entering the final round, Vidal knew she needed a strong finish and came forward with greater urgency. She attempted to pressure Edwards against the fence and exchanged hard punches in the center of the Octagon. Edwards remained composed, landing crisp combinations while mixing in another successful takedown. During a late scramble on the ground, Edwards quickly took Vidal’s back, secured both hooks, and locked in a rear-naked choke. Vidal fought the hands briefly but was forced to tap at 4:33 of Round 3, giving Edwards an emphatic submission victory in the closing moments of the fight.
The performance marked an important turning point for Edwards. Despite the controversy surrounding her weight miss, she delivered one of the most complete performances of her UFC career by combining effective striking, improved wrestling, and a polished submission finish. For Vidal, it was a third consecutive UFC defeat, as she was unable to overcome Edwards’ range, athleticism, and increasingly well-rounded offense.
Fight Statistics
- Winner: Joselyne Edwards
- Method: Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
- Round: 3
- Time: 4:33
- Division: Women’s Bantamweight (139-pound catchweight)
- Event: UFC Fight Night: Hernandez vs. Pereira
- Venue: UFC Apex, Las Vegas, Nevada