Alencar vs Rodriguez Preview: Strawweight Grappler Meets Striker

On paper, Talita Alencar and Piera Rodriguez are mirror images. The Brazilian, known as "Problem Child," does her best work on the mat. The Venezuelan, "La Fiera," does her damage on the feet and in the clinch. The two unranked strawweights meet on Saturday, Oct. 31, at UFC Fight Night inside Meta APEX in Las Vegas, where the card opens at 2 p.m. local time and the main card follows at 5 p.m.

Rodriguez, 33, has the physical edge. At 5-foot-3 she's two inches taller than the 5-foot-1 Alencar, and her 63.5-inch reach is five inches longer than the Brazilian's 58.5. She also brings the stronger record, 12-2-0 to Alencar's 8-1-1, and the longer UFC résumé: she debuted in April 2022, while Alencar, 35, arrived in December 2023.

• Volume and accuracy: Rodriguez lands 4.04 significant strikes per minute at 47%. Alencar lands 3.09 per minute at 36%.
• Defense: Rodriguez absorbs 3.13 per minute and avoids 54% of what comes at her. Alencar absorbs 3.67 and avoids 51%.
• Power: Five of Rodriguez's wins are knockouts, and she carries a 0.14 knockdown average. Alencar has no knockout wins and has yet to score a knockdown.
• Where the strikes land: 30% of Rodriguez's significant strikes come in the clinch and just 8% on the ground. Alencar lands 27% of hers on the mat and 12% in the clinch.
• Grappling: Alencar is the submission threat, averaging 0.50 attempts per 15 minutes; Rodriguez has no submission wins and has yet to attempt one in the UFC. On takedown defense the edge flips: Rodriguez stuffs 82% of attempts, Alencar 67%.

Don't expect this one to be short. Alencar's average UFC fight lasts 14:56, just four seconds shy of 15 minutes, and Rodriguez's runs 13:27. Seven of Rodriguez's 12 wins went to the judges, as did four of Alencar's eight. Alencar's other four came by submission. That sets up the key question: can Alencar break through an 82% takedown defense and drag the fight into her world, or will Rodriguez keep it standing, where she holds the advantage in reach, accuracy and power?

The card gets underway at 2 p.m., so plan to be there for the first bout. Get your seat: UFC Fight Night Oct. 31 tickets.