Szabova vs Lisboa: UFC Newcomer Meets 'Thai Panther' in the Clinch

Lucia Szabova of Slovakia, 28, makes her UFC debut on Oct. 31 at Meta APEX in Las Vegas, facing Brazil's Tainara "Thai Panther" Lisboa at women's flyweight on the UFC Fight Night card. UFC stats aren't available for her yet, so fans will be learning about her in real time.

Lisboa (7-4), 35, has been competing in the Octagon since May 2023. She stands 5-foot-7 with a matching 67-inch reach, and she does a lot of her work up close: 38% of her significant strikes land in the clinch, 60% at distance and only 2% on the ground. She isn't a volume striker, landing 2.01 significant strikes per minute and absorbing 2.88, with 46% strike defense and 53% takedown defense. She does average 1.67 takedowns per 15 minutes, and her UFC fights run long, 13:28 on average.

Her finishes are split evenly, three by knockout and three by submission, and three of her wins came in the first round. So it comes down to this: how will a newcomer handle an opponent who wants to tie her up and drag the fight into the later rounds?

Prelims begin at 2 p.m. local time, main card at 5 p.m. Secure your seat: UFC Fight Night Las Vegas tickets.