UFC on ABC 3 'Ortega vs. Rodriguez' Play-by-play, scores and round-robin scoring

Sherdog telecast live on UFC on ABC 3 “Ortega vs. Rodriguez” will begin Saturday at 11 a.m. ET.

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BET OVERVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Ducote (-150), Penne (+130)

Round 1

In what looks like a rock free fight card on paper, the UFC will show its plumage on the ABC network in what will be an early morning show for most of the United States. An early start time means an early finish, so fight fans and media can enjoy a Saturday night without a UFC show until the morning. This dozen-fight show kicks off in the lightest division on the roster, between two former Invicta FC champions. Former 105-pound queen Penne (14-5, 3-3 UFC), making her seventh UFC appearance since joining the league more than seven years ago, faces debutant and recently retired 115-pound champion Ducote (11 – 6, 0-0 UFC). This potential “passing the torch” card opener will be officiated by referee Jacob Montalvo, and the ladies don’t bother with a touch of gloves to start the day. Ducote looked to establish his range early, with several landing punches. Penne responds in kind as they stand squarely across from each other and punch in the center of the cage, neither woman giving much room as they try to square things up. One punches to land, the other hits back just like him, and this eye-for-eye exchange continues. Ducote lands a low kick to the left hand and Penne’s eyes open a little wider as he takes the hit. The newcomer cuts to the leg and lands another check left hook across the nose, and Pene is already looking a little scarred after just a few punches. Ducote gets to his opponent with jabs and chops Penne with an overhand right, and Penne has enough of that and charges forward for a draw. “Pride” tosses her aside and continues to work on Pene’s lead pig, who is quickly blushing. Penne steps in to set up a clinch, and she connects three knees to the body together before breaking the elbow on the bow. Ducote fights her off and continues her active attack with a leg kick, and Penne tries to break it up by engaging Ducote in a brawl. This doesn’t work in her favor as Ducote’s hands are a bit quicker, catching Penne with several hooks on the inside. Penne fights back with a hard kick to the chest and Ducote steps through to hit Penne in the face with a left hand. Ducote lands a right to the body and a left to the head and Penne rushes forward only to be pushed aside. Ducote’s leg kicks on the outside continue to damage Penne’s wheel as it is already red and streaked. Penne counters from the top and Ducote stands firm and nails her with a right hand. The round ends when both ladies fold their hands.

Sherdog results

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ducote Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Ducote Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Ducote

Round 2

The second round begins with some quick exchanges between the two and Penne starts fast but is outclassed as they trade punches. Ducote doesn’t let up on kicking her opponent’s lead leg, and Penne’s poker face fades as she soaks up those irresponsible calf kicks. Ducote follows up with a right hand to the jaw and she splits guard with a left hook as she lands a jab. Both are charging hard and Ducote’s arch is cleaner as it lands while Penne’s scrapes the chin. Ducote gets two punches to the jaw and shakes them off so she can pay Penne and that leads Penne to a shot. When that fails, Penne looks to retain the clinch and Ducote doesn’t stay in and get knees like he used to. As they separate, Penne lands his jab, giving Ducote time to think, and also lands a leg kick. Ducote reaches for it with his right hand and Pene catches it and lifts a knee. Penne maintains her jab as Ducote takes her down, and this has the positive effect of keeping the newcomer at bay. Penne kicks the body as Ducote looks to low kick her, and a left hand slams into Ducote’s nose. Another takedown attempt is botched by Penne and Ducote makes her think twice with two looping hooks that land on either side of Penne’s dome. Punches from Penne keep the blood flowing from Ducote’s nose and Ducote recovers and goes on the attack. She hits Penne with four clean punches, knocking Penne back into the wall and causing Penne to raise his knee to hold his foe back. Ducote still gets to her with a few more and the horn goes off.

Sherdog results

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ducote Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Ducote Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Ducote

Round 3

While Penne looks to start the final round with an effective distance fight, using her jab as her most effective weapon, she can’t stop Ducote’s leg kicks. Calf kicks from the newcomer drew visible reactions from Penne, and Penne could no longer hide the pain or keep her full balance. This causes Ducote to lose a few more and Penne gets his leg up and holds him because he can’t keep his weight on him. Ducote lands a right hand that hits Penne and Penne’s other knee is rocking from the damage. Penne is throwing kicks off that injured leg so he’s not a kick target, and Ducote continues to target that swollen calf. Ducote lands two more and she wipes them out with a right. Penne sits down with all her strength to counter with a right hook, but she doesn’t have enough power to earn Ducote’s respect. “Pride” moves forward and makes Pene back off, and she mixes in body shots so Pene doesn’t just focus on that particular shot. Pene bites her mouthpiece and lunges hard, her right hands turning red. Ducote walks through everything Penne wings at her, and she calmly hits her legs inside and out. Pene resists and her right eye begins to swell from the left hands crushing her cheek. Ducote is firmly in her groove and Penne tries valiantly to make her pay for every punch that lands on her. Ducote charges in with a right hand that lands flush and Penne is right there to back away with reckless abandon. Ducote lands another on the chin and she threads a left hook into a low kick that draws a clear limp from Penne. Penne’s heart on display could not be questioned and she made it to the final bell despite taking heavy damage to her lead leg.

Sherdog results

Jay Pettry Scores Round: 10-9 Ducote (30-27 Ducote) Tristen Critchfield Scores Round: 10-9 Ducote (30-27 Ducote) Tudor Leonte Scores Round: 10-9 Ducote (30-27 Ducote)

Official result

Emily Ducote def Jessica Penne by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) BETTING OVERVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Grant (-140), Stolzfuss (+120)