Shelda Chipito uses ground work and footwork to dominate in pro MMA debut

Shelda Chipito’s martial arts journey began with kickboxing at a young age before making her way to the wild world of MMA. Chipito went 9-4 as an amateur, which includes four victories via a finish and going the distance in all four of her losses. Chipito makes her professional MMA debut tonight.

Miracle Andrew views herself as an all-around technical fighter, focused on her striking. Andrew was a champion on the amateur circuit, as well as a kickboxing champion in her native Nigeria. Andrew is 1-1 as a pro, defeating Quadri Balikis and losing to Immaculata Nelson in April.

Which of these two will impress in this women’s strawweight showcase that opens up the PFL’s final card of the year?

Round 1

Low kick by Andrew. Combination from Chipito. Combination from Andrew. Chipito misses the overhand. Strong right hand by Andrew. Another strong leg kick from Andrew, but Chipito lands a left hand. We’ve got a clinch battle, and Chipito lands a couple of knees before pressing Andrew into the fence. Chipito’s got underhooks in and she’s looking for the trip. Andrew defends, but Chipito gets her down and gets into full mount. Andrew trying to buck Chipito off of her. Andrew gives up her back, and Chipito goes for the rear-naked choke.

Chipito continues the back attack, looking to sink in the choke and find a body triangle. Chipito gets Andrew flattened on her stomach now. The choke is in, and Chipito is cranking. Andrew fights the hands and escapes. Chipito remains on her back and keeps that control. Chipito lets her fists go in the closing seconds of the round, landing at will until the bell.

Round 2

Low kick by Chipito. And another as Andrew tries to work the jab. Left roundhouse kick by Chipito to the head of Andrew. Andrew goes for a clinch, but Chipito goes for a guillotine counter before pressuring her into the fence again. Chipito looking for the double underhooks again. Andrew lands a couple of small shots to the bodies. Chipito lands a couple of knees to the body. Chipito gets the takedown two minutes into the round, and she quickly flattens Andrew out again.

Chipito lands several right hands, keeping heavy pressure on the ground. Chipito continues to land, trying to synch in the choke. She’s got an arm around Andrew, but it doesn’t look under the chin. Andrew looking to defend again and trying to escape. Now Chipito appears to have a crossface in instead of a choke. One minute remaining in the round. Andrew tries to turn out of Chipito’s control, but Chipito keeps a hold of her. The round ends with Chipito again being unrelenting with grappling pressure on an overwhelmed Andrew.

Round 3

Right hand by Andrew. Right hand by Chipito. Overhand right by Chipito. Another overhand by Chipito, getting out of the way of Andrew’s attack. Round kick by Chipito. Chipito blocks an Andrew kick. Left hand by Andrew. Andrew misses an overhand right but lands a low kick. Left hand by Chipito. Low kick by Chipito. Chipito lands a left hook. Another left hand catches Andrew coming in. Another Chipito overhand. Chipito is really trying to find that left overhand to end the fight suddenly.

Low kick by Andrew. Chipito with a quick left. And another. Right hand by Chipito. Another left from Chipito. Low kick by Andrew. Overhands from both women here. Left hand from Chipito again. Chipito cracks Andrew again. Right hand by Andrew. Right hand by Chipito, but Andrew lands the left hook counter. A lot of single-shot attacks here. Low kick by Andrew. Andrew flashes a one-two. Both women flash their jab. Overhands from both women. Round kick by Chipito, and Andrew responds in kind. Left hand and a body kick miss for Andrew. One more kick from each woman to finish the fight.

OFFICIAL RESULT

Shelda Chipito def. Miracle Andrew via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)