Daria Zhelezniakova’s Body Attack Settled the Score
Daria Zhelezniakova defeated Melissa Mullins by unanimous decision at UFC Baku on June 21, 2025. Their bantamweight rematch at Baku Crystal Hall ended with scores of 30–27, 30–27 and 29–28, reversing the outcome of their first meeting outside the UFC.
A sharp start met a late submission threat
Zhelezniakova attacked with combinations early and bloodied Mullins during the opening round. Mullins answered with punches of her own, then secured a late takedown and advanced to mount.
An armbar attempt created danger before the horn, but Zhelezniakova survived. The exchange gave Mullins a significant response after spending much of the round absorbing the stronger standing attacks.
A body shot interrupted Mullins’s recovery
Both women continued trading in the second. Zhelezniakova connected with another combination before a punch to the body visibly hurt Mullins and forced her to seek a takedown.
Mullins completed the entry and ended the round on top. It bought her time, but did not erase the striking success that Zhelezniakova had already produced.
The rematch went to Zhelezniakova
Mullins continued pursuing the ground game in the third. A fence grab helped Zhelezniakova prevent a return to the mat during one exchange, and she completed the contest without a point deduction.
The unanimous verdict avenged Zhelezniakova’s 2022 loss to Mullins in ARES FC. It also restored her to winning form after her previous UFC appearance ended in a submission defeat against Ailin Perez.
Sources
- UFC: Baku venue, date and official judges’ totals
- Cageside Press: 2022 first meeting, armbar threat, body shot and fence grab
- UFC: Baku victory and previous Ailin Perez defeat
