Stephanie Luciano happy to prove Dana White right in debut at UFC on ESPN 61

LAS VEGAS – Stephanie Luciano beat Talita Alencar with a unanimous decision Saturday to open the preliminary card at UFC on ESPN 61 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Take a look inside the fight with Luciano, who picked up a win in her UFC debut – and avenged a draw with Alencar on Dana White’s Contender Series.

Stephanie Luciano def. Talita Alencar

Result: Stephanie Luciano def. Talita Alencar via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Updated records: Luciano (6-1-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Alencar (5-1-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC)

Key stats: Luciano doubled up on Alencar in the striking department and stuffed nine of her 10 takedown attempts.

Luciano on the fight’s key moment

“I think it was unavoidable (to have a rematch with Alencar) – especially after what happened on the Contender Series. It was such a tough fight, and it ended up being a draw. She comes in with such strong jiu-jitsu, and I was able to display a lot of striking. I’m surprised (the rematch) was my debut in the UFC. I thought I had an impeccable performance. I thought it was great.”

Luciano on winning her UFC debut

“I’m very happy. This is the place where I want to be. To be in this organization and have such a great win, so technical, and it worked so well – it feels like a dream come true. It’s so incredible to actually live your dreams.”

Luciano on what she wants next

“I had an expectation to fight three times this year, but I had a fight at the start of the year that was canceled. I do want to fight, and hopefully I can fight in December or even November.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 61.