It’s not every day that we see a draw in the Octagon, but a point deduction resulted in a controversial one being declared in the opening UFC Vegas 122 prelim bout between Melissa Gatto and Ernesta Kareckaite.
A grappling-heavy first round saw Kareckaite grab the fence on more than one occasion. In fact, one resulted in her getting favor on a Gatto takedown attempt, resulting in Kareckaite receiving a one-point deduction.
Gatto controlled most of the first round following this, but Kareckaite responded in the second with her striking, landing a number of kicks and several combinations. Gatto was not deterred, however, and she scored a takedown in the third frame. On the ground, she was dangerous, taking the back and threatening both a choke and a last-second armbar.
One judge scored the bout 29-27 for Gatto, but the other two scored the fight 28-28, resulting in the draw.
Gatto is now 9-3-3 but is winless in four of her last five fights. She is 0-1-1 since returning earlier this year from a two-year layoff.
Kareckaite is 1-2-1 since earning a UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2023.
