Anna Melisano is stepping into the UFC on short notice, drawing Dione Barbosa in a one-division-up matchup at UFC Fight Night 280 on Saturday at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Melisano was signed to the UFC roster despite not winning on "The Ultimate Fighter 33," and received the short-notice offer from UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard after her episode aired. She will face Barbosa on the preliminary card in a bout above her usual strawweight division.
Coming off her first-round submission loss to Melissa Amaya on "The Ultimate Fighter 33," where she was Michael Bisping’s No. 1 pick, Melisano described the emotional swing that led to this debut. "It's been insane because coming out of the house, I was so down and I was like, 'I can't believe I just went on this show and put on that crap of a performance, and that just derailed my dreams for at least another year. I'm gonna have to wait till next season of Contenders,'" she said, adding, "All these thoughts were going through my head, and then out of nowhere, God was like, 'Chill, I got you.'"
Melisano has a 6-1 professional MMA record and is 0-0 in the UFC at the time of the fight. Managed by Eryk Anders under Iridium Sports Agency, she expects a stylistic clash with Barbosa. "It's gonna come down to who can implement their game plan better," Melisano said. "I think that she is gonna be willing to stand on the feet and trade with me a little bit. So I'm excited to be able to show my striking there and really shine there."
