Irene Aldana vs. Karol Rosa 12/16/23 – The UFC have another exciting prelim card, this one taking place on December 16th, 2023 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. One intriguing matchup slated for UFC 296 features a women’s bantamweight clash between Irene Aldana and Karol Rosa. Both women bring strong striking pedigrees and well-rounded skills, making this an evenly-matched bout that could produce fireworks. As we provide daily premium sports advice, let’s break down the matchup.
Irene Aldana vs. Karol Rosa 12/16/23 Game Info
| When: | Saturday, December 16, 2023 at 8:00 PM ET |
| Where: | T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA |
| TV: | ESPN+ |
Irene Aldana Analysis
Irene Aldana enters with a professional record of 14-7-0. On the feet, she lands 4.86 significant strikes per minute with 39% striking accuracy. That precision striking allows her to control the distance well. Defensively, Aldana absorbs 5.71 significant strikes per minute but avoids damage with a very solid 59% striking defense rate. Her footwork and head movement outside of the pocket help mitigate absorbing too many clean head strikes. Aldana’s grappling metrics are less developed, which is the weakest area of her game. However, she does boast a 75% takedown defense rate thanks to slick hip movement and underhooks in the clinch. This should allow her to keep the fight standing where she is most dangerous.
In her last fight, Aldana took on dominant champion Nunes, losing by submission in round 3 after absorbing some damaging ground and pound strikes. Still, Aldana acquitted herself exceptionally well early on, using crisp technical boxing to land hard leg kicks and counter left hands over the top on the feet. She gave Nunes problems with her rangy style in the first 5 minutes. Aldana has genuine one-punch knockout power when she lets her hands go with precision, as evidenced by KO wins. At her best, she fights long and counters effectively. However, Aldana can get drawn into defensive mode on the backfoot if pressured aggressively, nullifying her offense.
Karol Rosa Analysis
Karol Rosa is an up-and-comer boasting a 17-5-0 professional record. Her standup metrics showcase an active fighter willing to throw high volume, as she lands 5.43 significant strikes per minute at an excellent 55% clip. Rosa fights well going forward, mixing together tightly leveraged punch combos with a diverse arsenal of kicks. She targets the legs, body and head fluidly when finding her striking rhythm. Her defense does lag a bit due to her aggression, absorbing over 4 significant strikes per minute while only defending 48% of what comes her way. That willingness to take one to give one has cost her in some fights. Where Rosa sets herself apart is her grappling acumen relative to the division. She shoots 1.38 successful takedowns per round, converging at a respectable 47% accuracy mark.
Once on the mat, Rosa is adept at passing guard and posturing up to rain down ground and pound strikes. She last took on Santos, losing a narrow split decision in a back-and-forth tactical fight. Her high-volume style produced over 100 significant strikes landed, showcasing her work rate. However, Santos largely neutralized her wrestling while doing damage in the clinch to eke out the victory. Still, it was a very close fight that demonstrated Rosa’s skills against elite competition. She is hitting her athletic prime with a well-rounded skill set.
Irene Aldana vs. Karol Rosa Stats
| Aldana | Rosa | |
| Wins/Losses/Draws | 14-7-0 | 17-5-0 |
| Average Fight Time | 14:36 | 15:00 |
| Height | 5′ 9″ | 5′ 5″ |
| Weight | 135 lbs. | 135 lbs. |
| Reach | 68″ | 67″ |
| Stance | Orthodox | Orthodox |
| Strikes Landed per Min. | 4.86 | 5.43 |
| Striking Accuracy | 39% | 55% |
| Strikes Absorbed per Min. | 5.71 | 4.17 |
| Defense | 59% | 48% |
| Takedowns Average/15 min. | 0.17 | 1.38 |
| Takedown Accuracy | 50% | 47% |
| Takedown Defense | 75% | 68% |
| Submission Average/15 min. | 0.3 | 0.0 |
Irene Aldana vs. Karol Rosa Betting Pick
When it comes to making a prediction, the choice leans towards Karol Rosa. Her superior striking rate and accuracy, combined with her grappling abilities, give her a well-rounded edge over Aldana. While Aldana’s striking power and reach advantage are significant, Rosa’s versatility and high work rate in the octagon might prove decisive in this matchup.
Free Pick: Karol Rosa +175
The bout between Irene Aldana and Karol Rosa at UFC 296 is a testament to the depth of talent in the Women’s Bantamweight division. Based on the analysis and UFC moneyline free picks, Rosa seems to have the slight edge due to her higher striking output and effective grappling. However, Aldana’s striking ability and experience in the octagon should not be underestimated, as she has the power to change the direction of the fight with her striking. This matchup promises to be a closely contested battle, highlighting the strategic and technical aspects of MMA.