Anna Melisano Makes UFC Debut Against Veteran Dione Barbosa in Oklahoma City

Anna Melisano makes her UFC Octagon debut against Dione Barbosa, a veteran flyweight with formidable grappling credentials, in a short-notice matchup at UFC Fight Night: Du Plessis vs. Usman in Oklahoma City. Melisano arrives with a six-fight winning streak and three consecutive stoppage victories, though she faces a steep challenge in her first official UFC bout against an opponent specializing in clinch work and ground control.

The Underdog Story

Melisano, 29 years old and based in Birmingham, was originally selected as Michael Bisping's top prospect on The Ultimate Fighter 34, but her season premiere appearance ended in defeat. Rather than languish in the elimination format, she secured a redemption opportunity on the UFC roster when she stepped in on short notice to replace Veronica Hardy. Her entry into the promotion comes at the 125-pound flyweight division—a weight class where her submission vulnerabilities may become more pronounced.

The American striker brings solid Muay Thai fundamentals and sharp boxing to the Octagon, demonstrated by her December triumph over Andrea Amaro, which resulted in a doctor's stoppage in the striking exchanges. However, her professional record reveals a concerning pattern: both her lone loss and her TUF 34 elimination came by submission, suggesting potential weaknesses in defensive grappling.

A Formidable Opponent

Barbosa, 34, represents one of the most challenging introductions to the UFC roster for a short-notice debutant. The Brazilian veteran holds black belts in both judo and jiu-jitsu and has built her UFC reputation on suffocating ground pressure and dominant clinch control. Recent form supports her favorite status—she claimed a majority decision victory over Melissa Gatto in April, even overcoming an illegal kick deduction in the second round. Barbosa has won two of her last three UFC contests, establishing herself as a durable test at 125 pounds.

Betting markets reflect the perceived gap in experience. Barbosa enters as an overwhelming minus-625 moneyline favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook, while Melisano sits at plus-455 odds as the underdog. The fight total is set at over/under 2.5 rounds, suggesting analysts expect an early resolution should the grappling matchup unfold as anticipated.