Ashlee Evans-Smith defeated Fallon Fox at CFA 12, knocking out the transgender fighter in the third round Saturday night in Coral Gables, Fla.
Evans-Smith earned $20,000 for the featherweight tournament win. She was almost finished by Fox in the first round, but Evans-Smith was able to overcome the barrage. Evans-Smith easily won the second round, and almost defeated Fox in the final seconds, but Fox was saved by the bell.
In the third round, Evans-Smith fought off a heel hook submission attempt before eventually mounting her and defeating Fox via ground and pound at the 3:15 mark in the third round. It was Fox’s first career loss as a MMA fighter.
“She put up a fight, but I could feel her really getting tired,” Evans-Smith said after the fight.
In other action in the card, Efrain Escudero defeated Luis Palomino via unanimous decision (29-28 x3).