MMA Match Preview: Montserrat Rendon (6-1-0) vs. Alice Pereira (5-0-0)

Event & Venue Details

Event: UFC Fight Night 259 — Noche UFC: Lopes vs. Silva

Location: Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, Texas, USA

Expected Walkout Time: ~3:00 PM ET / 2:00 PM CT (Prelim bout 2 of 14)

Broadcast: ESPN+ (U.S.), TNT Sports (UK), UFC Fight Pass (international)

Bout Billing: Early prelim — experience vs. youth in a striker-vs-grappler clash

Injury & Availability Report

Montserrat Rendon: No current injuries reported. Last fought in March 2024, losing to Darya Zheleznyakova by unanimous decision. Had a scheduled fight with Melissa Mullins cancelled due to undisclosed reasons.

Alice Pereira: No injuries reported. Making her UFC debut after a perfect 5-0 run on the South American regional circuit.

Recent Form & Fight History

Montserrat Rendon

Last 5: W-W-W-L-W (pro)

UFC:

Win — Tamires Vidal (SD, UFC FN 228, Sep 2023)

Loss — Darya Zheleznyakova (UD, UFC on ESPN 53, Mar 2024)

Style: Grappling-heavy approach; uses size and strength to control in clinch and on the mat; all six wins by decision.

Concerns: Struggles to produce damage; can be outpaced in striking exchanges.

Alice Pereira

Last 5: W-W-W-W-W (pro)

Regional Highlights:

Win — Samara Santos (UD, Dec 2024) — only fight to go the distance.

Multiple sub-20 second KOs in early career.

Style: Tall, rangy kickboxer with knockout power; uses jab and front kicks to manage distance; aggressive finisher.

Concerns: Level of opposition has been low (combined opponent record 15-15); untested in deep waters.

Matchup Analysis

Striking:

Pereira: Clear edge in reach, power, and finishing instincts.

Rendon: Functional striking, but primarily to set up grappling entries.

Grappling:

Rendon: Strong in clinch and top control; landed 3 of 6 takedowns in last fight despite loss.

Pereira: Unknown defensive wrestling at UFC level; must prove she can stuff takedowns.

Cardio:

Rendon: Proven over three rounds; pace can be steady but not overwhelming.

Pereira: Has slowed in later rounds when fights extend past 7 minutes.

Intangibles:

Rendon: Vast experience edge, composure under UFC lights.

Pereira: Youth, athleticism, and momentum — but debut nerves possible.

Betting Trends

Line Movement: Pereira opened around -160; steady action on the debutant has pushed her into the -190 to -220 range.

Public Action: Majority of public bets on Pereira ML; some sharp interest on Rendon as a live dog due to experience gap.

Prop Interest:

Pereira by KO/TKO (+250 to +300) — popular given her finish rate.

Rendon by Decision (+250 to +275) — aligns with her career win pattern.

Historical Trends:

Rendon: All 6 wins by decision.

Pereira: 4 of 5 wins inside the distance; only decision win came in last fight.