MMA Match Preview: Daria Zhelezniakova (9-2-0) vs. Melissa Mullins (7-1-0)
The women’s bantamweight division will see an exciting clash as Daria “Iron Lady” Zhelezniakova takes on Melissa “No Mess” Mullins at UFC Baku, hosted at Baku Crystal Hall in Azerbaijan. Mullins enters as the favorite, while Zhelezniakova looks to pull off an upset and climb the rankings.
Fight Details
Date: Saturday, June 21, 2025
Time: Preliminary Card – Approx. 5:30 PM UTC
Venue: Baku Crystal Hall, Baku, Azerbaijan
Event: UFC Fight Night: Hill vs. Rountree
Fighter Profiles & Stats
Daria Zhelezniakova (Russia) – The Iron Lady
Record: 9-2-0
Age: 29
Height: 5’9″
Weight: 135 lbs
Reach: 68″
Strikes Landed Per Minute: 3.29
Striking Accuracy: 38%
Takedown Accuracy: 100%
Significant Strike Defense: 79%
Zhelezniakova is a technical striker with a strong takedown game, boasting a perfect takedown conversion rate. She absorbs only 1.70 significant strikes per minute, making her one of the more defensively sound fighters in the division. However, she suffered a submission loss to Ailin Perez in her last fight, exposing potential weaknesses in her ground game.
Melissa Mullins (England) – No Mess
Record: 7-1-0
Age: 33
Height: 5’7″
Weight: 135 lbs
Reach: 68″
Strikes Landed Per Minute: 3.43
Striking Accuracy: 56%
Takedown Accuracy: 37%
Significant Strike Defense: 49%
Mullins is a powerful striker, known for her knockout ability, with four KO/TKO victories, including three in Round 1. She enters as the clear favorite (-270 odds) and is ranked #17 in the bantamweight division. Her last fight saw her secure a second-round knockout victory over Klaudia Sygula, proving her ability to finish fights.
Key Matchups to Watch
Striking Battle: Mullins has the edge in accuracy (56%), but Zhelezniakova has better defense (79%).
Takedown Game: Zhelezniakova has a 100% takedown accuracy, while Mullins defends 85% of takedown attempts.
Fight Pace: Mullins absorbs 3.26 strikes per minute, meaning Zhelezniakova could exploit openings with counter-strikes.
FIGHT ODDS
Daria Zhelezniakova + 220
Melissa Mullins – 270
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, June 20, 2025
