MMA Match Preview: Melissa Croden (5-1) vs. Tainara Lisboa (7-2)

Venue & Fight Details

Event: UFC Fight Night: de Ridder vs. Allen

Bout: Melissa Croden vs. Tainara Lisboa – Women’s Bantamweight (135 lbs), 3 rounds

Location: Rogers Arena, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Time: Preliminary Card (approx. 5:00 p.m. ET start)

Broadcast: ESPN+ / UFC Fight Pass

Fighter Records & Recent Form

Melissa Croden (Canada, 5-1-0): A tall bantamweight (5’11”) with a long reach and kickboxing base. She’s 4-1 in her last five, with her only loss coming via decision. Croden is making her UFC debut after success on the regional Canadian circuit.

Tainara Lisboa (Brazil, 7-2-0, 3 KOs, 3 Subs): A Muay Thai specialist with a dangerous clinch game and improving grappling. Lisboa is 3-1 in the UFC, including a submission win over Luana Santos in May 2025.

Recent Form (last 5 fights):

Croden: W–W–L–W–W

Lisboa: W–W–L–W–W

Injury Report

Both fighters enter with no reported injuries and full training camps completed.

Key Matchups

Striking: Croden uses her length and jab to keep opponents at range, while Lisboa thrives in close with elbows, knees, and clinch control.

Grappling: Lisboa has 3 submission wins and showed improved wrestling in her last two fights. Croden has limited grappling credentials but solid takedown defense.

Durability: Neither fighter has been knocked out in their careers, suggesting this could go the distance unless Lisboa finds a submission.

Series History

First-ever meeting between Croden and Lisboa.

Croden is making her UFC debut.

Lisboa is 3-1 in UFC competition since her debut in 2023.

Betting Trends

Lisboa has finished 6 of her 7 wins (86%).

Croden has gone to decision in 2 of her last 3 fights.

Women’s bantamweight fights historically go to decision 65% of the time.

FIGHT ODDS

Melissa Croden                + 135

Tainara Lisboa                   – 160

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, October 17, 2025