In a long-awaited return to the octagon, Mizuki Inoue made her mark by clinching a hard-fought unanimous decision victory over Hannah Goldy at UFC Fight Night 228, held at the electric UFC Apex in Las Vegas. However, while the win was undoubtedly sweet for Inoue, her post-fight sentiments revealed a mix of satisfaction and self-critique.
Inoue, with a display of technical prowess and resilience, secured the victory with judges scoring the contest 29-28 in her favor across the board. With this triumph, her record in the UFC now stands at 2-1, while her overall professional MMA record rises to 15-6.
What makes this victory even more captivating is the fact that Inoue returned to the octagon after a lengthy three-year absence. Her last victory dated back to August 2019, and this win marked a triumphant comeback for the Japanese fighter.
Inoue’s performance was notable for her ground game, which has earned her nine of her 15 career wins via submission. Interestingly, her victory over Goldy didn’t follow this pattern, as Inoue hasn’t secured a finish since July 2016, indicating her adaptability in the cage.
Despite the victory, Inoue was candid about her performance, expressing some disappointment. “It was my first time in three years, so I am glad that I was able to win that fight. But at the same time, I wasn’t too happy with my performance. I wasn’t able to show the fans what I can do in the octagon,” she admitted.
Acknowledging the Challenge Inoue also acknowledged the stiff competition posed by Hannah Goldy, who brought an excellent game plan into the octagon. “I think the first reason it was a hard fight is Hannah came here to fight, and she had an excellent game plan to try to not let me do what I want to do. But at the same time, it was my first time in three years, so I was a little bit rusty,” Inoue explained.
What’s Next for Inoue When asked about her next opponent, Inoue remained open-minded, stating, “I don’t have anyone in specific that I want to fight. I am just willing to fight anybody the UFC puts against me. I am just going to wait for the UFC to give me a fight. I am just going to be training toward that fight to win that fight. In terms of timing, since I have no injuries in this fight, I would like to get back into the octagon as soon as possible.”
Mizuki Inoue’s triumphant return to the UFC showcases her enduring spirit and adaptability as a fighter. Her victory, after three years away from the cage, is a testament to her dedication and skill. While her self-critique demonstrates her commitment to excellence, it is worth noting that even on an off night, Inoue managed to secure a victory. This speaks volumes about her potential in the strawweight division. With no specific opponent in mind, it will be fascinating to see who the UFC matches her up against next, and whether she can continue her upward trajectory.
