Maria Guedez Jr. comes out victorious in battle of debutants

Maria Guedez Jr. is a two-time World Sambo Champion who makes her professional MMA debut tonight. She has an extensive grappling background in Venezuela, and she now looks for a successful transition into MMA.

Kiya O’Sullivan also makes her pro debut tonight. She has nine wins on the amateur scene and was a 2025 IMMAF European Champion. Her biggest highlight came last year with a head-kick knockout win over Karolina Arm.

Which of these two pro MMA debutants will score their first win in their first fight, as the two are set to be the first fight in Nantes tonight?

Round 1

A couple of strikes earlier from both women to start. O’Sullivan starts to work her right jab. Guedez Jr. shoots in and presses O’Sullivan against the Octagon. O’Sullivan shrugs off the takedown attempt, and Guedez Jr. throws a front kick in response. Guedez Jr. with another level change, but O’Sullivan stuffs the takedown attempts again. Both women land a jab, and O’Sullivan lands a hook. Front kick from O'Sullivan. Another failed takedown from Guedez Jr. Guedez Jr. appears to briefly stun O’Sullivan with a hook. Another level change, and she’s got O’Sullivan with her back turned against the fence.

Guedez Jr. continues the forward pressure trying to get the fight to the floor. O’Sullivan peels herself out of the grip. Both women connect on strikes. Body shot by O’Sullivan. Another takedown attempt from Guedez Jr., and we’re back at the fence. O’Sullivan uses a right hand to get her off. Head kick from O’Sullivan. Body kick by O’Sullivan. Another unsuccessful takedown attempt by Guedez Jr. O’Sullivan teases the head kick again before connecting on low kicks. More grappling attempts from Guedez Jr. This time, a takedown attempt is successful. O’Sullivan lands an elbow from guard. O’Sullivan looking to initiate an armbar attempt. A couple of hammerfists from Guedez Jr.

Round 2

Long jabs from O’Sullivan, followed by a right to the body. Another hook from O’Sullivan. O’Sullivan really working the right hand. Guedez Jr. needs a second effort but scores the takedown. Guedez Jr. passes the guard, and O’Sullivan tries to bring it back. O’Sullivan looking for an armbar again? Now she throws up the guard again and is looking for the triangle. Guedez Jr. backs herself out, but she remains in the guard of O’Sullivan. A couple of punches from the bottom by O’Sullivan. Hammerfists from Guedez Jr. The ref stops the action and warns her about something.

O’Sullivan catches a punch from Guedez Jr. and puts the guard back up higher. O’Sullivan continues to try and isolate an arm despite Guedez Jr.’s striking. O’Sullivan with a brief Gogoplata tease. Hammerfists from Guedez Jr., but O’Sullivan threatens a belly-down armbar. Another armbar attempt on a now-standing Guedez Jr., but it’s unsuccessful. Guedez Jr. is now back in the guard and landing strikes from up top. O’Sullivan lands a couple of hammerfists from the bottom. O’Sullivan lands an upkick before the horn.

Round 3

Another striking exchange to start the round from both ladies. Another takedown from Guedez Jr. a minute into the round. A couple of strikes from up top by Guedez Jr. O’Sullivan threatens an armbar again. A couple of strong shots from up top by Guedez Jr. Guedez Jr. is working around O’Sullivan’s attempts at isolating an arm and continuing to land with her strikes from the top.

A strong elbow and a strong right hand from Guedez Jr. Guedez Jr. with some heavy top pressure, landing a series of strong hammerfists. O’Sullivan continues to close the guard, not landing as much in terms of intensity as she did the other two rounds. A couple of strong right hands from Guedez Jr. A series of strikes from the bottom in the last 30 seconds or so by O’Sullivan, but Guedez Jr. lands a flurry of hammerfists late in the round.

Maria Guedez Jr seals the victory in her PFL debut!#PFLNantes | LIVE NOW | LIVE on DAZN | 🇺🇸 Streaming on The PFL App pic.twitter.com/WQEC4dVVte

— PFL (@PFLMMA) September 26, 2025

OFFICIAL RESULT

Maria Guedez Jr defeats Kiya O’Sullivan by split decision (30-26, 28-29, 29-28) in a women’s strawweight showcase bout.