Alice Ardelean dominates Montserrat Ruiz at UFC Vegas 110 to claim second Octagon victory

Alice Ardelean delivered one of her most composed UFC performances on Saturday night, outworking Montserrat “Conejo” Ruiz over three rounds at UFC Vegas 110 in Las Vegas. Across 15 minutes, the Romanian strawweight leaned on length, footwork, and steady jabs to keep Ruiz outside, then punished entries with counters and clinch control to seal a sweep of the scorecards.

Alice Ardelean vs Montserrat Ruiz: how the fight unfolded

From the opening bell, Ardelean set a pace and geography that suited her. She established the jab early, touching Ruiz as the shorter fighter tried to slip inside. Whenever Ruiz attempted to blitz forward, Ardelean framed, took small angles, and reset the range with low kicks and check hooks. Late in the first, a takedown scramble briefly gave Ruiz a window, but Ardelean denied control by turning, posting, and threatening the back to escape.

The second round tilted further toward the Romanian. Ruiz’s nose began to bleed as Ardelean peppered with straights and mixed in the occasional right to the body. When Ruiz did arrive in the pocket, Ardelean clinched smartly—short knees and shoulder strikes—before exiting on her terms. The visual damage and strike separation grew, and the exchanges that Ruiz wanted in tight never arrived in sustained bursts.

Ruiz showed grit in the third, biting down and forcing exchanges. She landed her best shots of the fight in a spirited push, but Ardelean responded with a matured calm: single-to-double combinations, a steady jab interrupting rhythm, and timely circles off the fence. By the final horn, the pattern was clear—one fighter dictating distance, the other chasing.

Official result: Alice Ardelean def. Montserrat Ruiz via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

Why Alice Ardelean’s win matters in the strawweight picture

This was more than a numbers boost; it was proof of concept. Ardelean’s second UFC victory validates adjustments made since her debut year—shot selection, defensive responsibility after combinations, and cleaner exits from clinch breaks. Against a compact, pressure-minded opponent, she didn’t chase a finish that wasn’t there; she banked control, damage, and minutes.

For matchmakers, the takeaway is straightforward: Ardelean can manage a high-pressure, wrestling-threat style without losing the striking battle. That opens the door to a broader slate of opponents and a likely step up in competitive tier when the 2026 calendar takes shape.

Tactical keys that decided Alice Ardelean vs Montserrat Ruiz

• Range management: Ardelean’s first layer—a stiff jab and calf kick—blunted Ruiz’s entries and let the Romanian choose when to engage.

• Counter discipline: Rather than trading in the pocket, Ardelean favored two-punch counters and immediate angle changes, denying Ruiz back-to-back connections.

• Clinching as a brake: When Ruiz crashed the line, Ardelean used frames and short strikes to stall momentum, then exited safely.

• Damage over volume for volume’s sake: The most telling moments—bloodying the nose, snapping back the head—belonged to Ardelean, shaping judges’ optics throughout.

What’s next for Alice Ardelean

With momentum restored and two UFC wins now in the bank, Ardelean is positioned for a matchup just outside the ranked tier or a fringe-top-15 test depending on availability. A quick turnaround early in 2026 would capitalize on Saturday’s clean bill of health and film that should encourage her camp: the jab played, the defensive reads held up late, and the gas tank sustained a measured pace for three rounds.

Potential pathways include:

• Another pressure wrestler/clincher: To further harden the anti-grind blueprint her team showcased here.

• A long, rangy kickboxer: To test her ability to lead and win on the front foot against similar dimensions.

• Short-notice readiness: Ardelean’s low-damage decision keeps the door open for a fill-in call that can accelerate her climb.

Montserrat Ruiz: where she goes from here

The Mexican strawweight never stopped trying to flip the fight, and her late surge showed the trademark grit that has carried her through past wins. To turn efforts into outcomes against rangy opposition, the next step is earlier commitment to layered entries—jab feints into level changes—and more insistent cage-cutting to keep mobile strikers from escaping into open space.

Alice Ardelean

This was polished, patient, and professional—exactly what a contender-in-the-making needs in a division where margins are thin. By owning range, minimizing chaos, and stacking visible damage round by round, Alice Ardelean didn’t just win; she showed a template that can scale as the names get bigger and the lights brighter.