It’s been over a year since Jessica-Rose “Jessy Jess” Clark stepped into a UFC Octagon, with injuries and training issues causing an unexpected hiatus. But after weigh-in, her Bantamweight rematch against Pannie Kianzad at UFC Fight Night 163 in Moscow is indisputably on.
Clark’s road to one of the biggest stages of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) began in her native Australia as a Muay Thai kickboxer. She made her professional MMA debut in 2012 with a TKO win against Mae-Lin Leow. She then fought to a record of 7-4 and a single No Contest in multiple promotions throughout Australia, Aisia, and the United States.
Clark made her UFC debut at UFC Fight Night 121 in Sydney, Australia, where she defeated Bec Rawlings in a split decision. In a quick turn around, she then defeated Paige VanZant just two months later.
Both of those bouts were in the Flyweight (115-125 lbs.) division.
Moving up in weight class to UFC’s Bantamweight (125-135 lbs.) division, she’ll face a familiar foe in Sweden's Pannie “Banzai” Kianzad on Saturday, November 9. The two fought previously at 2015’s Invicta FC 13 in Las Vegas, Nevada. That match that ended with a unanimous decision in Kianzad’s favor.
However, Clark has had more success at the upper levels of MMA since their previous meeting. Oddsmakers also favor Clark in the bout.
Clark tipped the scales at exactly 135 lbs. during pre-fight weigh-ins on Friday, November 8.
UFC Fight Night 163 will be live-streamed in the United States through ESPN+ from CSKA Arena in Moscow, Russia. Coverage begins at 11 AM Eastern Time on November 9.