Bellator Champions Series: Ashley Thiner vs. Aysia Cortez Preview and Prediction MMA

The Bellator Champions Series in San Diego brings together a compelling matchup between two debuting fighters: Ashley Thiner and Aysia Cortez. This bout may be flying under the radar compared to the marquee matchups on the card, but it offers a fascinating glimpse into the future of the women’s divisions within Bellator. With both fighters entering their professional MMA careers, the stakes are high as they look to make a lasting first impression. 

 

Fight Odds

Fighter	Odds
Ashley Thiner	-105
Aysia Cortez	-125

Fighter Backgrounds

Ashley Thiner: A Promising Debut

Ashley Thiner is set to make her professional debut under the Bellator banner, bringing with her a background steeped in striking arts. Training out of a reputable gym in the United States, Thiner has honed her skills in Muay Thai and kickboxing, disciplines that have provided her with a solid foundation for her transition to mixed martial arts. At 26 years old, Thiner has been on the combat sports scene for several years, competing in various striking tournaments and exhibitions.

Thiner’s striking is expected to be her primary weapon in this fight. She possesses excellent hand speed, sharp footwork, and a diverse array of kicks and punches. In her training camp leading up to this fight, Thiner has reportedly focused heavily on improving her takedown defense and ground game, knowing that well-roundedness is key to success in MMA. While her ground game remains a question mark, her striking is expected to give her a distinct advantage in the stand-up exchanges.

This fight represents a significant step in Thiner’s career. A strong performance could establish her as a rising prospect in Bellator’s women’s divisions. Given her striking pedigree and the focus of her training, Thiner is expected to come out aggressively, looking to keep the fight standing and impose her will on Cortez. Her ability to control the range and avoid takedowns will be critical to her success.

Aysia Cortez: The Ground Specialist

Aysia Cortez, like her opponent, is also making her professional debut in this bout. However, her background differs significantly from Thiner’s. Cortez comes from a grappling-heavy background, having competed in jiu-jitsu and wrestling tournaments before transitioning to MMA. Training out of a well-regarded gym known for producing high-level grapplers, Cortez has focused on developing her submission game and wrestling skills, which will likely be her primary strategy in this fight.

Cortez’s grappling is her bread and butter. She is proficient in securing takedowns and maintaining top control, often working towards submissions from dominant positions. Her jiu-jitsu is particularly dangerous in scrambles, where she can capitalize on her opponent’s mistakes. However, her striking is less developed compared to Thiner, which could be a significant disadvantage if she is unable to close the distance and bring the fight to the ground.

For Cortez, this fight is all about implementing her game plan. She will look to close the distance quickly, avoid prolonged striking exchanges, and take the fight to the mat where she can work her submission game. Cortez’s success will largely depend on her ability to weather the early storm from Thiner and execute her grappling strategy without taking too much damage in the process.

Fighting Styles and Strategies

Ashley Thiner’s Strategy: Keep It Standing

Ashley Thiner’s strategy in this fight will be to utilize her superior striking to keep the fight standing. With a background in Muay Thai and kickboxing, Thiner excels in creating angles, maintaining range, and delivering powerful strikes. She will likely aim to establish her jab early, using it to set up more complex combinations and keep Cortez at bay. Thiner’s ability to stay light on her feet and avoid the clinch will be crucial, as getting tied up with Cortez could lead to takedowns and potential submissions.

Expect Thiner to push the pace early, looking to test Cortez’s striking defense and force her into uncomfortable situations. Thiner’s path to victory lies in overwhelming Cortez with volume and precision, while avoiding any grappling exchanges that could play into Cortez’s strengths. If Thiner can stay disciplined and keep the fight standing, she has a strong chance of securing a victory either by decision or potentially a knockout.

Aysia Cortez’s Strategy: Get It to the Ground

For Aysia Cortez, the game plan is simple: take the fight to the ground. Cortez knows that her striking is not on the same level as Thiner’s, so she will be looking to close the distance as quickly as possible and initiate grappling exchanges. Cortez’s wrestling and jiu-jitsu will be key here, as she will need to secure takedowns and work from top position to either control Thiner or find a submission.

Cortez will likely use feints and level changes to keep Thiner guessing and to create openings for her takedown attempts. Once on the ground, Cortez is a relentless pursuer of submissions, particularly armbars and chokes. Her ability to transition smoothly between positions makes her a significant threat if she can get the fight to the mat. Cortez’s success will depend on her ability to close the distance without taking too much damage from Thiner’s strikes and to impose her will in the grappling exchanges.

Matchup Analysis

This fight presents a classic striker vs. grappler matchup, with Ashley Thiner looking to keep the fight standing and Aysia Cortez aiming to take it to the ground. Thiner’s striking is a clear advantage in this fight, but the question remains whether she can keep the fight in her comfort zone. Cortez’s grappling is dangerous, and if she can get Thiner to the mat, the fight could quickly turn in her favor.

However, Thiner’s preparation for this fight has focused on improving her takedown defense and grappling awareness. If she can stay on her feet and avoid the clinch, she should be able to dictate the pace and land the cleaner, more effective strikes. Cortez, on the other hand, will need to be relentless in her pursuit of the takedown, as prolonged exchanges on the feet will likely not end well for her.

The outcome of this fight will likely hinge on who can impose their will first. If Thiner can keep the fight standing, she has a clear path to victory. However, if Cortez can close the distance and get the fight to the ground, her grappling could prove too much for Thiner to handle. This dynamic makes for an intriguing matchup where both fighters have a clear path to victory, but only one will be able to execute their game plan effectively.

 

Prediction