French fighter Nora Cornolle delivered a convincing victory over American Hailey Cowan in the opening bout of UFC 314, held Saturday night in Miami.
The win came via a rear-naked choke in the second round, showcasing the Frenchwoman’s technical evolution and her determination to reclaim her position in the bantamweight division.
Cornolle entered the fight under considerable pressure following her loss last September at UFC Paris. Ranked thirteenth in her weight class, she needed a clear and decisive performance to reassert her place and demonstrate her legitimacy in climbing the global rankings.
The first round saw Cowan take the initiative, applying immediate pressure and pushing Cornolle against the cage. While the French fighter attempted a takedown, Cowan reversed the position, ending the round in full control, having taken Cornolle’s back.
However, the second round brought a dramatic turnaround. Cornolle capitalized on a brief opening, skillfully securing back control and locking in a tight rear-naked choke. Cowan was forced to tap, sealing the French fighter’s victory before the fight could go the distance.
VIVE LE FRANCE 🤩 🇫🇷 #UFC314
Nora Cornolle submits Hailey Cowan in round two!
Watch our prelims LIVE NOW on @UFCFightPass 📺 pic.twitter.com/nztSU3fpoW
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) April 12, 2025
This win marks Cornolle’s third UFC victory in four appearances, improving her professional MMA record to nine wins and two losses. It also propels her back into contention, as she issued a direct challenge to Ailín Pérez, currently ranked eighth in the bantamweight division.
From a technical standpoint, Cornolle displayed remarkable tactical composure, weathering early pressure and executing her ground game with precision. Her performance underlines her readiness to compete at the top level and her potential to climb higher in the rankings.
