Prediction: Melissa Croden via TKO
Lisboa’s clearly the better striker. She’s got clean technique, sharp timing, and that natural aggression that makes her dangerous anytime she’s in range. She’s not flawless though; her defense can be leaky when she’s throwing in volume, and she tends to stand tall, leaving her open for clinches or level changes. But when she’s on the front foot, her combinations flow nicely, and you can tell she’s got a good sense of rhythm. She mixes her strikes well and carries herself like someone comfortable in a firefight.
Croden, on the other hand, doesn’t have that same polish on the feet. What she does have is size, pressure, and the ability to make you feel every bit of it. The moment she closes distance, it’s like the fight changes tempo. She doesn’t sit back and wait to figure you out. Instead she moves forward, makes it ugly, and starts working immediately. Her clinch game is nasty. She knows how to lean on opponents, make them carry her weight, and punish them with heavy knees and elbows. She’s got that type of physicality that drains you quick, and once she gets a grip on you, she’s not letting go until you’re either on your back or eating something heavy.
Lisboa’s striking advantage is real, and if she’s able to keep space, she can absolutely piece Croden up with her combinations. But that’s a big if because Croden doesn’t really give opponents room to breathe. She crashes forward, pins you against the cage, and once she gets it to the ground, she’s all business.