By Jun Ray Navarres
Jenelyn Olsim returns to the ONE Circle with a close split decision victory over Julie Mezabarba in ONE 158 on Friday night at Singapore Indoor Stadium.
The Team Lakay standout survived the breathtaking face-off with the Brazilian fighter to return into the winning column.
Olsim managed to hit her target early, landing blows to Mezabarba’s head.
The Filipina tried taking down the Brazilian but the latter’s grappling skills gave Olsim a hard time, almost ending the night early with a guillotine choke a few times.
Olsim was able to break out of each submission attempt, taking the fight upstairs instead. She retaliated showing Mezabarba her dominance in the striking department thanks to her Muay Thai roots.
Olsim’s high kicks also found their target adding some brownie points in her favor.
The 25-year-old continued relying on her accurate attacks to get two of the three judges nod – outlasting Mezabarba in her return fight.
Olsim is slowly building momentum now following her bronze medal finish in vovinam in the 31st SEA Games in Vietnam.
Olsim also improves to 6-3 in her pro career while Mezabarba absorbs her second straight loss since having a six-fight win streak.
Follow the writer on Twitter: @burnsports