Piera Rodriguez, Ariane Carnelossi React to Headbutt Incident at UFC Fight Night 241

Piera Rodriguez believes Ariane Carnelossi was looking for a way out in their strawweight fight at UFC Fight Night 241.

After rocking Carnelossi with a front kick and ending up in top position, Rodriguez landed what appeared to be an accidental headbutt. However, the Venezuelan fighter repeated the maneuver following a warning from referee Mark Smith, which resulted in a disqualification loss at the 3:16 mark of Round 2. Carnelossi took as long as she could to recover following the fouls, but it was ultimately determined that the Brazilian could not continue.

After the loss, Rodriguez’s questioned her opponent’s motives in a post on social media.

“I rather lose a fight because of a mistake I did, than go home calling myself a ‘winner’ knowing I am a coward,” Rodriguez wrote on Instagram. “I made a big mistake, maybe because of adrenaline.

“But you have to go to sleep with that lie in your head your entire life [Ariane Carnelossi]. And you call yourself brave? I hope you and your team enjoy my money.”

Meanwhile, Carnelossi provided an update on her Instagram stories, revealing that she suffered multiple injuries in the fight. It is unclear if the injuries were as a result of the fouls or occurred earlier in the bout.

“Hey guys, we just got back from the hospital and we’re already at the hotel,” Carnelossi wrote (via Google translate). “After some tests, a fracture in the nose and an injury to the zygomatic bone and the formation of a blood clot in the sinus region were found. Thank you to EVERYONE who sent me positive messages. Regarding our sport, what people need to understand is that what often differentiates humans from animals are the RULES.”

Carnelossi has now won three of her last four promotional appearances dating back to 2021, while Rodriguez has dropped consecutive outings for the first time in her professional career.

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