Felicia Spencer may have just earned herself a shot at the title. Fighting on the same card as Megan Anderson, another featherweight title challenger, Spencer took care of business at UFC Fight Night 169.
Spencer looked a little overmatched to start the fight against Zarah Fairn. She attempted to trade shots on the outside, but was caught every time by Fairn, who had a clear height and reach advantage. Eventually, Spencer was able to lock up with her opponent and take the fight to the mat. From there, it was all Spencer who unleashed a barrage of strikes and elbows from the mount position. A couple of brutal elbows seemed to zap the energy out of Fairn who could do nothing but try and cover up and protect herself.
At 3:37 of the opening frame, referee Dan Miragliotta stepped in to call the fight. He probably let the action go on a little longer than he should have, but was no doubt trying to give Fairn a chance to fight her way out. He was probably nervous calling it too soon after the controversial stoppage by referee Kevin MacDonald in the fight before him.
The win puts Spencer, who moved to 8-1, in line to challenge Amanda Nunes for the UFC featherweight title. Megan Anderson also won her match earlier in the evening, but with Spencer having the head-to-head win over Anderson from back in 2019, she should be first in line for the belt.