Published On: Mon, Oct 27th, 2025

Mizuki Inoue says fan response and confident striking led to UFC 321 upset

Mizuki Inoue met the media Saturday after her win over Jaqueline Amorim at UFC 321.

Inoue (16-6 MMA, 3-1 UFC) outworked Amorim (10-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC) for a unanimous decision upset to open up the prelims at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Inoue won the fight with a pair of 30-27 scores from the judges, plus a 29-28.

Inoue had been out for around two years, but showed no signs of cage rust when she stepped back in against Amorim, who came into the fight on a four-fight winning streak – and as a huge 5-1 betting favorite.

Inoue said hearing the fans after two years away helped motivate her down the stretch after such a lengthy stretch outside the cage.

"When I first faced her, I felt she was very strong," Inoue told the UFC after the fight. "But no matter if it was two years, I was ready to knock her off with my striking. At the end of the first round, I felt one of my punches nearly knocked her down. That gave me confidence in my striking in the second and third round.

"Every punch I threw, I heard the crowd. That made me more excited and made it more fun, made me punch her more and more confidence. I don't want to praise myself – she was a tough fighter. But after that, I'll go back to the gym and prepare for the next one."

Check out Inoue's post-fight interview in the video below.

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Mizuki Inoue breaks down UFC 321 upset after two years away


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