Diana Belbita has her again in opposition to the wall after shedding 5 of her seven UFC fights up to now, however that doesn’t imply opponent Dione Barbosa expects a simple night time within the cage Saturday in Las Vegas.
Barbosa returns to motion at UFC Vegas 105 after dropping a call in a short-notice match with Miranda Maverick this previous July, and she or he informed MMA Combating she’s treating Belbita as an elite fighter as she makes an attempt to enhance to 2-1 within the promotion.
“If it’s as much as me, her dangerous streak will proceed,” Barbosa mentioned with fun. “I like this matchup as a result of she’s skilled and has confronted powerful opponents like Molly [McCann], who simply retired. However she has much more expertise than me. I’ve 10 MMA fights and she or he has 24. That is the kind of combat I need, to face and take a look at myself in opposition to skilled ladies.”
Belbita holds UFC wins over Hannah Goldy and Maria Oliveira, however misplaced when paired up twice in opposition to McCann, and likewise fell brief in opposition to Karolina Kowalkiewicz, Gloria de Paula and Liana Jojua.
None of that issues to Barbosa, who is aware of she’s additionally in want of a win.
“I’m going for a warfare,” Barbosa mentioned. “I don’t take into accounts the state of affairs she’s in proper now. I’m additionally coming off a loss. I took a combat on brief discover, however it doesn’t matter. On the finish of the day it’s a loss. I’m coaching as if this was a title combat. I actually, actually, actually need to knock her out however I’m a grappler. If I see a chance, I’ll end it.”
Barbosa as soon as once more did her coaching camp on the UFC Efficiency Institute in Las Vegas and located it brings benefits and downsides. On one hand, she’s at all times surrounded by high-level athletes who’re open to alternate data; on the opposite, it isn’t probably the most non-public atmosphere.
“However I’ve no downside coaching with people who I would find yourself combating sooner or later,” Barbosa mentioned. “Generally it’s annoying, however it’s a chance. It’s more durable for ladies to seek out individuals to coach with, different girls, so we have now to coach with people who present up—even when they’re from the identical weight class. I prefer it. If we have now to combat one another down the road, so be it. It’s all good.”
For instance, after a profitable debut in opposition to Ernesta Kareckaite at UFC 301, Barbosa referred to as out Ivana Petrovic. She went on to fulfill Petrovic a number of occasions throughout this camp on the UFC PI. It’s all cordial based on Barbosa and their interactions wouldn’t cease them from dealing with off at some point.
Barbosa was supplied a combat on the latest UFC Mexico card, however finally ends up coming into the cage per week after at UFC APEX. The Las Vegas resident was wanting to compete after a protracted layoff, however in the end prefers not touring to Mexico Metropolis to compete.
“As quickly as we heard in regards to the Mexico combat we began making ready for the excessive altitude,” Barbosa mentioned. “It’s a must to spend extra to organize for that. We have been going to go there three, 4 weeks prior. I used to be upset after they pushed me per week later as a result of I needed to combat, however on the identical time it was good as a result of I must make investments rather a lot much less [money] for this camp.”
“The Witch” needs to remain energetic and combat as quickly as potential with a victory at UFC Vegas 105, and has potential opponents in thoughts.
“I used to be imagined to combat Casey O’Neill, we agreed verbally, however she acquired injured per week later,” Barbosa mentioned. “She had knee surgical procedure. In actual fact, she’s treating it right here [at the UFC PI] and we see one another finally. I need to combat her as a result of she’s ranked, however there’s no means proper now. Since they up to date the rankings and JJ Aldrich is ranked now, I’ll name her out. They have been going to present me a ranked opponent already, so why not?”
