One of the biggest names in women's MMA, Jessica Stacker have the chance to make history UFC 261 this Saturday (24). The Brazilian, who faces Valentina Shevchenko in a fight valid for the flyweight title (up to 56,7 kg.), she could become the second woman to win two belts in different categories in Ultimate and can already imagine the ideal strategy to be the new champion of the division.
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In an interview with SUPER LUTAS channel on YouTube, Jéssica praised Valentina, but highlighted her evolution as a predominant factor in winning the title in the fight. According to her, the strategy is to tire the champion in the ground game and take advantage of opportunities to knock her out.
“If the girls hit me, I (keep) moving forward. I already imagined this (victory against Valentina Shevchenko) several times. I think a lot about what can happen in a fight, both in a victory and a defeat. I don't want to go into (combat) studying, because I've already studied enough. I imagine myself going up, landing a few blows and catching. Then I try to put pressure on the rail to tire it and slow it down. Put the fight down and work on ground and pound. If she gets up, she will already be more tired. We go for striking, I put the fight down again. (…), then, who knows, in the third or fourth round there will be a knockout. I’ve been thinking about and visualizing a lot of chances to be able to knock him out,” he said. Jessica Stacker.
Still talking about the chance of breaking Shevchenko's fifth title defense, the Brazilian stated that she spoke with Jennifer maia, the last challenger, to get some tips about the current champion.
“Jennifer (Maia) even gave some advice. She said that Valentina’s (Shevchenko) reaction speed is amazing. So, I think I have to be very careful with that. Enter the range of action, but without taking too many hits. Trying to grab and put the fight down, as that was something that worked against Valentina. It's a strong point that I can use – especially in grappling. I believe I can work well there. I have to enter at the right time, make the right strategy and not give space to Valentina”, revealed the fighter.
CHANGES TO THE NEW DIVISION
After winning Rose namajunas and become the strawweight champion (up to 52,1kg.) in 2019, Jessica Andrade lost the belt to Weili Zhang and was also defeated by 'Thug' in the rematch. Then, the Brazilian decided to move up to flyweight (up to 56,7kg) and knocked out Katlyn chookagian still in the first round. Now, she reveals that she is happy and mentions development in the new division.
“The main change is how happy I am in this category. If you eat well, have a strong training camp, it will change a lot in a UFC fight. That's the biggest difference I've been feeling. Strength improves when you eat better, as does gas. I didn't lose gas and strength. So, this has been a big change for me (…) I've had a big evolution, because I've learned to use all the weapons I have within MMA. Before, I left my face a lot and now I've learned to use dodges. Today I've been using these weapons more. There are many weapons that I can use and I end up not using them because I still don't have confidence. Different takedowns, dodges, elbows and knees – which I still don't use much. That’s why every fight is a different Jessica, with something different,” he said.
FIGHT AGAINST AMANDA NUNES
Anyone who thinks that the intention of Jessica Stacker in your career it's just about winning and defending the flyweight belt. The Brazilian says she is thinking about a superfight in the future against Amanda nunes.
“It may happen (to challenge Amanda nunes), huh? I've been talking to my coaches: 'Have you ever thought about fighting Amanda? Valentina has already fought, why can't I?'. So, a superfight like that would be very interesting. It would be cool to be able to fight for the bantamweight belt. Now is just wait. The focus is to beat Valentina, see if the UFC will want to give a rematch or something like that and, then, be able to aim for something different”, he highlighted.
LEGACY IN MMA
In addition to having the chance to win two belts in different categories, the fighter also thinks about the 'legacy' she will leave to future generations. She reinforces that it is possible to show the improvement of training in Brazil.
“It’s a very beautiful film about overcoming. To show that we train in Brazil, where there isn't much structure, but we have the ability to get where we want. Having the possibility of competing for a belt and being champion of two or three different categories. So, it's a wonderful story and a great legacy that I'm leaving for the next fighters who think it won't work or that they won't make it. I have aimed to be champion of three categories and make more history”
GYM WITH AUDIENCE
After confirming the public's return to the UFC 261, tickets for the show at the 'VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena', in Jacksonville (USA), sold out within minutes. The engagement of fans to witness the card – which features three title fights –, in addition to being the first event with maximum attendance since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, in 2020, excites Jéssica. The competitor says that she prefers to fight with the public present in the arena and highlights the influence of the fans in a fight.
“I prefer it with an audience. The vibe that the audience gives you inside the octagon is very important. It makes you see if the fight is very good or very bad. So, when you throw your opponent to the ground and the crowd screams, it gives you energy to do even more. Or even when people start booing and you say: 'I'm doing something wrong'. And you want to disengage and go for the standup. So the public helps a lot with this”, he concluded.
At 29, Jessica Stacker occupies first place in the flyweight rankings (up to 56,7kg), behind only the champion and opponent, Valentina Shevchenko. In addition to being a former strawweight champion (up to 52,1kg), the Brazilian has a record of 21 wins and eight losses in professional MMA.
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