Valerie (photo) was defeated in the strawweight title fight. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
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At the helm of the UFC for the last 15 years, president Dana White has seen practically everything both in the octagon and behind the scenes of the biggest MMA organization on the planet. Now imagine an injury so visually impactful that the manager classifies it as the “most absurd thing” he has ever seen? This was Dana's definition when commenting on the injury that disfigured the face of challenger Valerie Letourneau, defeated by Joanna Jedrzejczyk in the co-main fight of UFC 193.
“I went to the hospital after the event, Joanna Jedrzejczyk was there, the Ronda Rousey also and Valerie Letourneau. I was walking from one room to the next thinking, 'Jesus Christ! This line of business is insane! It's so crazy... look at these girls.' Valerie Letourneau's eyes were the most absurd thing I've ever seen in my life. It was very ugly. I asked her how her leg was and she showed me how it was. I’m telling you, she was really destroyed at that moment,” said White, in an interview with commentator Joe Rogan’s podcast.
The manager, in fact, took the opportunity to praise the Canadian's bravery, who, despite the serious injury to her face, sold the defeat dearly and lost only by points. “In the UFC, we have always believed in Valerie Letourneau. She is big and strong for the division and now she should go to at least sixth place in the rankings. In our opinion, she shouldn't be in eighth place. Valerie is better than number eight and she proved it. But Joanna is a monster”, he guaranteed.
Dana White's wish appears to have been granted and Valerie Letourneau has risen to sixth place in the strawweight rankings. The 32-year-old Canadian now has a professional record of eight wins and four losses.
Check out what Letourneau's face looks like in detail below:
Letourneau was left with an injury very similar to that of Mark hominick against José Aldo. Photo: Quinn Rooney/UFC
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