Mara Romero Borella about her debut at UFC 216, the Italian athlete is ready for her fight this Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena.
This week was full of beautiful surprises for the Italian MMA scene. The most beautiful news award, no doubt, goes to to the announcement of Mara Romero Borella’s debut in UFC. The Italian athlete will fight in main card against Kalindra Faria in a match in the newborn weight category, the UFC female flyweights, at the 125-pound limit.
I reached a busy Mara, who has just landed in Las Vegas. We managed to chat and her emotions came out thanks to the opportunity offered to her, an opportunity Mara confessed to wanting to live fully. Her words, however, will be able to better express the state of mind she is in these moments.
How does it feels to receive THE call? Were you waiting for it?
The call arrived like this, at the very last moment. To tell the truth I did not expect it, I still don’t believe it. It’s a great goal, getting here is a huge opportunity I still can not believe it. I am living moment by moment, it is a great opportunity and I want to live it.
What are your ambitions and what goals have you now that you are within the UFC?
The first goal is to bring home the match against Faria, also because the notice was of a week. I am very realistic, one step at a time. Now I’m facing this and I just think about fighting against Faria. My ambitions? Well, the belt, of course.
How much have you improved training in the United States with some of the best athletes in the world?
I improved so much, because I am in the gym and I train under the eyes of everyone. I am there and I never really stopped after my last fight, I was getting ready. Training at American Top Team is the best, both with Nunes and with Joanna, they are the best in the world, is a great challenge every day, you can learn so much and give back a lot. I want to push more and more, my training parteners want the same and it is a great opportunity to grow as an athlete and a person.
How do you prepare a match which has been announced at the very last minute?
I knew about the bout this week. It is a great challenge, you prepare yourself, technique and mind expecially, you concentrate and you are focused on what you are facing.
What do you know about your opponent? Have you studied her fighting syle a bit?
I know she comes from different matches, she has a lot of experience, but I have it too. It’s a nice match, it has to be studied and it must be smart.
Have you got a message for your opponent?
No, I just hope that it will be a good match, just that.
