Luana Carolina says training, fighting happy a difference maker at UFC on ESPN 47
LAS VEGAS – Luana Carolina beat Ivana Petrovic with a unanimous decision Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC on ESPN 47 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Take a look inside the fight with Carolina, who snapped a two-fight skid.
Luana Carolina vs. Ivana Petrovic
[vertical-gallery id=2656086]
Result: Luana Carolina def. Ivana Petrovic via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Updated records: Carolina (9-4 MMA, 4-3 UFC), Petrovic (6-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Key stats: Carolina outstruck Petrovic 112-77.
Carolina on the fight's key moment
“No surprises at all. I knew she was a great athlete, an undefeated athlete, someone that can take people down. I understand how tough it is and the challenge that was in front of me. She’s a great athlete, but I was confident what I brought to the table. She’s a great athlete, but I’m a great athlete, too.”
Carolina on fighting happy
“I really want to dance right now That’s what I feel – I feel like getting up and just doing a dance. I didn’t feel (pressure) – it actually was very much in peace for the training, for everything we did. I felt that I’m going to win because of everything I’ve done – everything that I needed to do to set myself up for a win.
“This is something that I’ve always carried with me. When I’m happy, I’m in my best and I feel that I’m OK. Even my psychologist tells me when you’re happy, you’re unstoppable. I feel that when I’m happy, when I’m myself, I feel great and I fight better. There’s always pressure because it’s a fight and there’s always a 50-50 proposition when you’re in a fight … but when I’m happy, I feel better.”
Carolina on what she wants next
“I want to fight in Sao Paulo. I really want to fight in Sao Paulo. I fought in Rio my first fight in the UFC. It’s been eight fights now, and I just never fought back there. I want to fight in Sao Paulo in November. I want to fight in my hood. I want to see the people bring it when we come in. It’s going to be a lot of (fans). We like to be noticed wherever we are. We really like to bring out the noise. I think it’s going to be a lot of people there. I would love to fight. As far as the name is concerned, let my manager talk about this and decide.”
To hear more from Carolina, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 47.
[vertical-gallery id=2656084]
