Valerie Loureda dedicates Bellator 259 to memory of grandfather, who died from COVID-19
UNCASVILLE, Conn. – Valerie Loureda has gone through a tough time ahead of her MMA return at Bellator 259.
The Bellator women’s flyweight prospect makes her fourth professional appearance this Friday against Hannah Guy (2-1 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) on the preliminary card at Mohegan Sun Arena. Loureda (3-0 MMA, 3-0 BMMA) has dealt with injury, as well as a personal tragedy ahead of the contest.
“When I was preparing for a fight in December, I got cut; 20 stitches through the muscle, and I had to let that heal because if not, that can open very easily, and I’m very young still,” Loureda told MMA Junkie at Wednesday’s Bellator 259 media day. “Then, Bellator signed with Showtime, and all the fights got pushed to April. Then in April, when I went to fight, I got COVID, and all my family got COVID. My grandfather passed away from COVID. He got it at the hospital, so it’s been rough. But I had to push through. I had to keep training hard, and here I am.”
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The pandemic has been rough for many people around the world, as it’s taken a big toll on many lives and the families that have lost loved ones. Loureda admits it was not easy to deal with the loss of her grandfather while preparing for Bellator 259 but feels continuing her career would’ve been her grandfather’s wish.
“Definitely this was a hard one because I couldn’t spend time with my grandfather or touch him before he passed away,” Loureda said. “It was just very wrong, and it traumatized me. I went through a little depression after that, but I had to get out of it, and I had to keep looking at my future, my career, and what he would’ve wanted me to do. I trained hard, lost the weight, and I’m here prepared, ready to fight this girl.”
Loureda is determined to get a victory on Friday night and dedicate the win to her grandfather, as well for all the families who have faced adversity through the coronavirus pandemic.
“This fight is completely dedicated to my grandfather and all the families that lost their loved ones because of COVID,” Loureda said.
