russian fighter Irina Alexeeva in an interview with , she said she was motivated by the opportunity to lose weight for good photos ahead of her UFC debut.
Alekseeva, 32, won gold at the 2014 World Sambo Championship and a medal at the Russian Judo Championship. In MMA, the Russian made her debut in March 2019, now her stats are four wins for one loss. The last time Irina stepped into the octagon was in October 2021 at the first and only Bellator tournament in Russia. Alekseeva’s UFC debut is scheduled for April 29 in Las Vegas against Switzerland’s Stephanie Egger.
– Really, in three weeks I have a debut in the UFC? And yes, exactly. I’m shocked. To be honest, now you’re focusing on the fact that the fight is three weeks away, and I have a thought, “Yeah, how much do I weigh” (laughs).
So there are problems in this aspect?
– No, no, no problem. It never was and never will be, everything will be clear, smooth and soft. But in general, I like to eat.
– And when will you start limiting yourself to “eating”?
I have been limiting for a long time. After a shoulder injury, I was overweight so I couldn’t even run. Basically, I got it. To be honest, I love to eat everything (laughs). And I swept everything away like a vacuum cleaner. Naturally, I gained weight. Now I’m pretty skeptical. And in three weeks, I’ll be skinny. I hope so. And I plan to take 50 million photos to admire myself. Just then I can eat again and the photos will remain. Well, in addition, there will be an incentive not to eat.
— You have an interesting additional motivation.
— Yes, I want to get great pictures of me in great shape.
And so I don’t understand that I’m going to make my UFC debut. I’m going to Las Vegas right now like I’m going to a normal league fight. Also, I realize this is a UFC Fight Pass, not a numbered tournament in a huge arena. At the same time, I understand the seriousness, I understand that everyone wants to get into the UFC.
– How can you characterize your rival Stefanie Egger?
“These Stephanies follow me. Tiffany would have been better…
– Yes, yes, in the last fight you fought with Stephanie Page.
“All the Stephanies want to swing with me. Now another third Stephanie will appear (laughs).
Egger is a judoka who works more with her feet. Like I. I did not see her get up, but she prefers to change support. She works very well with her elbows. We will try to break it in the stance, in addition judokas are afraid of the legs, and I will try to move on to the legs. Yes, I am a judoka, but I do freestyle wrestling to no avail. I will do everything to win – possible and impossible. Well, we have a plan B, Alekseeva told .
All UFC tournaments are broadcast live on holding television channels. The next show for UFC 287 is April 9 in Moscow, in which Alex Pereira will fight Israel Adesanya for the middleweight belt. The start of the main card broadcast on is at 05:00 Moscow time on Sunday. The undercard will be displayed on “Match! Fighter” starting at 00:55 Moscow time.
Source : MatchTV
I am Ashley Ortiz and I am a professional journalist working for Athletistic. My specialty is in sports journalism, particularly boxing. I have written articles for some of the most renowned publications on the subject, and my work has been featured across both print and digital media platforms.
