Yazmin Jauregui didn’t compete in last year’s inaugural UFC event celebrating Mexican Independence Day, and she doesn’t want to miss that chance again.
This year, the UFC will celebrate the Mexican holiday by hosting UFC 306 at the Sphere in Las Vegas on September 14th. UFC CEO Dana White hyped the event, saying it will be the greatest spectacle in combat sports and will never be replicated.
Jauregui (11-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC), a native of Tijuana, hopes to receive an offer for the event.
“I’m looking forward to getting back and I’ve actually been training hard for about two months now,” Jauregui told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “I fought and thank God I didn’t have any injuries and I started training a week after the fight and returning calmly. I also went to train in San Diego and now I’m just waiting for a contract.
“I was told that we are considering it for September and it is a great card, but nothing is confirmed yet. I hope this happens and I’m trying to attract him, almost as if it were telepathy. I want to fight someone who is in the top 20 of the rankings. I think about 20 or 21 years and I want to start moving up a level.”
Jauregui is coming off a dominant unanimous decision victory over Sam Hughes in February. She hopes to land a notable opponent for her next match, but doesn’t have anyone in mind given the state of the division.
“We looked at the rankings and how things have been going lately,” Jauregui said. “I saw the fight with Tabatha Ricci, Tecia Torres and also Michelle Waterson and Loopy Godinez, who have future fights. Therefore, the classification is always changing.
“At the time I didn’t see anyone specifically because things have changed a lot in the category. Anyway, I don’t think I’m in a position to start picking my fights just yet. I’m going to fight whoever they put me in and prepare the best I can, and I’m going to do my job. Whatever they give me, I’ll be ready.”
Regardless, the name doesn’t appear to be a priority for your next booking. She mainly wants to get a spot on the UFC 306 card so she can represent Mexico.
“It’s a very significant date that represents a lot in Mexico,” explained Jauregui. “For me, it would be incredible. The Mexican is very hardworking and even from the public’s point of view it will be great. … The expectation is that the event will be packed and I’m sure the Mexican public will go crazy, especially on this date. I want to feel the support of my people so I can perform at my best.”
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