LAS VEGAS – Diana Belbita was essentially done with MMA before matchmakers presented the opportunity to avenge her first octagon loss vs. Molly McCann at UFC Fight Night 235.
Belbita (13-8 MMA, 2-4 UFC) suffered a unanimous decision loss to former title challenger Karolina Kowalkiewicz in October and said she was very close to pulling the trigger on retirement. But then the phone rang, and she was offered a rematch with McCann (13-6 MMA, 6-5 UFC), who beat “Warrior Princess” by unanimous decision in her UFC debut in October 2019.
The initial fight took place in the women’s flyweight division, but the sequel will happen at strawweight, with the matchup set for prelims of Saturday’s card at the UFC Apex (ESPN+). It’s a whole different scenario, and Belbita is relishing the chance to show how much she’s improved over the past four-plus years.
