LAS VEGAS – Diana Belbita, a mixed martial artist, found herself at a crossroads in her career after a recent loss. She was on the verge of retirement before being offered the chance to avenge her defeat against Molly McCann at UFC Fight Night 235.
Having suffered a unanimous decision loss to former title challenger Karolina Kowalkiewicz, Belbita was close to walking away from the sport. However, the opportunity for a rematch with McCann presented itself, reigniting her competitive spirit. The initial fight took place in the women’s flyweight division, but the sequel is set to happen at strawweight in the prelims of Saturday’s card at the UFC Apex (ESPN+).
Belbita, in reflecting on her mindset after the defeat to Kowalkiewicz, expressed a positive outlook, seeing it as a valuable learning experience for her career. While she agreed to the rematch with McCann, Belbita made it clear that her future in the sport is uncertain, and this could potentially be her final fight, regardless of the outcome.
For Belbita, the decision to continue fighting is based on how she feels, emphasizing that she will not force herself to do something if she is not fully committed. She acknowledges the many options available to her in life and is open to exploring other paths.
The upcoming rematch with McCann serves as an opportunity for Belbita to assess her progress as a fighter and to showcase her improvements since their first encounter. Her determination to prove herself and her uncertainty about the future add a layer of complexity to her approach to the fight, making it a compelling storyline.