UFC 193: Keys to Victory for Valerie Letourneau

On Saturday, November 14, 2015, the UFC will play host to one of the biggest event in the history of the organization. We will not only get to see one women’s title fight, but we get the pleasure of seeing both of the UFC’s women champions defend their belts at what looks to be the largest venue the UFC has ever set foot in.

UFC 193 takes place at the Etihad Stadium in Melbourne, Australia, with the main event featuring women’s bantamweight champ, Rondy Rousey, facing Holly Holm. In the co-main event, we get to see strawweight champion, Joanna Jędrzejczyk, defend her belt for the second time when she faces Valérie Létourneau. While the main event is a must see, do not miss what could be the fight of the night when Jędrzejczyk steps in to face a hungry Létourneau.

Jędrzejczyk is a Polish born fighter, that has been on a tear since starting her MMA career back in 2012. She is now 10-0 and only the second woman to hold the UfC strawweight title, which she took from Ultimate Fighter winner and inaugural strawweight champ, Carla Esparza, back in March 2015 with a one sided beat down. Jędrzejczyk’s striking game is at the top of the sport stemming from a lengthy career in Muay Thai where she fought for 10 years and won several world titles. Jędrzejczyk will look to stay undefeated when she steps in the cage with Létourneau.

Létourneau, a purple belt in Jiu-Jitsu, is on a four fight win streak and 3-0 since joining the UFC back in June, 2014. This American Top Team fighter has faced the who’s who in the division and is looking to take what she believes is hers in the strawweight belt. Although Létourneau has been winning as of late, she has not finished a single opponent in the Octagon. If she wants to get the UFC gold, she will need to follow these keys to victory.

Take it to the ground

We have all see what Jędrzejczyk can do when she is able to let her hands fly. That is why Létourneau needs to get this fight to the ground as quickly as possible. Létourneau needs to close the distance and go for a takedown where she can implement her Jiu-Jitsu game and go for the submission. Come in fast use your takedown skills, even if it requires you to pull guard and look for that hold that will make Jędrzejczyk quit.

Go for the finish

If there is one thing we all know, it is that you have to beat the champ to be the champ. With three fights in the UFC and three decisions, Létourneau will need to finish this fight if she wants to take the belt home with her. Once again, this will rely heavily on getting the fight where she can use her skills to her advantage and that is on the ground.

Stay off the cage

It happens to every opponent Jędrzejczyk faces. They start to feel the sting from the barrage of punches and kicks coming their way and they back up into the cage where she uses her far superior striking to completely dismantle them. Létourneau will need to stand her ground and not be bullied into the cage if she wants to have any chance to beat a fighter that seems unbeatable. Létourneau will need to keep on the move, look for the takedown, and stay off of the cage, if she want to be crowned the UFC strawweight champion.