CES MMA featherweight Jessy Miele wants to show she is ready to fight in a major promotion.
The New England MMA scene appears to be bursting with talent at the moment. It seems like each day a fighter from the region is signing with a major MMA organization. The UFC has added local fighters like Yorgan De Castro and Peter Barrett, Bellator has added Mike Kimbel and Nick Newell, and even the PFL has added Nate Andrews and John Howard. However, despite all these signings, one of the most consistent fighters in the region, Jessy Miele, is still waiting for her opportunity at the big leagues.
“I just want to challenge myself and fight the people they call the best right now,” Miele told Cageside Press. “That is what is going to make me a better fighter now.”
Miele, who turned professional back in 2014, sports an 8-3 record and is riding a three fight winning streak. She is coming off the biggest victory of her career, when she defeated UFC veteran Elizabeth Phillips by split decision back at CES 56 in May. Since dropping her professional debut, “the Widowmaker” has only lost to very high level fighters in former Invicta title challenger Charmaine Tweet and Ultimate Fighter Season 18 veteran Peggy Morgan — with both of those losses coming by way of decision.
“A lot of those losses were me getting in my own head,” Miele said. “I’m in a different spot in my life now. I am no longer getting in my own head.”
The Connecticut native tried out for the 28th season of the Ultimate Fighter but ended up only being selected as an alternative. Instead of getting frustrated, the featherweight worked on her craft with the crew at Underdog Mixed Martial Arts in Hartford and three other teams through out New England. She also picked up back to back wins under the CES MMA banner.
“Every time I get in the cage, I’m gonna be a better fighter,” Miele said. “I’m putting in the work and I believe it is starting to show.”
Miele is known for her well-rounded game. She is a bit of a crowd pleasure due to her penchant to slug it out on the feet. However, she is also a tough test for anybody in the grappling department — as she is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and has half of her wins coming via submission.
The 34-year-old knows that a call up to the UFC could come at any time, so she must be prepared. With the premier MMA organization coming to Northeast cities like Boston and New York this fall, her chances of finally getting called up might have increased.
“I just want to be prepared if someone likes the UFC calls and says they need someone last minute,” Miele stated. “I want to say let’s take it.”
Despite having to consult with her manager and teammate, UFC veteran Matt Bessette, Miele is not going to restrict her options to the UFC. With Bellator MMA holding back to back events in Connecticut in October, Invicta FC constantly adding top female talent, and the Professional Fighters League possible adding new weight classes to their 2020 season, she is hoping to have multiple offers on the table.
“I would be interested in a lot of leagues, especially the PFL,” Miele said. “But I’m looking to stay in my weight class and don’t want to go up. However, if they make a featherweight division, I would like to be in there.”
Miele doesn’t currently have a fight booked but is hoping to return soon. Being that some of the top MMA sites rank her as one of the best fighters in her division, perhaps the fight will come on a higher platform.
“I want to know why they don’t think I’m ready,” Miele said. “I think I’m ready and I want to show that I’m ready. Give me a shot and I will prove it.”
