Bellator 267: Leah McCourt Says It’s Her Destiny to Become World Champion

Leah McCourt is looking to make a statement in the co-main event of Bellator 267 this Friday.

It’s what she’s always looking to do.

“Every fight, you want to make a statement and put on a good performance, and that’s the same as this fight,” McCourt (5-1) told Cageside Press during this week’s Bellator 267 virtual media day. “I had a great camp, I’m feeling good, I just want to perform on the night, that’s always the goal. It’s a big platform, it’s so amazing to be here in London. So excited, I feel so blessed to be in this position and I just can’t wait until Fight Night.”

McCourt has won five straight since dropping her professional debut, and on Friday she’s up against the gritty Jessica Borga.

“I think Jessica’s a tough opponent. In female MMA, the records don’t always reflect the ability of the fighter, and she’s has got great finishes over good opponents,” McCourt said of her opponent. Borga’s losses, she added, “are to good opponents, tough opponents.” The pair also employ a similar style, something McCourt believes will leave to a technical fight. “It’s an interesting fight to me, I think it’s going to be quite technical. I think she can bring out the best in me. Whenever we get in those clinch positions, you make one mistake and you’re on your back, but I just think I’ll be one step ahead, and that’s my game, that’s what I’m used to.”

If Leah McCourt does get past Borga, she’ll be on a six fight win streak, and outside of Cat Zingano (who seems likely for the next title shot against Cris Cyborg), the rest of the featherweights ranked ahead of her have already come up short against the champ. Not to mention Julia Budd recently exited the company, signing with the PFL.

While it seems like a title fight could come as early as 2022 for McCourt, she’s not looking that far ahead. “I just look at the next fight, I’m just always looking at the next fight, next opponent,” she stated. That said, she does see gold in her future.

“It’s going to be inevitable, I’m going to be fighting for the title. And I always say, I was an amateur world champion, it’s my destiny to be a professional world champion. But I don’t look at it like a number of fights that I should have, I look at it as when I can bring the best of myself in the cage, and I’ll know when I’m ready,” McCourt explained. “I’ll know when the time is right. I’ve only had six professional fight, and every fight’s an awesome test. I’m fighting on big, big shows, big platforms, and massive pressure on my shoulders. I’m just trying to find my rhythm, and bring out my skillset on the night.”

Watch the full Bellator 267 virtual media day press scrum with Leah McCourt above. More coverage of the event can be found below. Bellator 267 takes place Friday, October 1 live at the SSE Arena, Wembly, United Kingdom.