Las Vegas, NV — Bantamweight contender Irene Aldana returns to action at UFC 279 for the first time in over a year.
“It feels like home again. I’m glad to be here, really glad,” Aldana (13-6) told media outlets including Cageside Press during Wednesday’s media day promoting the event. The Mexican standout has been paired up with Macy Chiasson, winner of The Ultimate Fighter 28 at featherweight, though the fight will take place at 135lbs.
Featherweight is a subject that came up later on Wednesday. Aldana’s opponent, Chiasson, suggested bantamweight fighters should pull double duty and fight at 145 as well, where the competition is thin.
Aldana feels it could work in her case.
“I think so. I think it’s a possibility,” she said when asked about the idea. “I feel good in 135, I think it’s my division, I’m focused on winning the 135 belt. But it’s not a crazy idea for me to go in 145. I think I would feel very strong in there.”
Aldana, meanwhile, is proud to share the UFC 279 card with some fighters who share Latin heritage with her.
“I’m so happy to share the octagon with those guys. This is the most gangster fight card we can watch. I’m so happy to be on a card with people like Nate Diaz, with like Tony Ferguson who has Latin blood in there. So it’s an extra motivation for me.”
The #4-ranked bantamweight in the UFC also addressed her place in the division.
“Since I got to the top 5 in the rankings, I’m aware that a title fight can happen any time. But I’m here to take challenges, and I’m here to take over in all the division,” she stated. “I don’t care if it’s the number 20 in the division or it’s the number one in the division. We are here to work, and that’s it.”
Watch the full UFC 279 media day appearance by Irene Aldana above.
