Los Angeles, CA — After a split decision win over former title challenger Alejandra Lara at Bellator 290, women’s flyweight Diana Avsaragova took the time to apologize for missing weight ahead of the event.
The Russian came in at 128.8 pounds, nearly three pounds over the non-title limit for the weight class.
“First of all, I want to apologize to [Lara] for missing weight,” Avsaragova (6-0) stated, speaking to media outlets including Cageside Press. “Also I want to apologize to Bellator and the fans.”
Later, the 24-year old explained that she wasn’t cutting any more weight than usual. “I had a tough weight cut, I don’t know why because I always cut the same amount of weight. But that’s what happened,” she explained. “It’s a lack of experience on my side, it’s totally my fault. But I’ll keep fighting in this weight class, because obviously the next weight class in Bellator is 145 pounds, and I’m not that big.”
The bout overall, however, “was a great fight for me, it was a tough fight, and I’m super-happy that I won.” Lara, meanwhile, surprised her in one area. “She was way stronger than my previous opponents were.”
Avsaragova found a consistent home for her right hand in combos capped off with kicks while Lara was in southpaw stance during their fight. That wasn’t by chance.
“I was drilling a lot, those combos for the left-handed fighter. I was throwing those combos, working a lot with my coaches, sparring partners,” the Russian flyweight told Cageside Press. “I started throwing them automatically.”
Despite a bit of bruising that she later stated was nothing serious, Avsaragova wants to stay busy moving forward.
“When it comes to fighting, I told Bellator before I want to do at least three fights this year, and that’s the plan,” she stated. “I don’t have any names on my mind, I’ll be happy to fight anyone.”
Watch the full Bellator 290 post-fight press conference with Diana Avsaragova above.
