Las Vegas — Strawweight Iasmin Lucindo is taking UFC 313’s Fight Week day-by-day, saying she plans to enjoy everything from her media duties to her weight cut.
An enjoyable weight cut? Speaking with media outlets including Cageside Press at Wednesday’s UFC 313 media day, an upbeat Lucindo discussed her fight with ex-title challenger Amanda Lemos, and being added to EA’s UFC 5 video game.
Perhaps that’s why she’s able to see the bright side of everything, including cutting weight. Asked about the push she’s getting from the promotion, “For sure, it’s been very clear that they’re trying to push me, and I’m going to try to do my best to contribute, and make sure they get their money’s worth with me,” stated Lucindo (17-5). “About the video game, that’s very cool. I do think she’s looking a lot better than me in person, but that’s good. I think the better version of Iasmin is there in the game, and that’s what is going to be in everybody’s home.”
That said, Lucindo and her family can’t actually play the game just yet— she was gifted a copy after being added, but needs a console to play it on.
“It’s kind of funny how things are, because two years ago I wouldn’t have the finances to even get a video game. Now I just did some motion capture upstairs, they gave me the disc and the game. Hopefully after the fight I go and get myself a PS5, take it back home, let my brothers play with my character and everything. It’s an interesting circle, how things are.”
In terms of facing a big name who has only lost to the best of the 115lb division, Iasmin Lucindo admitted that Lemos is “a big name,” but added that “I’m trying my best not to think too much about that aspect of things. She has fought everybody, and the people that have beat her were really at the top of the division. I’m trying just like fight week, just taking one step at a time. Whenever the door closes, it’s not going to be my ranking number against her, it’s not going to be Iasmin against Amanda, it’s going to be two fighters trying to do their best, and I’m hoping I come out the winner.”
The Brazilian contender also gave her reaction to strawweight champ Weili Zhang turning her gaze north to flyweight. Zhang could be lined up with Valentina Shevchenko in the near future, assuming 125lb champ Shevchenko gets past Manon Fiorot in May.
“Weili really shouldn’t be overlooking the division, because she has a very difficult task ahead of her with Virna [Jandiroba]. Virna is going to be the next champion, I can guarantee that. And I’m still young, I have time, I know whoever they put in front of me, I’m going to bring a fight to them. But now the focus has to be 100% on Amanda, and she’s got a fight on her hands on Saturday.”
Watch the full UFC 313 media day appearance by Iasmin Lucindo above.
