Karol Rosa, since last we saw her, moved to Sao Paulo in her native Brazil, and has opened her own gym alongside Jessica Andrade and Denise Gomes.
“I’m excited to show the work on Saturday,” Rosa (18-7) told reporters during this week’s UFC Vegas 108 media day. Rosa is booked opposite Nora Cornolle at the Fight Night event taking place at the UFC Apex.
What sparked that move? The three fighters all leaving their former camps. And the desire to have a place where just female fighters could train together.
“When we left, when all three of us left our former team, we wanted to actually put the project in place. A place we would have a voice, we would have a say, we would actually do and set up our own training. And that was pretty much the catalyst. A place that we could have just girls training, and make sure that again we would have control, we would have a voice, we could plan training and camp. So basically, that was the catalyst.”
Andrade fell to Jasmine Jasudavicius back in May, while Gomes picked up a win later that month. Rosa will look to build on that success against France’s Cornolle, following a camp she called “more focused, more pleasant, and more catered towards the women.”
When it comes to Cornolle, Rosa also sees a favorable match-up. “I think that she’s got a style that I like to fight. I know that she likes her striking, so she’s wants to come in and do Muay Thai. And I just do believe that I have strength there as well.”
“I think I’m a smart striker, that’s how I feel. And I feel more and more polished on the ground. I think that’s pretty much it. I see myself as the smarter striker, and someone that can get her on the ground if she decides to take me down.”
Watch the full UFC Vegas 108 media day appearance by Karol Rosa above.
