Irene Aldana is not backing down from a title fight happening in the near-future.
Aldana (13-6 MMA, 6-4 UFC) returns from a 14-month layoff to face Macy Chiasson (8-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) on Saturday’s UFC 279 pay-per-view main card at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Aldana has yet to earn a crack at UFC women’s bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes, but sees big implications with a win over Chiasson.
“Since I got in the top five in the rankings, I’m aware that a title fight can happen at any time,” Aldana told reporters at Wednesday’s UFC 279 media day. “But I’m here to take challenges and I’m here to take over in all the division. I don’t care if it’s No. 20 in the division or if it’s No. 1 in the division. So we’re here to work, and that’s it.”
Aldana is expecting a tough outing from Chiasson, who has built some momentum by winning three of her past four.
“It’s going to be an exciting fight,” Aldana said. “She’s tough – she’s a really tough fighter. She’s a complete fighter. I know she’s working on striking, wrestling, cage fighting, and she’s a tough prospect, too. I think it’s going to be an interesting match.
“I think it’s my experience. I think it’s my turn to be a veteran, and also my aggressiveness. That is the advantage that I have against her.”
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