Alice Ardelean is about to do the unthinkable – fight in Las Vegas for the UFC.
For the strawweight from Satu Mare in Romania, the bright lights of Sin City and MMA’s No.1 promotion were beyond a pipe dream. However, having fought her way up from journeywoman to UFC contender, the Birmingham-based star is embracing her opportunity.
Ahead of her clash with Mexico’s Melissa Martinez at the Apex tonight, Ardelean, 32, said: “I am living my dream and I am super excited. I didn’t even know what UFC was when I started. It wasn’t a big deal in Romania.
“I would have never thought that one day I would be fighting in Vegas. Me, from a small town in Romania, fighting in Vegas? It is crazy. I am looking forward to the fight. Melissa is a great striker and I think it is going to be a fiery fight.”
Having made her debut in Manchester on short notice in July, losing a split decision to Shauna Bannon, Ardelean is now ready to showcase her talents, adding: “I know I am super prepared this time. My last fight caught me by surprise, but now I have had time to prepare, lose weight and get fit. I have never felt this good in all my life.”
The social media sensation, who has three million TikTok followers, added: “This fight is going to be the best of me, because I have never been so fit in my life, since I started MMA.
“I have been looking at my body and I am not dried up, which has happened before with a lot of weight cuts. Now I have the right diet, I am not starving myself – I have everything down with good, good training. It will be the best shape and best skillset I have ever shown.”
Alice Ardelean takes on Melissa Martinez at UFC Fight Night: Hernandez vs Pereira on Saturday, October 19 To watch the fight tune in to TNT Sports. TNT Sports is available through its streaming destination discovery+ and across all major TV platforms