Despite being just 21, Cory McKenna confident she has experience to compete in UFC

LAS VEGAS – Cory Mckenna is young, but she’s more than ready to make her mark in the UFC strawweight division.

McKenna, 21, became the first Welsh female fighter in UFC history when she earned a contract after her unanimous decision win over Vanessa Demopoulos on Tuesday at Dana White’s Contender Series 28.

McKenna is just six fights into her professional MMA career, but with her amateur experience and time spent at the renowned Team Alpha Male gym in Sacramento, Calif., McKenna (5-1) knows where she stands in the sport.

The Cage Warriors alum showed a mature and well rounded game in her win over Demopoulos, escaping out of numerous submission attempts and controlling the fight.

“I’ve just turned 21 like a few weeks ago. There’s girls in there my age, but it’s not about age necessarily in this sport. It’s experience,” McKenna told reporters, including MMA Junkie, after her win at the UFC Apex. “I’ve been fighting MMA since I was 15. I turned amateur, so I’ve been in there with the top girls in Europe. I’ve been fighting for many years, so I feel like I definitely could match up with – I’m confident I’d fight anyone. It’s for Jack (Mason) and Urijah (Faber) to decide, but I’ll step in there with anyone as soon as they let me.”

On paper, it appears that McKenna might have been fast-tracked to the UFC, but she actually thinks she’s behind schedule. McKenna made a bet with featherweight Arnold Allen on whom would make it to the UFC at a younger age. Despite winning the bet, she expected to make it a little sooner.

“I’ve actually got two wins tonight,” McKenna joked. “I made a bet five years ago with Arnold Allen as to who gets signed the youngest. I’ve won by, I think, three months, so I know he’s watching, so there you go. But no, I’ve always had the goal. I’m actually a little bit behind schedule. I haven’t fought for 18 months, but I’m happy to finally get it done.”