HOUSTON – One of MMA’s famous mantras is to “never leave a fight in the hands of the judges,” and Andrea Lee is learning that lesson first-hand.
Following three consecutive decision losses, including two of the split variety, the UFC women’s flyweight contender admits she’s found the results to be a bit maddening.
“The last couple of fights have gone to a decision, and some of them have been questionable, and in my mind, I felt like, ‘Yeah, I deserve that win,’ so it’s been frustrating because it looks bad to have three losses in a row,” Lee told MMA Junkie at Wednesday’s UFC 262 media day. “I’ve got to go out there and do everything I can to get this win.”
Lee (11-5 MMA, 3-3 UFC) gets that opportunity when she takes on Antonina Shevchenko (9-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC) at Saturday’s UFC 262 event at the Toyota Center. The preliminary matchup airs on ESPN ahead of a pay-per-view main card.
Lee said she was pleased with the booking not just because of the name value her opponent brings to the table, but also the style she presents.
“I thought it was a great matchup,” Lee said. “I’m thinking this is going to be an exciting fight. She’s a striker. She likes to stand and bang, but lately I’ve been seeing her take it to the ground, and she’s started to taking a liking to grappling. We’re both well-rounded fighters, so this fight can go anywhere. I think it’s going to be exciting no matter where it’s at.”
But Lee isn’t just looking to turn in a “Fight of the Night” war. Sure, she wants to provide excitement to the Houston crowd, especially as a native Texan, but the recent setbacks have forced “KGB” to analyze every aspect of her preparation.
“I’m like, ‘Man, am I not training hard enough?’” Lee said. “‘Do I need to train harder? Do I need to do something different? Like, what is it?’ I think, for me, it’s just I haven’t been focusing on, like, who I am and my skillsets and what I’m great at. I think I’ve kind of gotten away from the best parts of me, and so for this camp, I’ve been focusing on that and trying to get back to that.”
Lee credits time spent in Colorado alongside fellow UFC contenders Tecia Torres and Montana De La Rose for re-sharpening her striking skills but said wrestling and grappling were all in focus, as well. Sure Shevchenko may be known primarily as a striker, but Lee said she wanted to be ready for all options.
“Going into a fight, you want to expose someone’s weakness, but I’m excited to take this fight everywhere,” Lee said. “I want to fight her everywhere. I want to stand and bang with her, and I want to take her down, too, and get a finish wherever it’s at.”
And ultimately, the finish is the key. Lee knows she’s capable of competing with anyone in the division, but she’s intent on getting back into the win column. One surefire way to do that – keep the judges out of it.
“It’s important for me to go out there and get my hand raised,” Lee said.
To see the full interview with Lee, check out the video above.
UFC 262’s Andrea Lee went back to basics in hopes to end frustrating skid
