HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – Bellator 271 had all the makings to be something special for Valerie Loureda. All the had to do was get back in the win column.
Loureda fought Friday Night at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino just a short drive from her hometown of Miami. She had her family on hand – her mom, who survived leukemia, her two younger sisters, and her dad, who was in her corner on his birthday no less.
Pressure? Not for Loureda.
“I felt the most comfortable and happy I’ve felt in a while,” Loureda told reporters, including MMA Junkie, backstage. “And before (the fight) backstage, I was just dancing and listening to my Hispanic music, and I felt just so calm and at peace. I’ve never felt like this before.”
It showed in her performance as Loureda used a measured striking display to earn a split decision over Taylor Turner. Given the wide discrepancy in height (Loureda at 5-foot-3 to Turner at 5-foot-10) and reach, it took a smart approach for Loureda to earn the victory.
Loureda suffered her first professional defeat in her bout prior, dropping a unanimous decision to Hannah Guy back in May. She revealed this week to MMA Junkie that she experienced some personal tragedy going into that fight. It was important for Loureda to get back on track Friday.
“I just wanted to prove that I’m Valerie Loureda, the one from before,” she said.
Loureda continued, “I lost that fight to Hannah. I wasn’t myself, and I’ve said this over and over again: That was the worst heartbreak of my life that I’ve ever been through. And I grieved it, and I went through those emotions. I think it’s more powerful that I was able to pick myself up and perform like this today because I did go through a lot mentally. After I lost that fight, I knew that I had lost to myself, not to her. But I’m really happy to be back and back in the winning column like I deserve because I train like a winner.”
Overall, Loureda is happy with her performance, in part because it showed the taekwondo master what she’s capable of as an MMA fighter.
“Yeah, I’m super happy,” Loureda said. “I think you have to remember I’m only 23 years old. The media is so hard to me, but I did this to myself and put myself in this position because I know I’m a star, and I know I could do it. I’ve devoted my whole life to martial arts. It’s just a matter of time that I keep winning and develop into a full-rounded mixed martial artist.”
Bellator 271 win helped reinforce big belief for Valerie Loureda: ‘I know I’m a star’
