Jéssica Delboni had everything in line to welcome the New Year on Dana White’s shortlist back in October, until she suffered a second-round knockout to Brazil’s no. 1 ranked 115-pounder Julia Polastri at Shooto Brasil 97.

Invicta FC veteran Jessica Delboni returns to the cage this Friday.

Despite her second career loss, the Brazilian plans on signing a contract with the UFC in 2020, and joining her PRVT teammate Jéssica Andrade in the UFC’s strawweight division.

Invicta FC’s atomweight Delboni makes her return once again to the strawweight division, taking on Ketlen Souza on Friday Future FC 11 in São Paulo, which fans voted on the matchups for the entire fight card.

“I find it as a cool approach because it shows how much they want to see a fight happen and generates a very large media,” Delboni said. “Also, the vote takes place among the best-seen athletes in the country, who would have to face each other and are at the top of the division ranking.”

Delboni finds herself winning this fight and having a couple of more fights, then entering the UFC this year, she added.

An emphatic win over Souza would solidify her spot in Brazil’s strawweight ranking, and increase her stock value on Sherdog. Delboni ranks as 13th amongst all women’s strawweight fighters in Brazil.

Souza also suffered a knockout defeat as well. She lost to Ariane Carnelossi (11th overall Brazilian strawweight) via body kick in the third round. Carnelossi recently made her way to the UFC, when she fought Angela Hill back in September at Mexico City: Rodriguez vs. Stephens.

“Ketlen has eight wins, six of them being knockouts and two submissions. So I know she likes to set the fights and not win on the points,” Delboni said. “And after coming off of a defeat, she’s going to be wanting this victory just the way I want it. And I’m going to give everything to bring this victory home.”

Delboni takes on Ketlen Souza at Friday’s Future MMA 11 event.

There’s a limited amount of space in the UFC’s strawweight division, yet the shortlist of Brazil’s talented 115-pounders goes on throughout the whole country.

Delboni wants to stay at the strawweight division for a smooth weight transition to the UFC, though she’s still open in fighting down at 105.

“If Invicta calling me, for sure I will fight at atomweight. But my intention is to join the UFC and Invicta takes a long time to call me for a fight,” Delboni said.

“So, I also fight at other events here in Brazil – not to stand still, and I look to stay on top of the strawweight division. However, I suffer making the 105-weight cut. I have nine wins and two losses. I think with an 11-2 record I’ll be able to join the UFC.”

Delboni vs Souza will be the fifth bout of the main card. Future FC 11: Braga vs. Neto will be streamed on the Future Fighting Championships app at 5 p.m. ET.

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