Following in the footsteps of her teammate Alexa Grasso, Irene Aldana will make her UFC debut on Saturday for UFC on Fox 22 when she faces veteran Leslie Smith.

28 year old Aldana (7-2-0) has been fighting for Invicta FC since 2014 and is 4-1 with the promotion, all her wins come in the first round and include TKO’s and submissions.

Aldana spoke to us about her UFC debut earlier this week, she tells us her opinions on her opponent, training at Lobo Gym with UFC strawweight Alexa Grasso, why she begun fighting, Rousey VS Nunes, plans to win the UFC belt and lots more. View the full transcript of the interview below.

You’ll be making your UFC debut this Saturday facing Leslie Smith. What are your opinions on Smith as an opponent?

I know Leslie is a tough fighter, she likes to stand up just like me, she mixes it up really good, she is always going forward, she is not afraid. I hope to get a finish but I’m not going to force it, the one thing I know is this is going to be a good war.

Alexa Grasso recently made her debut in the Strawweight division. How did you feel seeing her put in such an impressive performance, as a fellow team member did it motivate you?

Of course, we have been together since the beginning, we have grown together as fighters. I was so happy for her and really proud, I know she is going to do very well in her division.

You train with her at Lobo Gym MMA. What is your favourite things about training with them?

We are a family, we are a small group of fighters who love each other and sincerely care for each other. We share the idea that we can show how good we can fight from Mexico. The most important person is our coach, he really cares for us, takes care of us, he is always learning and so dedicated to us.

How did you get into the sport?

I started when I was 23 years old. It was just a hobby to begin with, I moved from Sinaloa to Jalisco to continue my studies, and was looking for a sport just to stay active, but suddenly it got serious. After two years of training and just 3 Jiu-Jitsu tournaments, I made my MMA pro debut in 2012. Since then everything has happened so fast, I had 4 pro fights without any amateur and in a blink I was in Invicta FC now the UFC. I have always been athletic since I was a little girl but never imagined I was going to be a fighter some day.

What would you say your biggest strengths are, and what’s the thing you need to work on the most?

I think there is always something to improve in every area and I’m working in all of them. One of my biggest strenghts is that I go there to kill or die, I’m very passionate and win or lose I’m always improving.

Who is your biggest inspiration?

Hard working people such as Marquez, GGG, Chavez and Brian Stann. People who are mentally strong and passionate, people who want to leave something good in this world. But most of all my team, my coach and my family. Also my grandmother she is an amazingly strong woman.

What does it mean for you to be a fighter?

Being a fighter helps me to become a better person, I found it amazing how this sport makes you conect your mind and body in that special way. Most of all was wonderful to discover how far I can go, and I want to share the feeling and motivate people to feel this way in their own goals.

How big a factor is reviewing your opponent’s fight tapes?

Very important. We study every move over and over again.

With a win over Smith, what do you want to achieve by the end of 2017?

I don’t know what UFC is planning for me but I want to keep climbing to the top 10 in the division.

December 30th sees a very important fight for your division when Ronda Rousey returns to take on Amanda Nunes. How do you see the fight going?

This is a fight that can go either way ,both are so talented and tough I think Ronda is coming back at her 100%, but Nunes is training so hard, I believe we are going to see an amazing fight of styles.

How do you feel you would matchup against either Rousey or Nunes?

I’m sure I would give them a great fight. I would love to fight them, they are the best and I want to fight with the best

What’s your five year plan?

Win the UFC belt and defend it, and defend it, and defend it.

What do you want to be remembered for at the end of your career?

As one of the best athletes in the world who left everything into sport and motivated people to keep growing and to pursue their dreams.

Thankyou for joining us today Irene. Is there anything you’d like to add?

I want to thank my family, my coach Francisco Grasso and my teammates. Also my sponsors MORE, Cell React, Budlight, Best Defense, Media Ad Co, SportMed, Malala and all the people who have been with me in this journey.

Irene Aldana will make her UFC debut against Leslie Smith this Saturday December 17, 2016 at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. The fight will open the Fox Sports 1 prelims which begins at 5PM/2PM ETPT.

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