Considered one of the pioneers of MMA in Brazil,
former Invicta flyweight champion Vanessa
Porto is looking forward to making her promotional debut
against Liz
Carmouche at
Bellator 256.
“I’ve been fighting MMA since 2005. It’s amazing to be able to be
so motivated now as I was 16 years ago. Nothing better than a great
card and a great opponent to make my Bellator debut,” Porto told
Sherdog.com.
With the experience of having clashed with two of the most feared
women in MMA history, Amanda
Nunes and Cristiane
Justinoat Brazilian Vale Tudo events, Porto refuses to see her
fight against Carmouche as a classical striker vs. grappler
match.
“Many people don’t know, but I already fought many times in
wrestling competitions in Brazil. We are both 37 years old
competing for more than a decade in the most complete combat sport
on earth. Of course we train everything,” Porto says. “Besides that
we are both very explosive girls, so definitely that´s a fight
that fans can expect pretty much everything.”
Though the winner could be in line for a 125-pound title shot,
Porto doesn’t want to look too far beyond her April 9 bout with
Carmouche.
“I have signed a four-fight contract, and I am facing a very tough
opponent. I am in not rush, my main focus now is to have a great
fight against Carmouche and conquer my division step step by step.
After that fight I’m planning to stay in United States, living and
training hard, so whenever [Bellator president] Scott Coker needs
me he knows that he can count on me right away.”