- Irene Aldana commented on her rare upkick KO win over Macy Chiasson at UFC 279
- The Mexican is hoping a title fight is next
Nate Diaz and Khamzat Chimaev were the main casts of UFC 279 but women’s bantamweight contender Irene Aldana stole the show at one point. The Mexican fighter generated quite a buzz after pulling off a rare KO stoppage win over her opponent, Macy Chiasson. For those who missed it, Aldana stopped Chiasson, who was on her feet, via an upkick to the body while laying down the mat.
Irene Aldana heeled the shit out of Macy Chiasson's liver 🤯 #UFC279 pic.twitter.com/fjw7qeTRaW
— GreenMan (@GreenManTalks) September 11, 2022
Speaking to reporters at the UFC 279 post-fight press conference, Aldana talked about her one-of-a-kind win.
It’s been there
Contrary to what many believe, Aldana revealed that while she didn’t expect to win via an upkick, her team has been practicing it all along.
“It was bizarre,” Aldana said of her upkick on Chiasson. “I knew the kick hit well, and it hit in the liver, but it was a little confusing for me to see her reaction like that… So I was like, ‘I’m sure I kicked her in the liver, but maybe I kicked her somewhere else. I’m not sure because of her reaction.’ But we trained the kick a lot, I’m glad it came out this night.”
Title fight, please!
The win over Chiasson saw Aldana completing a two-fight winning streak. She is now 4-1 in her last five matches. When asked what’s next for her, the 34-year-old said she’s down for whatever but if possible, she’s going for a title fight against Amanda Nunes.
“I’m open to whoever the UFC wants me, but I’m obviously chasing the title fight,” she said. “I’m ready for the title fight. If that’s the next step, I’m ready.”
As things stand, Aldana is now sitting at No. 4 in the women’s bantamweight standings. Will the UFC finally hand her a title shot? Let’s wait and see.