ONE ON ONE FT. VERONA JIMENEZ
[The professional setup of the interview inside the UGP makeshift cage usually used for sparring transformed into a personal media scrum with lighting inside the cage, two chairs in the middle and cameras around for different angles. The small studio around with the elevated lighting to add a personal touch but the true design is the UGP sign and screens all around adding flare to the atmosphere.
Kayla Chapman, the resident Union Grand Prix personnel interviewer, sits down on the chair to the right of the camera in her long black dress, black heels and her blondish hair straightened with notation cards in her hands. Across from her is Verona Jiminez in her black one-piece suit and black boots, her black hair let down and black boots with her legs crossed smiling at the interview ready to begin.]
KAYLA CHAPMAN: “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us on this exclusive Union Grand Prix special. Today, we have one of the newest featherweight fighters on our roster, ladies and gentlemen, here we are with Verona “Curtida” Jimenez!
[Verona waves to the camera and Kayla smiles at her cheerful personality.]
VERONA JIMENEZ: “Thank you Kayla, that was very sweet of you.”
KAYLA CHAPMAN: “Of course! Let me be the first to welcome you to the Union Grand Prix. I believe you are from Guadalajara, Mexico. You’ve had some experience prior to signing with the company. Tell us about yourself on the MMA circuit in Mexico prior to joining the Union Grand Prix.”
VERONA JIMENEZ: “Yeah! I started out when I was 21 years old. I didn’t know much about mixed martial arts at the time but I always was a fan of fighting. Growing up, I got into a lot of street fights, I was a troublemaker so my family was worried about me going down a really bad path. I signed up with an old gym in Guadalajara and trained for six months until my first fight where I suffered back to back losses but I never wanted to quit.”
[Kayla nodded. She listened keenly and when she was done, it was the perfect segway to her next question.]
KAYLA CHAPMAN: “And after those back-to-back losses, you joined the Holmes MMA and Wrestling Academy that birthed the career of your training partner, Serenity Holmes, correct?”
VERONA JIMENEZ: “Yeah! Andre Holmes saw that I had potential and asked me to join his camp. I definitely enjoyed the offer and I’m so happy I accepted it. My training, my skills and entire mindset changed. I was training two times a day, learning about different aspects of martial arts, and really loved the atmosphere. After that, I earned a lot of wins on the local scene, then I received a call from Union Grand Prix to sign for the new featherweight division and I said yes!”
[A fair answer and Kayla appreciated the honesty. She leaned back to get a closer look at her cards and continued on.]
KAYLA CHAPMAN: “What is it that you’re looking to bring to the featherweight division?”
[Verona huffed in a jovial manner. She wasn’t expecting that question but leaned back to pull a strand behind her hair.]
VERONA JIMENEZ: “I just want to fight. I want to bring entertainment to the division and make every fight a spectacle. I love getting my hands dirty, blood and not stopping a single round. I want to brawl and make the fans happy; I want everyone to see me and say I want to see her fight. I love the show, I love the cameras, the fans and just making sure that everyone remembers me as the girl who won’t quit and will bring everything I can to the table. Whether on short notice or a full training camp, I will fight until I can’t and take home the victory. I think that’s why I love what to do. The thrill, adrenaline and the unexpectedness of what can happen in the cage.”
KAYLA CHAPMAN: “I’d think we’d all appreciate that fighting spirit. Now, you’ve seen the featherweight division going but there’s also the bantamweight division and the lightweight division. Would you ever consider fighting in those divisions?”
[Verona looked around, taking a moment to think.]
VERONA JIMENEZ: “Like I said, if there is a fight, I will be there. I just want to fight. That’s all I know.”
KAYLA CHAPMAN: “Nice! Well, we have UGP: 60 on the way soon and are you looking at any specific featherweight fighters to make your debut against?”
VERONA JIMENEZ: “Put anyone in front of me and I will knock them out. I came to fight. The featherweight division is a whole new world for the Union Grand Prix and I am going to be a prizefighter. That’s what I am. I just want to bring the action and take UGP by storm!”
[Kayla really enjoys the fire shown by Verona. She’s eager to get into a fight and Kayla turns to the camera.]
KAYLA CHAPMAN: “Well, that’s all we have for this interview. Be sure to check out Union Grand Prix 60: Webb vs. Sokolov tomorrow night! Thank you to Verona “Curtida” Jimenez for joining us and be on the lookout for this fighter itching to make an impact!”
[Verona once again waves to the camera and the background music of UGP 60 plays with the interview transitioning into a promotional package for UGP 60: Webb vs. Sokolov]
