ONE ON ONE FT. VERONA JIMENEZ

[The Kaseya Center of Miami, Florida, pays tribute to the historical events and moments that happened in the sunshine city that parties all day and night. Near the middle of Downtown Miami alongside the eastern shore of Bayside far from Brickell, home of the Miami Heat basketball team, the interior has been set up to represent the coming of UGP 65: Marshall vs. Holmes. The open cage which shall be stained for blood and guts has been set up with a posh design of two chairs facing each other and one of the chairs has been acquainted with none other than Kayla Chapman for this one-on-one interview.]

KAYLA CHAPMAN: “Hello ladies and gentlemen and Union fans around the world! We are almost here at UGP 65: Marshall vs Holmes! However, joining us tonight is a woman on a three-fight win streak with three back-to-back performances of the night bonuses. She is the number-six ranked featherweight, Verona “Curtida” Jimenez!”

[Walking into the frame of the stationary camera view is none other than Verona Jimenez who shakes the hand of Kayla before sitting down to cross her legs in her black tight leggings and heels. She sits upwards, more classy and ladylike and smiles at the introduction.]

VERONA JIMENEZ: “Thank you Kayla for the introduction. We have to stop meeting like this.”

[Kayla laughs at the joke.]

KAYLA CHAPMAN:  “Verona Jimenez. You’ve been in the Union Grand Prix for a while and have made a lot of great impressions. You’re 3-0 in the promotion and every fight has gone to finish earning you the 50,000 bonus every time. How do you feel about your performance so far?”

VERONA JIMENEZ: “I feel great. I’m really happy where I am and just loving to fight in the cage. I work on a lot of things but my boxing has always been my best weapon. I don’t really care whether I got the bonus or not. I just love to fight and go to war. I really enjoy the fight, getting the finish and just making sure I make my team proud, my coaches and continue to improve every time. So it’s just a nice little award here and there but the true satisfaction comes from knocking my opponents out every single time.”

[The sound of confidence is clear from Verona’s answer. Kayla nods and continues with the question.]

KAYLA CHAPMAN:  “And tonight you’ll be competing alongside your team-mates for UGP 65: Holmes versus Marshall. You have Robin Kelson, Jordan Parker, Serenity Holmes. All of whom have great grappling experience. Has that helped you develop your skills during your training?”

VERONA JIMENEZ: “Yeah! I’ve been fortunate enough to learn from these great fighters and really spent time sparring with them in the gym. We have our coaches for grappling so I’m adding tools to my skill set that I’ve haven’t developed since starting in MMA. I understand that this sport requires a lot of different aspects of martial arts so to gain as much experience from these great fighters who I can call family at this point, it means a lot. We’re a gym that pushes each other and that’s why I believe I made the right choice in being a permanent member.”

[Verona’s gratitude can be seen from how joyful she answered the question. Kayla continued although loving the positive atmosphere from the woman who is about to fight a brand new opponent that could get her into title contention.]

KAYLA CHAPMAN:  “I’m sure the Holmes MMA and Wrestling Academy has a lot on you for your next fight. You’re number six and on the verge of breaking into the top five. Your opponent is Rachel Parsons, the former Everest MMA Strawweight Champion and number three ranked featherweight fighter. How has your training with your gym developed to take on an opponent such as her?”

VERONA JIMENEZ: “Kayla. She is a fighter and a great striker. She’s a Muay Thai specialist who knows how to get the job done. I’m more of a boxer and I have grappling. In her last fight, we saw how frustrated she was on the ground so the smart thing would be to mix it up. However, I want to make a point that I can knockout anyone who is in front of me. She’s fast, quick and technical but everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face. She’s not going to understand my power and I’ve been developing my footwork, striking defense and clinchwork because she’s very good in the clinch. When it’s all said and done, I’ll be the one with my hand raised and she’ll probably be helped up by the doctors after my performance.”

KAYLA CHAPMAN:  “Do you think you’ll earn another performance of the night?”

VERONA JIMENEZ: “Doesn’t matter to me. I just want to win.”

[Kayla gets the cue from the production team that their allotted time is coming to an end. She turns her face to the camera and speaks in a professional tone with a smile.]

KAYLA CHAPMAN:  “Well fighting fans, that’s all for the one-on-one with Verona Jimenez. Before we go, do you have any last words for us, Verona?”

VERONA JIMENEZ: “Yeah. This is going to be my fourth win in a row and I’ll be pushing into the top three for sure. After this, I know we have Jalen Briggs and Cole Carter also pushing for a title shot but I don’t care about who or what. I’m here to fight, here to win and here to finish every damn time. Sooner or later, the championship will be around my waist. So watch me do what I do best!”

[Kayla does a little applause and Verona nods.]

KAYLA CHAPMAN:  “That’s all for us. Be sure to watch UGP 65: Marshall vs. Holmes live in the Kaseya Center here in Miami, Florida! Thank you Verona and good luck in your fight!”

[Both women shake hands before standing up and leaving the cage. The final shot ends with a close up of the poster for UGP 65 before transitioning into the promo for the event.]