UGP 67 BEFORE THE WALK: VERONA JIMENEZ
Holmes MMA and Wrestling Academy
Houston, Texas
[The known facility and training camp that has taken the mixed martial arts industry by storm by how well it has developed their key fighters in Union Grand Prix, the Holmes MMA and Wrestling Academy. Houston’s biggest combat athletic developmental facility creates athletes, professional wrestlers and fighters making their impact in the combat industry. For one, she has the biggest fight of her life, the featherweight world championship, in her home country of Mexico.]
JOHN KARTHAN: “Keep that footwork in the center of the cage. I want you to always be able to move, never get close to the cage and keep your jabs long but your hooks short.”
[Verona is inside the cage wearing her sparring gloves and right across from her is her known team-mate and friend, Serenity. Serenity is orthodox dancing on her feet probing jabs and hooks, one-two combinations and Verona keeps her distance, her footwork never going past the line to the cageside and countering with crisp uppercuts, jabs, straights. Serenity shoots for a single leg but Verona sprawls pushing her head down to the mat to stuff the takedown attempt.]
JOHN KARTHAN: “Keep your head close to hers, legs back and your bottom up! Put the pressure and weight all down on her head so she can’t drive through and push off after an elbow to punish her!”
[She follows the instructions very well and after driving that elbow, Verona easily backs away on her feet and the round comes to an end. The video cuts to an angle of Verona working alongside Robin Kelson, rolling in a sequence of Ju Jitsu and wrestling exchanges focusing more on escaping, sweeps and blocking submission attacks. While they are working on the mat, John Kartman, head grappling coach, speaks about the progress on a camera close-up.]
JOHN KARTHAN: “We have a lot to prepare for her championship fight. After she accepted the fight from Dante, she’s been doubling the work, putting in a lot of training and she’s ready. This is her homeland, her homefield advantage and Verona is extremely grateful that she gets to compete in her home country.”
[After her training session has completed, Verona is standing off the mats unwrapping the gloves from her hands and sweaty from how well she learned from today’s progress.]
VERONA JIMENEZ: “I’ve been wanting this for a long time. I’ve been fighting for it, pushing myself and this is for my people. This is for my home. I’m going to be the new featherweight champion. I have so much to be thankful for and honestly, God is good. Now? I go home and back to my family to show them how much I’ve changed.”
George Bush Intercontinental Airport
Houston, Texas
ANNOUNCEMENT: “Boarding will begin in 30 minutes!”
[The team is walking down the designated halls. Verona Jimenez and Robin Kelson are conversing with each other followed by their coaches. The airport is busy, being an international based entity, but all on the minds of the team are being ready to travel to Mexico. A close up on Verona dressed in athletic wear, crossing her legs wearing sneakers and watching Isabel’s previous fights for better insight. Robin, on the other hand, is jamming to his music on his headphones doing a little dance as one of the head coaches is recording him for his social media and head coach, Andre Holmes, is slumped in the chair.]
VERONA JIMENEZ: “You’re defined by the company you keep. We have an excellent team here. I’ve never felt more of a complete fighter and Isabel is going to bring her grappling but she feels confident in her striking. She did that against Carter Vaughn so I can’t overlook that. She’s dangerous but I’m ready. I’m-”
ROBIN KELSON: “California love!”
[Robin stands up and continues his little dance getting too carried away. Verona, a little annoyed by his outburst, grabs his pants from behind and sits him down on the chair next to her. He removes the headphones after being yanked down like a little child and looks at her like he’s been scolded.]
ROBIN KELSON: “What was that about?”
[Her accent is on full pronunciation when she talks down to him in Spanish, the coaches look away from how awkward the scene is between them.]
VERONA JIMENEZ: “(Stop acting like a damn idiot and sit down! Every time we go out, you have to make yourself look like a fool. Relax and calm down.)”
ROBIN KELSON: “I have no idea what you just said.”
[She hits him on the head with a light slap and Robin blinks.]
VERONA JIMENEZ: “Calm down!”
[He sighs and Robin nods his head, holds his hands up and she gently kisses him on the cheek. The team pretends they didn’t see a thing and soon they get the call to begin boarding.]
Hotel Emporio Ciudad De México
CDMX, Mexico
ANNOUNCEMENT: “Thank you for flying with Volaris.”
[After the plane had touched down onto the tarmac, the setting of night was no different. The team had scrambled to get their luggage, Verona woke up after removing the head pillow behind her and Robin next to her was snoring like a large cow until she hit him on the head again to wake him up. Once they got off the plane, they were awaiting their luggage at baggage retrieval but Verona had been flooded with UGP fans who rushed to meet her in person. She was taking pictures, signing autographs and happily overwhelmed with the positive reception.]
VERONA JIMENEZ: “(Thank you so much! Thank you all!)”
[The fans and locals scatter away when the team collects their luggage but even exiting, they are still bombarded with the local support. Security managed to barricade them of any extreme fanatics with Robin being close to Verona. Their transportation pulls up with two black SUV’s, and after the team’s luggage and equipment are loaded into the back, they manage to get inside to be taken to their designated hotel. The camera zooms on Verona looking through the window to see her home country and people on the streets showing their love for her as she’s holding hands with Robin.]
VERONA JIMENEZ: “Honestly, I want to cry. It’s very emotional coming back here after so long. I used to get into so much trouble and did a lot of bad things when I was younger that coming back to getting love has been overwhelming.”
[After pulling up to the hotel, the SUV’s are greeted by the concierge and outside luggage assistance. Verona has her door opened by the chauffeur and both fighters walk into the hotel followed by their coaches all the way up to their rooms. Verona loves the design of the hotel room interior followed by the balcony which shows a beautiful view of the city. Hell, the team inside all come together to wish her good luck and it cuts to the poolside where she’s already performing laps, doing cardio work by her conditioning team. Andre Holmes, head coach, watches over her drills and the camera comes close to him for his thoughts.]
ANDRE HOLMES: “This is her first fight in five rounds against a grappler. We learned a lot from Serenity’s fight and we’re pushing her conditioning. Also, she’s been one hell of an athlete. We know Isabel is experienced in the championship bouts. So we’re making sure we cover everything.”
[The final shot is Verona Jimenez sitting at the edge of the pool and taking a deep breath. She listens to her coaches instructions and another shot is her team enjoying their time.]
THE JIMENEZ RESIDENCE
Guadalajara, Mexico
[She knocked on the door three times of a small house in a village that’s been slightly developed. Verona stands in front of the door, twiddling her thumbs and taking a deep breath, alone at this time with the camera crew behind her. The door opens and it’s her mother, Maria, short and in a small dress with her slippers on. When she sees her daughter, she immediately breaks down in tears and hugs her instantly with Verona responding with a tight hug to comfort her too.]
MARIA JIMENEZ: “(Aye, my little fighter. It’s been such a long time since I’ve last seen you! I’ve missed you so much!)”
VERONA JIMENEZ: “(I’ve missed you too, momma! I’ve missed you so much!)”
[They continue to embrace and the video cuts to different angles of Verona’s old home, pictures of her when she was a baby, growing up with her family, different schools she went too until returning to the backyard joined by some of her family members. Verona is extremely happy, jovial and relieved to be welcomed back after her time apart. Her mother stays near a camera, looking at her daughter with the happiest smile on her face.]
MARIA JIMENEZ: “(My little one has been through so much growing up. She used to get into a lot of fights with other students in school, some were gang members and it caused a lot of trouble for her. Sending her away was the best thing for her safety and just seeing her come back after changing her life around, it truly welcomed my heart. Just seeing her be a woman, and a great one, that’s what every mother lives for.)”
[Another scene begins with the family around a fire and Verona is loving the music played in the background. Just being back home makes her a little teary eyed as the jokes, laughter and family environment is a lot for her to take in but she really is appreciative of the people around her. Later in the night, she’s having fun dancing with her family and enjoying the interaction. Inside, she sits down with her mom showing their old photos together and discusses with her about her next fight.]
MARIA JIMENEZ: “(Are you nervous?)”
VERONA JIMENEZ: “(Yes but it helps. She’s a strong mom, very strong, especially on the ground and she can fight on her feet but I’m stronger. I’m going to win and make this family proud. Make our country proud. I need to do this, I have too.)”
MARIA JIMENEZ: “(Your father would be so proud of you.)”
MEDIA DAY
Arena CDMX
INTERVIEWER: “Verona, this is your first championship fight in just four bouts since your UGP debut against Isabel Azevedo. How are you feeling fighting in your home country of Mexico?”
[The Arena CDMX has been converted into a separate room for a press conference prior to their championship fight. On the small stage in front of the background detailing the show, Verona sits on a chair behind the table holding the microphone in both hands with her leather jacket on and her hair down smiling confidently.]
VERONA JIMENEZ: “I’ve never felt more prepared than I have now. When you’re fighting in your own country, you get this ugh’, extra confidence, and sometimes you need that in these big fights. When I got the call, I said yes because I want to be champion and I’ve trained to a point where I can look at Isabel and know I can beat her. So yeah, I feel pretty happy and very ready to go out there and win.”
INTERVIEWER: “Isabel is on a four fight win streak same as you. She’s clearly one of the best grapplers in all of UGP but she’s shown improvement in her striking. How has your gameplan been against such a diverse opponent, especially one with a stronger background in Jiu Jitsu?”
VERONA JIMENEZ: “Yes, that’s the biggest threat she has to bring. However, I cannot ignore that she has improved in her boxing too but I also believe that is going to be her downfall. I want her to think she has the better striking but don’t underestimate my grappling. My camp, my team and my teammates have all helped me in preparing for the worst possible moments. Isabel is dangerous, she’s the champion but I’m ready to make sure I show the world I’m ready to be the next featherweight champion.”
INTERVIEWER: “You’ve been on quite a run and your last fight against Rachel Parsons showed you can fight with the elite. However, coming off as a replacement for this bout, has this added more pressure on you to prove people wrong or is the position of being an underdog always pushing you to be stronger?”
VERONA JIMENEZ: “Underdog, favorite, it doesn’t matter. It’s about champions and contenders. I want to be the champion. I’m going to win and do what I do best. Fight. I love to fight and I want to make sure everyone sees the upset that I will bring. No more questions.”
[She gently places the microphone back on the handler and stands up from the table as journalists try to persuade her to stay for another question. Verona doesn’t pay attention to them and gathers her other stuff before walking off the stage. The confident smile shifting into a focused stoic stare, presenting a figure of a woman who wants to be champion more than anything else.]
OPEN MATS
Arena CDMX
[A day later, the open forum of the Arena CDMX has a stage covered by mats surrounded by steel barricades for the fans to enjoy a close up view of Verona Jimenez practicing her footwork, boxing combinations but what’s special is her added kicks stemming from kickboxing and muay thai. Although she has spoken about her striking game improving, she continues to further advance her boxing combinations, probing strikes and her footwork keeps her light on her feet, moving at angles, switching positions and always never in the same spot when she throws John Karthan, head striking coach, is on the mat watching from the side looking at Verona working the punching pads.]
JOHN KARTHAN: “I want you to stay within the center, dictate the pace. She’ll try to set up her takedowns with strikes. She’s not there to fully strike with you, it’s to distract you. You will keep moving, cut angles, and throw combinations when you cut so it’s hard for a direct shot at you.”
[The pounding of her fists against the pads is loud. Verona continues to cut angles away from every end of the combination, using her long reach to keep her opponent away and eventually getting into a clinch. John Hartman, head grappling coach, yells from the floor watching Verona have underhooks, switch to one underhook but keeping her lower body back from him shooting in.]
JOHN HARTMAN: “Short uppercuts then twist out of there!”
[The pad holder manages to put his right pad in line between the clinch letting Verona power short uppercuts before twisting her body out of the clinch and moving back to put some difference between them.]
JOHN KARTHAN: “Very nice! On the break, barrage her from that angle with a combination! Go! Go! Go!”
[The barrage is followed, Verona steps in with a jab, one-two, one-two-three, mixing the targets to the head and body. The punches are delivered with full power, fast speed and pinpoint accuracy that makes the local fans rowdy with their support. Once the clock goes off, she backs off and Verona walks around with her arms raised in the air.]
JOHN KARTHAN: “Time!”
[The audience begins cheering for Verona who pounds her fist on her chest. She walks down the stairs, leaving the stage and receives her Mexican flag that she wraps around her shoulders and climbs the stairs back up to the stage to raise it high in the air. The fans scream and cheer, chanting in a spanish song local to the scene and Verona pumps her fist in the air!]
PROMOTIONAL DAY
Arena CDMX
VERONA JIMENEZ: “Thank you.”
[Another section of the arena backstage has been converted for media photos, glove fitting and merchandise autographing. Verona and Robin were accompanied by their team, seated at a table signing the posters of UGP 67. She adds her own special signature making it special for the Mexican fanbase. The camera comes close to her, she has the facial expression of a woman ready to go to war for her entire bloodline. Focused, stoic and supported, this is her fight to win and deep down she knows that.]
VERONA JIMENEZ: “This is special to me. Very special to me. I’ve never thought I would make it this far in life when I was younger but I never gave up on myself. My biggest fear of coming back was that my family, friends and even my own people wouldn’t support me but after realizing what happened, there’s nothing holding me back. You have to take a leap of faith and on Sunday, I’m walking out with the belt around my waist. I will be the champion.”
[The final scene is Verona standing in front of a blank poster, taking her photos in her fight gear with her championship gloves on and she’s posing in her boxing stance staring at the camera. The photography crew captures photos of every angle, every pose and shows it to Verona who verifies it. Another clip of the scene is Verona practicing her shadowboxing with the camera moving around to record it for future promotional packages, her team watching on the sidelines and the final shot at the promotional setting is her pointing up next to her signifying she is the one to win.]]
