UGP 70 BEFORE THE WALK: SERENITY HOLMES
Terry Hershey Park
Houston, Texas
[The Terry Hershey Park, a popular landmark for the city of Houston, perfectly created for its open forum of activities especially with its created trails for conditioning and adventure. Right on cue underneath the hot sun in the afternoon, the coaching team of the Holmes MMA and Wrestling Academy, are stationed by the trails to monitor Serenity Holmes’ performance in improving her cardio, pacing and conditioning for her upcoming championship fight. She’s pushing the pace, focusing on her breathing and keeping a speedy run through his long mile trail of different terrains to put pressure on her. Her head coach and father, Andre Holmes, sits on a bench watching from afar but the camera does a close up for his thoughts.]
ANDRE HOLMES: “We’re preparing Serenity for her second championship main event. We’ve learned a lot from her first title fight against Victoria Marshall. That’s what we do. We don’t sulk, we learn and improve. After she lost to Victoria, she’s been desperate in her training. Hungry to get that second chance and after beating MANDEM, she’s got that. We’re seeing a stronger, faster and wiser Serenity Holmes.”
[The rest of her coaches are working with her, motivating her, as they watch from the sidelines. Serenity’s on the final push of her run, the cardio and conditioning program they’ve emphasized to learn from her mistake. On the last push of her running path, she finishes strong and takes a moment to recover. The number one contender walking around with her hands on her hips, her coaches applauding her, and she stares off into the woods to calm her breathing.]
SERENITY HOLMES: “I’m very happy about this. Dante definitely put a lot of faith in myself and Marissa Kane to be the main event for UGP’s seventh anniversary. I’m very humbled and honored but I’m very bold in my training and development. I know Marissa is confident and more than ever now that she’s champion but she has no idea how badly I’m coming for her.”
[The next shot of this scene is John Karthan, the head striking coach, on top of a hill with Serenity Holmes, holding the mitts for her boxing combinations. John is emphasizing close-combat, utilizing short hooks, uppercuts to the head and body. To mix it up, he also applies the Muay Thai hold with knees to the body and uppercutting elbows to the head. John Hartman, the grappling coach, is on the side for his commentary.]
JOHN HARTMAN: “We’re studying a lot from Marissa Kane’s fights and she has so much experience that this is Serenity’s toughest challenge with an all-around opponent. She’s fighting a hall of fame athlete who has shown she can still be at the top. However, I think Serenity is just as exciting. She’s not coming in with glitz and glamour, hard work and humility.”
[The final shot is her driving powerful elbows into the held up pads in the Muay Thai clinch.]
Holmes MMA and Wrestling Academy
Houston, Texas
[Back in the training facility of the Holmes MMA and Wrestling Academy, Serenity Holmes and Jordan Parker are both working inside one of the cages to develop their striking. Jordan is making his official debut at welterweight but the coaching has tailored him to improve his striking through the help of Serenity Holmes with Jordan always assisting in his grappling. Inside the cage, John Hartman is seated against the cage wall watching them work diligently.]
JOHN HARTMAN: “We have Jordan who is going to be at welterweight and honestly, it’s a good choice. He has this new spark. It’s like when you start a new game and you’re ready to see what it will bring. That’s perfect. Jordan will be amazing at welterweight.”
[Serenity, in her southpaw stance, presses forward with boxing combinations to mix up the head body. Jordan counters with kicks, building his Muay Thai in his orthodox stance, and catches Serenity with quick roundhouse kicks, and side kicks to the body and legs. They’re working on each other’s tendencies, demanding for them to mix it up, parry, and set up their opponents with counters. They’re developing a chemistry, tailoring each other to their opponents.]
JOHN HARTMAN: “Start mixing it up! Remember, your opponents are well rounded! Jordan, use the striking to set up for the takedowns. Serenity, you will prepare for them by stuffing them, make him suffer or use your angles. You’re fighting a well-experienced striker who can grapple anytime, use your angles and footwork!”
[Jordan paced forward, bouncing his feet, throwing strong boxing strikes in his jabs before squatting down in a level change to drive his shoulder into Serenity’s hips. She leaned forward, sprawled her legs back but Jordan managed to take her down with a double leg. Luckily for Serenity, she bucked her hips to scoot herself to the cage wall and Jordan latched onto her, locking his arms around the waist until she stood up. In the clinch, they were peppering each other with short strikes.]
JOHN HARTMAN: “Serenity, she’s going to be using trips, and takedowns. I want you to be first. You push the pacing on the grappling, you set the pressure. Be first especially on the defense!”
[When Jordan applies the Muay Thai clinch, she locks her arms around his waist for a body lock and sweeps his right leg to plant him down on the mat into half guard. John applauds the smooth transitioning from the counter and the round comes to an end. Serenity stands on her knees and Jordan sits up but the two acknowledge each other. The final shot is both of them sitting against the cage wall in their recovery listening to the coaches speak to them. In the aftermath, the two are working the circuit training afterwards to push their conditioning.]
Westside Lexus
Houston, Texas
[The Westside Lexus car dealership in Houston was hosting a marketing event at night after the official announcement that the company is sponsoring Serenity Holmes. Her family, friends and teammates have joined her inside the pristine facility with Lexus vehicles around with the regional marketing team in attendance. Production, cameras and employees are loving the environment but the star of the show, Serenity Holmes, stands on the podium in a beautiful black dress, and black heels, to speak about her partnership with the brand. She taps the microphone and looks into the camera.]
SERENITY HOLMES: “Thank you all for the official sponsorship. I’ve been blessed to work with a company that not only focuses on the quality of cars in the United States but seeks to improve the lives of its customers. There’s no better brand out there that connects with my lifestyle and I continue to be a support as they have supported me. On behalf of the Holmes MMA and Wrestling Academy, thank you!”
[Applause from the audience after that delivered speech was well received. She stepped down from the podium to meet with a few of the executives who traveled to be a part of this program. However, one of the executives took the microphone and guided Serenity over to a car covered in a wrap.]
EXECUTIVE: “Thank you Ms. Serenity Holmes. We at Lexus are proud to support a rising athlete and fighter such as yourself. There is no doubt how honored we are to be a part of your journey at such a young age. As a token of our gratitude, we’d like to reward you. If you would be so kind as to do the honors.”
[One of the employees grabbed the wrap and gently removed it to reveal a brand new sportscar, the 2026 Lexus LC 500 customized with a specific purple and blue wrap to match her BST fight gear. Serenity’s jaw dropped, her eyes widened and she shrieked in excitement. Her father watched as if he had been slapped in the face, her step-mother applauding and her sister recording it all. Serenity thanked the executives and walked over to the car to inspect it with blind admiration. The camera held a close up on her father for his thoughts.]
ANDRE HOLMES: “I’m never going to hear the end of this.”
[John Hartman taps him on the right shoulder to assure him everything will be okay. He watches his daughters start to do Tik-Tok dances in front of the car. Her father pushes his hand into his face from the second hand embarrassment he was receiving. On the other hand, her team was very happy to see her get the support from her sponsor and the final shot of the scene was Serenity taking pictures and posing with her new car.]
The Holmes Residence
Houston, Texas
[Once again, another training session at the facility. However, Serenity Holmes is on the mats rolling with other fighters developing in their training. She’s constantly switching from half guard, full guard, side control, full mount and also defending herself on the ground. John Hartman watches closely, instructing her on the drills and pertaining her defense, handling ground and pound from different positions, shifting her body to look for any escapes or transitioning into submissions, specifically triangle chokes or armbars. In her Ju Jitsu spats designed with the company, she is managing well with the scrambles and transitions.]
JOHN HARTMAN: “Right now, we’re focusing on Serenity’s offense and defense in the grappling. Marissa loves to push the pace with grappling but we’re going to counter that by playing chess. I know Serenity will surprise her on the ground, Marissa has world class grappling but Serenity knows what to do. She’s been putting a lot of effort into honing her skills to be a mixed martial artist.”
[The session comes to an end with Serenity reversing the half guard on top by bucking her hips upwards into a scramble and puts her inside control. She quickly locks in the Arm Triangle Choke and her sparring partner taps out before the bell has sounded. Another shot is Serenity sitting against the wall sweating in her workout gear taking a sip of water.]
SERENITY HOLMES: “You don’t become a champion by practicing your strengths only. You work on your flaws, the holes in your game and develop as many tools to win. Marissa is experienced, she’s been through it all and she’s a champion but I’m not like the other girls she’s fought. I think she’s in her head a little bit but that’s okay. I was too and I suffered. It’s time for her to suffer too.”
[The later session of the day is striking with Serenity on the mat working a sparring session with another fighter. She is pacing forward in her southpaw stance and John Karthan is giving her instructions.]
JOHN KARTHAN: “She’s fighting in the taekwondo and karate base. She’s fast with kicks and you being in the southpaw leaves that back leg open. Use oblique kicks for every time she comes close on the lead leg, and then you’ll start telegraphing that back leg for takedowns and counters with punches.”
[Her sparring partner goes forward with a jab in the orthodox stance but Serenity uses an oblique kick from her back leg to her lead leg to stop her. When she backs away, Serenity launches forward with a switch body kick that stuns loudly and the round comes to an end. Both girls touch gloves and Serenity points to the camera sending a message to the champion.]
The Holmes Residence
Houston, Texas
[The training camp has paid off and it was almost time to travel to Chicago. As usual, she loved being home in her family household before leaving to her fighting venue. The Holmes family has always been welcoming to the production crew of UGP. She’s never been afraid to show us her life outside the octagon. Serenity is in the living room watching a couple of fights from the previous UGP events, and then watching the Boss Fight event to support Morgan LeChance in her main event. Her father and sister have joined her on the couch. Athena, her younger sister, gets a close up for her commentary.]
ATHENA HOLMES: “We never thought MMA would be a thing in our home but both dad and my sister are people who love competition. Once they fall in love with something and there’s competition, they won’t stop. Serenity is a fighter and no one can take that from her. I can’t wait for her to become champion!”
[Once Morgan is announced the winner, Serenity and her father, applaud the split decision win. Serenity sits back on the couch and holds the pillow close to her chest smiling cheerfully in support of her friend’s success.]
SERENITY HOLMES: “LET’S GO MORGAN!!!”
[Another shot is Serenity Holmes leaving her room with her bag and her father following behind her with his bag. They descend down the stairs to the front door, he gives his wife a kiss and Serenity hugs her step-mom. She also hugs her sister and the two are happy to support each other. When they leave, they are joined by the coaches and load their baggage into the SUV before taking off to the George Bush Intercontinental Airport.]
SERENITY HOLMES: “It always sucks to leave home. I love my family so much and they are the reason why I fight. It’s why I’m so close to them. I’m traveling around the world, I have my own places but it doesn’t hurt when you leave home. I’ll be coming back home with the belt. I promise you that.”
[The SUV travels across Houston to the airport and their flight is in the afternoon. Serenity gets out of the vehicle first followed by her father and then her coaches. All of them have their belongings and walk through the airport to check in, Serenity gets approached by a couple of fans who ask for pictures and autographs to which she loves to interact with them. The final shot is her walking through the airport with her team and she gives a look to the camera.]
SERENITY HOLMES: “Goodbye Houston and hello Chicago. The new champion is coming your way.”
Pre-Fight Interview
Embassy Suites by Hilton
[The flight to Chicago wasn’t too bad. After landing, the Holmes MMA and Wrestling Academy team had settled into their hotel. The day next, a scheduled pre-fight interview in the conference room of the hotel to be designed by the production team was in effect as Isaac Cohen was the one to lead it. Serenity sat on the left side of the table and Isaac on the other who was taking the lead with the UGP 70 poster in the background. Once he received the cue, they were on the air and streaming live with Isaac already starting with questions.]
ISAAC COHEN: “Serenity, this is your second championship main event in UGP. Let’s get back to the first championship fight against Victoria Marshall. How are things different in your preparation for this one?”
[Serenity nodded. She knew this question was going to be asked and she thought long and hard about it beforehand.]
SERENITY HOLMES: “Yeah. I was arrogant and cocky on the build up to Victoria Marshall. I was on a six feet undefeated streak and I’ll be honest, I underestimated Victoria that I didn’t take the proper team to fully prepare for a five rounder. Victoria beat me fair and square. It was a loss but I didn’t quit. I learned and now I’m ready to fight better than I did. I’ve been really training for this and I’m not letting it slip from me.”
ISAAC COHEN: “I want to talk about your training in MMA. We’ve been seeing less of you in professional wrestling and more you in UGP. Are you planning to make a move from professional wrestling to MMA?”
SERENITY HOLMES: “I’ll be honest. I do see myself more in MMA than I do in professional wrestling. I’ve been a professional wrestler for three years and already accomplished a lot more than the average professional wrestler would from my age. I love MMA and it’s more of a journey now to me than ever so yes, in the future, I’ll be taking a break from pro wrestling to fully be in MMA.”
[It was a hard question to answer but she sighed to get it off her chest.]
ISAAC COHEN: “Thank you Serenity and one more question, what are you going to see for UGP 70? You’re the main event against the hall of fame fighter and current bantamweight champion of the world, Marissa Kane. Who are we going to see for that fight?”
SERENITY HOLMES: “Isaac. I know you like to bet against me almost every time. I hope you didn’t bet money because you’ll be seeing the new bantamweight champion of the world!”
Pre-Fight Press Conference
United Center
[The United Center, the destined venue for the championship fight to pay homage to the seventh anniversary of the Union Grand Prix. In a small section of the United Center backstage, it has been selected for a big room to set up a small stage with the UGP 70 forum poster behind and a table with a microphone for a fighter to get interviewed. The audience of journalists, media personnel and interviews along with cameras, photographers and production setup paying attention to Serenity Holmes climbing the steps to the stage and sitting down on the chair to acknowledge the first interviewer for the questions.]
INTERVIEWER: “Serenity Holmes. You’ve been going back and forth with Marissa Kane on social media. She’s the bantamweight champion and you’re the number one contender but there’s been a lot of controversy surrounding the dynamic of this fight. What are your thoughts about Marissa Kane?”
[Serenity grabs the microphone to speak into it.]
SERENITY HOLMES: “I don’t have anything against her. I think Marissa is a great fighter who has proven she still has what it takes to be a champion. However, what I think is that she’s come back and hasn’t really been pushed to the limit. Alex Hughes showed she has holes, so has Eugenie Bombelles but she overcame them because she’s a complete fighter. I’m also a complete fighter and I’m continuing to get better.”
INTERVIEWER: “Do you think she’s underestimating you?”
SERENITY HOLMES: “I think she’s overestimating herself. She’s going around saying that she cleans divisions or she’s the standard. Okay, you got back into the division and you’re the champion. I can say you’re the only champion because Victoria went up and you fought Alex Hughes to win who wasn’t even in the top five. Granted, I ended MANDEM’s career because it was personal but now that you’re facing me and I want to fight you, don’t make it seem like you can be a big sister in this case.”
[Serenity’s voice was hardened, the sheer passion from their previous interactions showing.]
INTERVIEWER: “So what is the gameplan or your strategy against Marissa Kane?”
SERENITY HOLMES: “Bring the fight to her and show her that no matter where we are, standing or on the ground, I am ready to bring five rounds of pure pressure and relenting spirit to become the new bantamweight champion.“
Open Mat
United Center
[The United Center continues to be the masterful host of the biggest event in the city of Chicago, Illinois, UGP 70. The fighters have come for their own media days or to show off their skills in the center of the open forum that has been created for the open mat workouts. The large stage is surrounded by the fans who have come for fight week, watching their fighters perform with their coaches and team for the media to highlight their marketing key figures to promote the event.]
JOHN KARTHAN: “Give me angles, mix it up, and don’t let her get that kicking range. Keep it short, compact and quick.”
[Serenity Holmes was brutalizing the pads worked by John Karthan, the head striking coach. On the open mat, she was showing her footwork, the lightning piston punches that flowed in combinations in the smothering personal space. When the action stopped for a second, she moved in different angles away from the power hands and legs of John who was throwing out the mitts to avoid parry and counter. Serenity’s kicks were powerful, the sheer boom against the pads made some of the fans jump back, and they were turned into her training session.]
JOHN HARTMAN: “Setup the takedowns! I want you to use the strikes!”
[John was down by the stage side watching Serenity turn up the pace. She pushed forward with a jab combination to begin then shot for a single leg, catching the kick and turning her body to the side to plant John down to the mat with the takedown. Posting up in half guard, she was landing vicious elbows down to the pad held up to practice her ground and pound. The audience was enjoying every bit until the horn sounded. Serenity stood up and helped John before bowing in front of him. The fans cheered and she was joined by Kayla Chapman for some questions.]
KAYLA CHAPMAN: “Ladies and gentlemen, I have the number one bantamweight contender in the world, the 10th ranked pound for pound fighter and she will be fighting Marissa Kane for the UGP Bantamweight Championship in the main event of UGP 70, Serenity Holmes! Serenity, any final thoughts to say to our fans?”
[Kayla pointed the microphone to Serenity who listened to the fans cheer her name and she spoke with a confident tone.]
SERENITY HOLMES: “I’m ready to make history! If at first you don’t succeed, you pick yourself up and try again! I earned my shot at redemption and I will get it by beating Marissa Kane to become the new UGP Bantamweight Champion of the world!!!”
Promotional Day
United Center
[After the open mat day, it was time to begin preparations with marketing and photography as the days to UGP 70 were counted down. Serenity Holmes and her team were in their allotted time to begin with the marketing team leading them down the hallways backstage in the United Center to a large room of tables for her gear, gloves, and also posters to sign. On the other hand, there was a section for the photography and video crew to take her photos and videos for the event to promote. She walked in her hoodie, her pants and sneakers with her coaches behind her although the camera followed her every move to gather her commentary.]
SERENITY HOLMES: “I can’t wait for UGP 70. I can’t wait for Sunday. Everything has been a piece of the puzzle. The training, the marketing, the media and right now, we’re getting everything ready. It’s just a part of the game, like a mechanism. We’re going to sign posters, make sure the gloves fit, gear fits, take some pictures and it’s all for show. I love doing this, it makes you feel valued.”
[Her coaches roll their eyes knowing how extra Serenity can be for the camera. On the other hand, they enter into the forum and sit at their designated tables where a production crew member comes with a box of posters for her to sign. One by one, she signs the posters and looks content doing so with a shot of her father for his commentary.]
ANDRE HOLMES: “It may seem a lot but it’s respectable. Once you’ve hit a level of popularity and star power, you have to make sacrifices and do your duty to be a promotion cow for the company. Dante knows Serenity is a marketing cash cow and as a businessman, he’s going to milk it. My daughter loves the attention anyway so win win?”
[The next scene is Serenity Holmes wearing her gloves and purple and blue BST fightwear walking onto the photographer’s studio scene. She stands on the designated spot in front of the UGP 70 designed background getting her photos taken. Every pose with her eyes looking into the camera with a demeanor of confidence and determination then for the videography, she begins throwing light boxing combinations, shadowboxing with a flow of humility and technique. Her father and team watches on the sidelines with John Kartman doing some commentary.]
JOHN KARTMAN: “You can tell she’s ready. She’s been waiting for an opportunity to get that second chance at the belt and she’s been fighting and training with a chip on her shoulder. I know Marissa is ready but this is a different Serenity Holmes. Humbled and hungry. I think it’s going to be an amazing fight and we’re proud of how far she’s come.”
[The final shot of this scene is Serenity doing some push ups after the photoshoot has ended. Her team laughs at her sense of humor and she stands up to thank the production crew.]
Weigh Ins
United Center
[Sunday was less than 24 hours away. Fight day was on the horizon and the suspense was mind shattering. In her first championship fight, her hands were always twitching, body always moving but this time? The opposite. She remained calm and contemptuous, her mind clear, and she was surrounded by those who supported her. Serenity was stationed in one of the locker rooms set up backstage with the hallways cleared for the fighters to make their way to weigh in for their fights. She was only in her gym bra, sweatpants and flip flops sitting down on a chair waiting for a crew member to let her know when to leave the room.]
SERENITY HOLMES: “I hate weigh-ins.”
ANDRE HOLMES: “You and me both.”
[A knock was heard on the door and one of the coaches opened it.]
CREW MEMBER: “Serenity, you’re up.”
[She nodded and stood up from the chair. Serenity left the room with her team behind her being escorted by the security team and a designated production crew member to guide her to the room for weigh ins. Before the stage, she was awaiting the cue to go. The rest of the room was enthralled by media personnel, and production. Serenity sighed but took a deep breath to relax as Bodie Sullivan made the announcement.]
BODIE SULLIVAN: “Now coming to the stage, she will be challenging for the UGP Bantamweight Championship. She is the 10th ranked pound for pound fighter, the number one bantamweight contender and the 2024 Prospect of the Year, “22nd Century Girl” Serenity Holmes.”
[A modicum of applause as Serenity climbed the steps up to the stage and then took off her sweatpants to be in her gym underwear, flip flops off and she stood on the scale. The physician checking the weight carefully and gave a nod to Bodie.]
BODIE SULLIVAN: “133.5 pounds for the title challenger!”
[Serenity flexed her muscles and walked off the stage with her team behind her after collecting her items left behind. She went back to her locker room to take a drink of water and sat down on the chair with the camera zooming in on her face.]
SERENITY HOLMES: “No excuses now. It’s time to become a champion.”
