UGP 71 BEFORE THE WALK: VERONA JIMENEZ
Holmes MMA and Wrestling Academy
Houston, Texas
[With the sound of pads being hit and bags being slammed, the Holmes MMA and Wrestling Academy filled with fighters and athletes on a normal day of training. The video feed portrays a large section of black mats to have fighters train on the mat. However, it’s John Hartman, the head grappling coach of the camp standing around to monitor the athletes practicing their wrestling and their ju jitsu. The camera focuses on two, Verona Jimenez and Serenity Holmes, rolling on the mat in their grappling exchanges. A quick close up of John to give his thoughts.]
JOHN HARTMAN: “We have the biggest fight coming up for Verona Jimenez. She’s facing Victoria Marshall, the pound for pound fighter in the world. You know what she’s capable of and we have Serenity Holmes helping with her training. We’re focusing a lot on improving her defense on the ground but also tailoring her strength to unexpected offense.”
[On the mat, Serenity Holmes is controlling her in half guard and John leans in watching the movement she makes. At first, Verona is trying her best to shrimp, buck her hips in panic from her little experience on the mat which makes Serenity jump at her every chance to keep her pinned and pepper her with short shots to the body and head.]
JOHN HARTMAN: “Easy, easy, easy. You’re facing a wrestler who will use that against you. She’s extremely relentless and very experienced. Be patient, keep her controlled and use your strength and size to create space.”
[Verona listens keenly. Serenity advances to pass half guard into the mount but the moment she lifts her right leg up, Verona quickly bucks her upper body with her right arm posted to create space. She blocks her from passing and then pushes her hips up to create space and escape back to her feet. John applauds her for the work and the session ends after the loud beep from the training clock. A close up on Serenity Holmes sweating in her jiu jitsu spats but she’s happy from the training.]
SERENITY HOLMES: “Verona is one of the toughest fighters in our camp. She’s the featherweight champion but she needs to get ready for Victoria. We’re helping her with a gameplan and an improved one from my fight with her. She’s an amazing fighter and our fight homegrown champion. There’s no one else who deserves it more than her.”
[Back on the mat, she’s developing her boxing in sparring with Serenity Holmes. She’s using her jab then gets the cue for uppercuts. The Philly shell helped with her movement and keeping her hands low to prepare for any potential shots for a takedown. Another round ends from the bell and the last shot is Verona and Serenity unwrapping the wrist tapes and talking to each other.]
Lucille’s
Houston, Texas
[Lucille’s is a very known restaurant in Houston, Texas, for producing quality top southern food and the camp never misses an opportunity to spend time together. Inside the establishment, Verona was joined by Serenity, Mason, Robin and a couple of other fighters who were developing into the professional scene yet to make their debut in one of the big four promotions. All of them seated around the table and Robin next to his girlfriend, Verona, watching some of their past fights. Verona is the first to speak to the camera.]
VERONA JIMENEZ: “We wanted to come together and just celebrate the success of our camp so far. We have to remember it’s not always about work, we can have fun too.”
[The food has arrived and everyone is happy about their orders. Serenity and Mason are digging into their meals like two cavemen who just devoured their hunting kills without any mercy. The rest of the group are watching them in awe at their appetite. Robin, sits with his girlfriend, and whispers off with a couple of other fighters before she takes notice and interrupts him.]
VERONA JIMENEZ: “What are you so gossipy about?”
ROBIN KELSON: “…Nothing?”
VERONA JIMENEZ: “…Mhm. You’re up to something.”
[Some of the other fighters giggle underneath their breath and play it off as nothing. Verona is trying her best to figure out what is going on but Serenity tells her it’s all okay.]
VERONA JIMENEZ: “Okay, what is going on? You guys are up to something, especially you.”
[Her reference to Robin is cold but he remains smiling. He motions to Verona behind her and she looks over to see her mother, Maria Jimenez, standing behind her. Verona explodes out of her chair to hug her tightly, crying in her shoulders, and the team applauds at the family reunion. Her mother is so happy to be back with her daughter and she motions that Robin was the one who brought her here.]
ROBIN KELSON: “Just wanted to make you hap-!”
[She breaks away from her mother’s arms and runs into Robin to give him a big hug and a kiss, Mason pretends to vomit and Serenity is recording everything on her phone. The final shot is Robin, Verona and her mother, Maria, taking a picture together.]
Holmes MMA and Wrestling Academy
Houston, Texas
JOHN KARTHAN: “I want five minutes of striking. Verona, Robin will be pressuring you for the takedown or putting you against the cage for the clinch. Use your reach, height and footwork advantage to move, keep at bay but explode forward with combinations!”
[The beep from the training clock starts. Verona’s in the cage with her sparring partner, Robin, and he’s pressing forward as instructed. Verona is keeping him at bay with snapping jabs but he’s still moving forward despite taking punches in bunches. When she even gets closer to the cage, he snaps down in a level change for a double leg takedown and Verona gets pushed back to the wall using it to frame and keep a heavy base.]
JOHN KARTHAN: “Keep his head down, and if it is exposed, I want elbows. Punish for every failed takedown attempt, discourage her from even wrestling with you!”
[She spreads her legs wide but Robin is using his strength to maul her. Verona keeps her body against the cage and peppers his temple with downward elbows before shifting her body away to have space between the two. The session comes to an end for a short break and the camera focuses on Verona sitting down by the cage taking a breath.]
VERONA JIMENEZ: “It’s a tough training camp. I’ll say that it’s hard some days especially with the grappling but I’m ready to go in there with Victoria. We know what she’s going to do. She’s shown it with Serenity, MANDEM, Saetang, Eugenie and C.C. I have to be the one to break the streak.”
[The session begins again and Verona is pushing through, she’s the aggressor and peppering Robin with long range jabs and combinations but slipping out of range for any takedowns. What makes it interesting is she’s not going back but circling, shifting directions and throwing combinations from angles.]
JOHN KARTHAN: “Very nice! Very nice! Confuse her with combinations, body, head, leg, and move in different directions.”
[She manages to clip Robin with a right hand and uses that to push forward. The tide of the momentum from training continues with Verona being the aggressor until the round ends and the final shot is Verona thanking Robin and her coaches. She unwraps the gloves and walks out of the cage to get back on the bicycle to continue with her cardio and the camera comes to a close up.]
VERONA JIMENEZ: “Just another day in paradise.”
The Jimenez Residence
Houston, Texas
[After becoming a champion, a lot has changed in her life to where she’s bought a house near the city of Houston in a gated suburban area. The beginning of the scene shows her beautiful backyard, a two-story modern home, and in the living area are bags packed with Verona, Robin, Mason and a couple of her coaches all getting ready. Outside in the driveway are two SUV’s scheduled through company service to drive her to the George Bush International Airport. Verona walks out with her bags and gives a kiss to Robin then the rest of the coaches along with Mason pack their bags in the back of the SUV’s. She gets in the back and all of them are on their way to the airport with a close up on Verona.]
VERONA JIMENEZ: “This is a lot to think about. We’ve had a great training session, a lot of camp preparation and leaving home is always the worst. I have to be there early in Madrid because we have a couple of media days and training days ahead of time. Being a champion is a responsibility but also a privilege so I will make the best of it.”
[The drive to the airport was pretty long. Verona took a nap in the first car but in the car following behind them, Mason was talking with his coaches about Reggie James and his upcoming fight. He was loud, belligerent but very honest about his feelings about Reggie James.]
MASON LAMBERT: “I’m f**king ready for him bro. I’m going to f**k his face up and get my win back. I lost to Alex but he’s a tough motherf**ker and he earned it. Reggie? Nah, I’m going to knock him the f**k out and get back to becoming my way to middleweight champion.”
JOHN HARTMAN: “You’re not worried about his grappling?”
MASON LAMBERT: “Motherf**ker, isn’t that your job? I’m not playing touch butt with him. We not wasting time on that. I’m gonna put his ass out of his misery.”
[Once arriving at the airport, Verona steps out to an audience of fans holding up the Mexican flag and cheering her on. She buries her face into her palms from the sheer excitement and can’t handle how much the support means to her. Hell, Mason is even dancing with some of the audience members and Verona points and laughs at him.]
VERONA JIMENEZ: “¡Viva México!”
[The crowd cheers her on and she is very thankful. The final shot of the scene is Verona posing with her fans and holding up the Mexican flag. In addition, there’s the video of Mason and his coaches trying to dance but it comes off awkward and hilarious.]
Royal Palace of Madrid
Madrid, Spain
[It’s one thing to be focused on the fight but the mental rest from training to appreciate the opportunities as a champion is necessary. On a beautiful tour of the city, Verona Jimenez walks with her team being led by a travel agent who was assigned to show the beautiful Royal Palace of Madrid. Verona, wearing her shades to protect her eyes against the sun, takes pictures of such a beautifully designed institution that has lived through many years. The camera closes on her enjoying the tour and she’s appreciative of the matter.]
VERONA JIMENEZ: “Not many people get to travel like us. We’re fighters but we have lives too. I’m thankful for the opportunity to be in such a beautiful country and have people around me who share the same values I have. I want to just learn about everything and everywhere. History is important to understanding where to go in the future.”
[She continues to walk around, being guided by the tour agent, and Verona is feeling a sense of spirituality when it comes to the history being told. The rest of the team are truly disciplined in learning education. It’s a front for the academy. Mason, for the first time, doesn’t create a scene. He’s loving the view that the camera comes to him for his own time.]
MASON LAMBERT: “We’re crazy people. We just build these things like freakin’ geniuses. I always respect talent and looking at all this? Talented like crazy.”
JOHN HARTMAN: “Not you getting all sentimental.”
MASON LAMBERT: “Hey, I’m a cultured man as well.”
[The coaches laugh together and Verona appreciates their company. Once again, the fans of the fight industry recognize her and swarm around her where she starts signing autographs and taking photos with the fans. Mason gets a couple of fans who approach him and he’s doing some funny faces loving the attention. The camera cuts to John Hartman, the head grappling coach for his thoughts.]
JOHN HARTMAN: “I’m very proud of Verona and Mason. It’s one thing to see your fighters grow in the cage but another outside the cage. Verona, she’s a star. She’s well liked by the fans and Mason? He’s a character. Regardless, their progression is something amazing.”
[The team comes together and the travel agent has the phone to work on taking a picture together. Verona and Mason are in the middle with the coaches surrounding them and they are celebrating the beautiful city of Madrid.]
Pre-Fight Interview
Catalonia Gran Vía Madrid
[The hotel assigned for the champion was nothing less than luxury. It would be a one night experience for the average person but when on top of the world, the Union Grand Prix spared no expense. The suite was too luxurious and packed a lot of space to help her feel more at home. On the other hand, a couple of production members visited her suite alongside her coaches. Verona sits in front of a laptop mounted with a camera, and she has her hair down in a black one-piece suit awaiting for the cue from production. The interview commenced for a quick pre-fight stream with Kayla Chapman on an interview chair beginning the announcement.]
KAYLA CHAPMAN: “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to our pre-fight interview as we sit down with a woman who will be defending the Union Grand Prix Featherweight Championship of the World against the pound-for-pound fighter, Victoria Marshall, at UGP 71: Jimenez vs. Marshall, “Curtida” Verona Jimenez!”
[Verona smiles and waves.]
KAYLA CHAPMAN: “Verona, congratulations on your recent defense against Lucija Dragicevic. You won that fight via unanimous decision and clearly showed you are a defending champion. How did it feel to earn that win?”
VERONA JIMENEZ: “It was a relief. I was never worried about anything else. I was surprised she didn’t even try to take me down or wrestle. I think she tried to do ugh, how do you say? Reverse psychology? Well, either way, I won and I’m still the champ. People thought I had gotten lucky because of her injury which put me in position but now there’s no more doubt.”
KAYLA CHAPMAN: “And speaking of position, you’ll be facing your biggest challenge, Victoria Marshall, who is arguably becoming the greatest of all time in conversation. Where is your head at?”
VERONA JIMENEZ: “When she made the decision to move up into my weight class, I knew it was a matter of time. We’ve been preparing ahead of time for her wrestling and grappling but never shying away from striking. I’m ready because I want to beat her and become number one in pound for pound.”
KAYLA CHAPMAN: “Well thank you for your quick thoughts and for those watching, be sure to tune in for UGP 71: Jimenez vs. Marshall. Thank you to our UGP Featherweight Champion, Verona Jimenez, and wishing you good luck in your upcoming championship defense! Good bye everyone and see you soon in the Movistar Arena!”
Pre-Fight Press Conference
Movistar Arena
[The Movistar Arena. It will become the destined battleground for Verona Jimenez and Victoria Marshall. However, for the media portion of the day, the open conference room has been setup with a small stage, a line of chairs in rows and columns occupied by the media personnel and journalists in the room. The lights are all shining on the stage with the giant poster of the stage to highlight the main card and the event sponsors. On the stage attending is none other than Verona Jimenez taking a seat with the featherweight championship belt resting in front of her. She picks up the microphone and acknowledges the first questionnaire.]
INTERVIEWER: “Verona Jimenez. Many claim you have an advantage in your preparation for Victoria Marshall through your teammate Serenity Holmes. Has she been essential to your training for this fight?”
VERONA JIMENEZ: “Yes. My team has experience with Victoria Marshall and have better insights. Serenity fought her and she fell to the grappling but also the striking played a factor against her too. We’ve come up with ideas, plans and predicted things she might do that we’ve learned and seen over time.”
INTERVIEWER: “A lot of people have counted her as the favorite with the experts but the fans are split down the middle. Is that supporting you in your mindset?”
VERONA JIMENEZ: “Not really, no. I’m focused on the fight alone. She’s razor sharp, she’s focused, she’s a champion level fighter. She does not worry about what people think and neither do I. I’m preparing to give it my all and win. There is the threat of wrestling and grappling but I will show why I do this not only for myself but also for my country of Mexico.”
[Verona was fully confident after explaining her purpose to fight.]
INTERVIEWER: “And you’ve expressed that you want to be pound for pound if you win. Is that still the case?”
VERONA JIMENEZ: “Yes. She’s the number one fighter overall and proven so. I’m number four. I will go in there and win. I feel we have something both to lose and everything to gain. I’m fighting for more than myself and that’s why I’ve been training, developing and preparing a long time for this. Victoria wants to be a two-weight division champion but I want to be pound for pound. I’m going to win and I’m going to show that I am the best. Thank you.”
[She stands up from the table and takes the belt with her leaving the room with motivation written on her face.]
Open Mat
Movistar Arena
[The Movistar Arena is one of Madrid’s pride possessions with a history so rich of events it makes UGP 71 even honorable to be a part of the legacy. Verona’s mindset approaching the fight days away has hardened and she’s loving the support wherever she goes. The training camp has been essential in preparing her for her upcoming main event but also showing that support system which turns a fighter from great to astonishing. On this portion of fight week, the open forum has been created for open mat day. This signifies the fighters showing their progress and putting on a show to attract fans.]
JOHN KARTHAN: “Punches and bunches. Short, crisp, and technical. I don’t want any wasted motion or any open spaces for her to shoot and counter!”
[On the stage surrounded by the fans watching and recording with their phones, the sound of pads being exploded by punches is Verona working the pads with her striking coach, John Karthan. Verona is bouncing on her feet, putting in all that work, and striking the punching pads in boxing combinations from both stances. Her punches are crisp, short but hold a lot of power.]
JOHN KARTHAN: “Remember to circle. Remember to move after the punches and create space, use your range against her.”
[The coach is moving forward and trying to barrel her down but Verona never falters. She strikes forward with long jabs, straights and uppercuts until using head movement and footwork to get out from danger. A final combination cuts it on the pads and the round comes to a significant end with the audience cheering her on. Right on cue, Kayla comes on the stage after John Karthan settles away to let her get interviewed.]
KAYLA CHAPMAN: “Verona Jimenez! You’re only days away from your championship main event against Victoria Marshall. What can we expect?!”
[Before she can answer, the audience breaks out into cheers and Verona is pleased. She lets them continue before speaking into the microphone.]
VERONA JIMENEZ: “I’m coming for all of us! This is my biggest fight and I wouldn’t have it any other way! I will be walking out of the fight still the champion but the new pound for pound fighter of the world! Thank you all for your support and don’t miss it!”
[She gives the microphone back to Kayla who applauds her. The audience cheers and Verona raises her arms in the air.]
Promotional Day
Movistar Arena
[Open mat day was a massive success. The turnout for the event did numbers for the company but now it was time to shift focus to internal affairs. The walk in the backstage hallway to one of the rooms created for promotional day was long. The camera followed alongside Verona Jimenez and Mason Lambert in their UGP gear for their eventual photoshoot followed by their team. Verona holding the championship belt around her right shoulder and Mason’s head covered by the hoodie but both fighters are ready for their upcoming fight against their opponents. Mason speaks when the camera cuts to him.]
MASON LAMBERT: “Another day of doing this media crap. I just want to fight now and put some blood on Reggie. I understand the obligation but to be honest, I just want to get this over with.”
[They pass through double doors into a large room with a production and media team. An array of tables for fight gear, gloves, posters, and another section for pictures to be taken. The video cuts to Verona Jimenez sitting on a table signing posters for her main event fight. The camera does a close up of her signing the poster.]
VERONA JIMENEZ: “I’m definitely looking forward to this fight. We’re doing our glove fitting and pictures. I love the fight but I also love my fans. It’s a great experience.”
[After putting on her gloves, she confirms with the crew her size fits and also chooses her colors of the Mexican flag to represent her fight wear. On the photoshoot mat in front of the background, she starts throwing combinations in her shadow boxing to record footage for the upcoming event. In addition, the photographer begins taking photos of her posing in her boxing stance but also shots of her with the featherweight championship belt. Mason stands on the sideline after his time has ended watching her.]
MASON LAMBERT: “This is it. The time for talking is over and we have to get ready for the fight of her life. I’ve trained with Verona and all I can say is Victoria Marshall better be ready because she’s in for the fight of her life.”
[And the final photoshoot is Verona posing with the mexican flag draped around her body, the smile of pride from the support of her entire country. The featherweight championship on one shoulder and flag on the other. Verona thanks the team for the photoshoot and the camera takes a final view of Verona on her knees praying and thanking her Lord for letting be a champion for all of Mexico.]
