ONE ON ONE FT. SERENITY HOLMES
[Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is a beautiful city known for the season of sports. Union Grand Prix’s final event of the year, UGP 72, comes to The Kingdom Arena with three championship main events. However, the featured undercard houses the return of Serenity Holmes against Morgan LeChance. An upcoming battle between friends and Serenity has expressed getting back into the title picture with a significant win over Morgan. The interview opens with Kayla sitting on a white couch at a rooftop bar with a view of the city, The Stella Sky Lounge, and she’s dressed moderately amazing in a silver one suit with blue heels on.]
KAYLA CHAPMAN: “Ladies and gentlemen, I am Kayla Chapman and we have a very special one-on-one today for UGP 72: McCall vs. Kelson. Joining me at this moment, she is the two-time title challenger, the 2024 Prospect of the Year and the number three ranked bantamweight fighter, “22nd Century Girl” Serenity Holmes!”
[Right on cue, Serenity walks into the camera view and sits on the couch next to Kayla. She’s sporting her leather jacket with a strap leather shirt, black denim jeans and black high heels. Serenity sits upright and smiles at Kayla after the thoughtful introduction.]
SERENITY HOLMES: “Thank you so much for letting me be here Kayla.”
KAYLA CHAPMAN: “My pleasure. Serenity, you’ve been one of the fastest rising stars in the Union Grand Prix. I remember when your first interview that you wanted to prove yourself and to the world that you are a fighter. Your journey signifies that. You’ve had two championship main events, you’re the 2024 prospect of the year and your talent shows you continue to improve. How has your journey in MMA been personally to you?”
[It’s a loaded question but Serenity couldn’t help but chuckle. She’s been in MMA, professionally speaking since 2023, and it takes a moment for her to answer due to the weight of how far she’s come.]
SERENITY HOLMES: “I feel proud. When I debuted in mixed martial arts, I turned pro when I was 19 years old. I thought to myself this is an entirely new world. I started out as a professional wrestler because that was my legacy and I never felt fulfilled because the path was laid out before me. I wanted to do something of my own and honestly, when you’re dominating an industry, you want to see what else you could do. MMA was the next step and I don’t regret taking that opportunity. I truly do love this sport, I love fighting and it’s been a rollercoaster Kayla. A real rollercoaster.”
KAYLA CHAPMAN: “What do you mean by a rollercoaster?”
SERENITY HOLMES: “The ups and downs. The thrill and disappointment. I’ve never given up on anything I’ve done. To start in UGP on a six fight win streak and just prove that I can be in the cage with some of the best fighters today and beat them, it’s a lot. I continue to train my butt off and work on anything I could find to be a weakness. Honestly, losing the two championship fights hurt a lot Kayla but you learn who you are in defeat. I don’t see a loss as a setback, I see it as a learning curve.”
[Serenity pauses then continues.]
SERENITY HOLMES: “But regardless, everything that I’ve done so far has been worth it. I love the Union Grand Prix and I’ve never felt so welcomed and motivated. My journey? It’s not going to end and I’m going to continue this until I can’t anymore. Regardless of what people say or think, I am here in MMA and no one can take that from me.”
KAYLA CHAPMAN: “I want to diverge to UGP 72. You’ll be the featured undercard fight against Morgan LeChance. She’s the number four ranked bantamweight riding a six fight win streak. Many consider you to be alike in regards to your path and although you two are friends, will that play a factor?”
[Serenity’s demeanor changes to a professional and firm. She knows her upcoming fight with Morgan will be a potential title contention fight and she’s been preparing for a long time.]
SERENITY HOLMES: “Kayla. I always knew myself and Morgan was going to fight at one point. She is a young fighter like myself but she’s ready for this. She’s on a six fight win streak beating some prospects as well. Sky Sakarya, Meigui Blackman, and Gabriela Vasquez. She’s earned a lot of performance bonuses, fight of the nights and I wouldn’t be surprised if she was named Prospect of the Year for 2025.”
KAYLA CHAPMAN: “You have a lot of respect for her as it seems.”
SERENITY HOLMES: “She’s my friend. I respect her as a person but I respect her as a fighter as well. I know Morgan is dangerous on the feet. We’re both kickboxers and she’s aggressive. She’ll want to bring the fight to me and she’s good with Ju Jitsu but her grappling? She’s struggled with it in every fight she’s been in. Recently, in her fight against Vasquez, she was taken down and controlled a lot. However, I know she’s been working on that and she should. One thing I’ve been focusing on is my gas tank, conditioning, cardio, and I’ve been learning Muay Thai to add to my arsenal. I love Morgan but this is a fight. She called me out because she wants to break into the top three and be a title contender but I want another shot at the belt.”
[Kayla nods and appreciates the answer provided by Serenity. She continues on with the questioning..]
KAYLA CHAPMAN: “So what will we see? Every fight, you continue to improve and give it your all. Are we going to see a war? A finish?”
SERENITY HOLMES: “I am going to beat Morgan LeChance. She’s a fighter, a great kickboxer but I am going to show that there’s a lot she may need to learn. I’m a complete fighter. On the feet, ground, clinch or wherever, I’m ready to show that I am still the number one bantamweight and I want another shot at the belt. I love Morgan, she’s a great friend which is why I have to defeat her. I’m not going to hold back. She called me out, she wants the fight? I answered. Now? No more words, just action but I promise you Kayla and everyone, the one getting her hand raised will be me.”
[Serenity’s passionate tone escapes from her lips and Kayla has always known for her to be a spitfire of a woman’s fighter. However, she trails off to a question she’s been wanting to ask for a long time on behalf of the UGP audience.]
KAYLA CHAPMAN: “Thank you Serenity. I have one more question to ask. What does the future hold for you? Are we going to see you as the dual-sport competitor or has there been any talks about you going exclusive to MMA?”
[The question has been one she’s been thinking about for a long time. Serenity looks away, needing a small moment to configure how to answer this as she’s been pondering on the decision that would eventually come.]
SERENITY HOLMES: “You know, this is a decision I’ve been wrestling with for a long time. All I can say is after UGP 72, you’ll get my final answer about where my future lies. As of now, I just want to fight.”
KAYLA CHAPMAN: “Well then, with that said, I can’t thank you enough for being here, Serenity Holmes, and be sure to tune into UGP 72: McCall vs. Kelson, to witness the featured undercard bout between Serenity Holmes and Morgan LeChance!”
[The interview fades out after the camera shows the skyline view of Riyadh at night to the promotional package of UGP 72: McCALL vs. KELSON!]
