Dione Barbosa is preparing for a challenging fight against Diana Belbita at UFC Vegas 105, despite Belbita’s recent losses, as both fighters aim to bounce back from previous defeats.
Diana Belbita finds herself in a tough spot, having lost five out of her seven UFC bouts. But, Dione Barbosa isn’t underestimating her opponent for their Saturday clash in Las Vegas.
Barbosa returns to the octagon at UFC Vegas 105 after a decision loss to Miranda Maverick in July. Despite that, she’s treating Belbita like an elite fighter, aiming to boost her record to 2-1 in the promotion.
“If it’s up to me, her bad streak will continue,” Barbosa chuckled. She appreciates the matchup because Belbita’s experience is vast—24 fights compared to Barbosa’s 10. It’s precisely the kind of challenge she craves.
Belbita has victories over Hannah Goldy and Maria Oliveira but fell short against names like Molly McCann and Karolina Kowalkiewicz. Yet, Barbosa is unfazed by Belbita’s past struggles; she’s focused on her own need for a win.
“I’m going for a war,” Barbosa declared. She’s not dwelling on Belbita’s current situation or her own recent loss on short notice. To her, it’s all about training hard and seizing any opportunity for a knockout or submission.
Training at the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas, Barbosa sees both pros and cons. While she’s surrounded by top-tier athletes eager to share knowledge, privacy can be scarce.
“But I have no problem training with potential future opponents,” she noted. It can be annoying, sure, but it’s also a chance to find sparring partners—especially among women in the same weight class.
After debuting successfully against Ernesta Kareckaite at UFC 301, Barbosa called out Ivana Petrovic. They crossed paths multiple times during this camp at the UFC PI, but it’s all friendly competition according to Barbosa.
Originally offered a fight on the UFC Mexico card, Barbosa now competes a week later at UFC APEX. Though she was eager to end her layoff, she’s relieved not to deal with Mexico City’s high altitude.
“We started preparing for the altitude immediately,” Barbosa shared. Planning to arrive weeks early meant more expenses. The delay was frustrating but financially beneficial for her camp.
“The Witch” is keen to stay active post-UFC Vegas 105 and has opponents lined up in her mind. She was set to fight Casey O’Neill before an injury sidelined O’Neill. Now, with JJ Aldrich ranked, Barbosa has her sights set on calling out Aldrich next.