Roxanne Modafferi “Got Confused” Hearing Opponent’s Corner At UFC Apex
Fighting at the crowd-less UFC Apex was a learning experience for Roxanne Modafferi.
Modafferi (24-17) fights Andrea Lee (11-4) at UFC Vegas 10 on Saturday, September 10. Modafferi made her UFC Apex debut against Lauren Murphy on June 20. The quiet venue has influenced the product in different ways: viewers can hear the impact of strikes and fighters can hear instruction from coaches and commentators.
“I did take away from the experience,” Modafferi said of her last fight. “I was listening to Lauren [Murphy’s] corner for a bit. They were speaking in code. I got confused once and then I realized, ‘Oh crap, stop listening.’ Now I think I’m going to be more ready for that. If I hear something, don’t even bother with it.”
Modafferi has alternated wins-and-losses since returning to the UFC; meanwhile, Lee is on the first losing streak of her professional career. When asked who has more pressure on their shoulders, Modafferi said it was likely her opponent.
“I don’t know if you can really compare that. I would say probably her because of the losing streak number. I don’t even want to talk about my last fight. I gotta win. I gotta win. I have to. For myself. It means a lot to me,” she shared. “It is a bummer.”
Finally, Modafferi touched on training with former opponent Sarah Kaufman.
“That was cool. I’m glad that she likes training with me,” Modafferi said. “For me, she’s really good and she’s bigger than me and stronger than me. She beats me up at the gym but she’s not hurting me, so she teaches me a lot She gives me advice. It’s good work for me. It was a challenge at first because she did beat me, we did fight, but we kind of made friends after that. It’s cool, now I see her as a mentor in some areas.”
UFC Vegas 10 takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, September 12. The card is headlined by Michelle Waterson vs. Angela Hill and airs on ESPN+. Keep up with Fightful for all your fight night coverage.
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