UFC London: Elise Reed determined to make Cory McKenna a highlight

Elise Reed is ready to rebound and earn her first UFC victory against Cory McKenna at UFC London on March 19th.

The former CFFC strawweight champion fell short last time out in what was Reed’s first-ever Octagon foray. She suffered a tough first-round TKO loss to Sijara Eubanks that came at UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs Dillashaw last July.

Devastation sustained from an amateur title fight defeat informed how Reed handled the promotional debut loss.

“Nobody in the cage is going to put me in a worse position,” Reed told The AllStar. “You have to be twenty pounds heavier than me stepping into the cage built like a refrigerator. Then pin me and mount but I still hit back from the bottom mounted. I know now that there is nothing worse that I can expect. There’s no worse outcome that can happen.

“Now that I’m in my weight division, let’s go. I think it was a realization of me trying to find myself. Even though it wasn’t the best showcase, I know that anybody in the UFC at 115 can’t do anything to me that’s worse than that. It’s very interesting to have that perspective.”

Reed seems to feel a pronounced level of confidence in her current kicking game for MMA. Figuring out how to really interface her taekwondo base with the MMA ruleset as of late. Also of note is that her Octagon debut was at flyweight. Reed’s sophomore effort will be in a much more natural weight category for her, the familiar strawweight division.

UK fans have been kind in their interactions but Reed realizes who the partisan favorite will be on fight night. McKenna is going to be the localized favorite and brings a myriad of combat skills in Reed’s estimation.

“I know that she’s a good fighter,” Reed said. “She definitely has a very well-rounded game. Comes from a wrestling background with Urijah Faber in her camp there. So I am expecting some solid wrestling. I have the striking so we’ll see which one wins. Nothing against her, she seems to have a really well-rounded game. I’m thinking she’ll probably want to wrestle but we’ll see.”

The fight prediction for this bout is oriented to things ending inside the distance. Reed wants to secure a finish in a true statement performance.

“I think the second round,” Reed revealed. “I don’t know exactly what. I’ve been working on some things. So I’m happy to bring that finish wherever. But I’ll let the audience guess. Because I want a highlight, of course. I just want a highlight. So we’ll see.”

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Fighter profile

Elise Reed is a 29 year old female fighter from United States with 4 pro wins and 1 losses. Reed is scheduled to fight Cory McKenna at UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs. Aspinall on Saturday March 19, 2022.

Elise Reed’s recent form coming into this matchup

Elise Reed has gone 4-1 in the last 5 professional MMA fights.

• Loss vs Sijara Eubanks • KO/TKO R1 3:49 • 2021-07-24
• Win vs Hilarie Rose • KO/TKO R2 4:57 • 2021-05-29
• Win vs Jillian DeCoursey • Decision R4 3:00 • 2020-12-18
• Win vs Jasmine Jasudavicius • Decision R3 5:00 • 2020-08-13
• Win vs Rebecca Bryggman • KO/TKO R1 4:48 • 2019-10-25

Elise Reed’s next opponent: Cory “Poppins” McKenna

Cory “Poppins” McKenna’s recent form coming into this matchup

Cory “Poppins” McKenna is a 22 year old female fighter from Wales with 6 pro wins and 1 losses. McKenna is scheduled to fight Elise Reed at UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs. Aspinall on Saturday March 19, 2022.

Cory McKenna has gone 4-1 in the last 5 professional MMA fights.

• Win vs Kay Hansen • Decision R3 5:00 • 2020-11-14
• Win vs Vanessa Demopoulos • Decision R3 5:00 • 2020-08-11
• Win vs Giulia Chinello • KO/TKO R1 2:15 • 2019-05-31
• Win vs Fannie Redman • Submission R2 2:06 • 2019-04-27
• Loss vs Micol di Segni • Decision R3 5:00 • 2018-09-29

How to watch and bet on Elise Reed vs Cory McKenna