Brisbane UFC fighter Bec Rawlings has finally got her wish, and in front of what will be a packed crowd at Qudos Arena in Sydney, she's ready to finally show her true potential in the UFC's newest weight division.
Rawlings spoke to Fairfax Media last year and said the introduction of a 125-pound women's flyweight division had the potential to be a massive success.
"I feel like a lot of girls in the strawweight division are killing themselves to make weight," she said.
"There's a lot of bigger girls who would love to have the 125 division and I'm one of them, but until then we're stuck in the 115 division and busting our arses to make weight.
"...I'm all for 125, I think it would be very successful if they bring it in.
"They've just introduced the women into the UFC which was a big jump for them, a big risk, and they've opened a lot of doors for women in the sport so I'm sure they're wary about throwing in too many divisions too soon in case they fail.
"The UFC are smart and there's a reason they do everything they do."
UFC president Dana White finally announced a women's flyweight division would be introduced in May, and now that Rawlings has her wish, she has an opportunity to show Australian fans what she can do in the new division against one of the few women in the UFC to have already had a 125-pound fight with the organisation.
Scotland's Joanne Calderwood fought Canadian Valerie Letourneau in what was seen at the time as a trial fight for the division a little over a year ago, and now Calderwood will clash with Rawlings in what shapes as a crucial fight for the two women.
Rawlings is on a two-fight skid and with a 2-3 UFC record, she needs a win in Sydney for job security.
Calderwood is 3-3 in the UFC and has also lost her last two, so a clash with Rawlings almost guarantees fireworks.
Rawlings said not having to cut an extra 10 pounds to make weight was a blessing.
"Not having to cut so much weight and break my body to make 115 is going to make a hell of a difference and I'm just really excited to put on a show for the Aussies and get back on the winning column," she said.
"I'm stoked to be fighting in Sydney, nothing beats fighting in front of a home crowd, the atmosphere is crazy and I love it."
UFC Sydney is headlined by a heavyweight clash between Mark Hunt and Marcin Tybura and goes down on Sunday November 19.
For all the latest information on the card, head to ufc.com/Sydney.
