Bellator MMA have announced some explosive additions to their roster over the past few days. Warriors from across the world will now get to display their prolific arsenal’s on one of the biggest organisations within the MMA world.
I took a trip down to Great Britain Top Team to catch up with Manuela Marconetto, one of many gifted professionals preparing to showcase what has earned this amazing opportunity when Bellator takes centre stage in Milan for the absolutely stacked Bellator 287: Piccolotti vs Barnaoui card.
Manuela “The Butcher’s Daughter” Marconetto 3-1-0 is an Italian Professional Mixed Martial Artist currently competing in the Strawweight Division, representing Great Britain Top Team. A professional competitor since 2017. She has competed for Fightstar Championship, Cage Warriors, Cage Warriors South East, The Golden Cage, Pallas Athena Women’s Fighting Championship, Centurion Fight Championship and makes her Bellator MMA debut on October 29th.
I’d like to start things off by thanking you for giving me the opportunity to come to Great Britain Top Team to speak with you today Manuela, and also to congratulate you on your recent inclusion to the Bellator MMA roster.
“Thank you so much for taking the time to visit the gym and interview me. What can I say, I’m so excited to be part of Bellator. I think this opportunity will make me enjoy my training even more, and fill me with confidence during this training camp.”
I can only imagine how exciting it must be to be part of the amazing roster.
All your hard work and dedication to your craft has given you this outstanding opportunity, How does it feel to now have your name on one of the biggest MMA organisations in the world?
“It’s a pleasure, for me, it was my dream honestly from when I first started out in MMA. To debut for Bellator, one of the biggest promotions in the world really means a lot to me, it’s such a privilege.”
Bellator has always been one of my all-time favourite promotions, the additions made including yourself will make it even more of an exciting promotion in the coming years.
Last we spoke was before your Successful outing over Danni McCormack at Centurion FC: New Era. You said that the bout with Danni was a chance to step up on the MMA scene, this statement echoed all the way to Scott Coker’s office it seems.
For the readers, could you elaborate on what you have been up to since that epic split decision victory in July, has it been business as usual when it comes to training?
“It was a big opportunity to showcase my skills and to prove that I am at a good level. I totally deserved the victory that night, after the bout I took a week off and dived straight back into training. In my opinion, It was definitely what opened the door for this opportunity.”
A new chapter will begin for you on October 29th, and your Bellator journey will begin in the familiar surroundings of your native Italy. A double round of celebrations I can imagine, how does it feel to be making your debut on home soil?
“It’s so amazing, a lot of my friends and family will have the opportunity to come and watch me out there. I think to have the support of them all will make a huge difference, also I’ll be fighting a fellow Italian so I can’t wait.”
In regards to the training camp for your inclusion on Bellator 287, will you be focusing on your upcoming challenge in the UK or in Italy?
“I will be continuing my training with GB Top Team. We have the best coaches, the best sparring partners that are at such a high level, I wouldn’t change the home of my camp for any fight personally. Here, I really have the chance to make myself better all round, the coaches know me and they are happy to have me so it would be pretty difficult for me to train anywhere other than here.”
It really is one of the best gyms I’ve had the pleasure to visit. I can see why this is the home of yours, and many other outstanding individuals training regimes.
You are set to take on fellow country women and Bellator regular Chiara Penco. A holder of a 7-3-0 record and what could be your biggest challenge to date. What do you make of Chiara in the build-up to your scheduled meeting in Milan?
“I think she’s a very good fighter with an amazing skill-set and great wrestling insight. with all the effort being put into training, it’s going to be a good fight.”
It’s certainly gonna be a war out there.
“It’s Definitely gonna be a war.”
I for one am looking forward to watching you on the big stage Manuela, congratulations once again thoroughly deserved. I wish you all the best for October.
Last but not least do you have a message for the fans that will be in attendance and anybody you’d like to give a shout-out to?
“Don’t miss this one, it’s gonna be a good fight. I will be putting one hundred percent into this, with a proper training camp behind me and all my tools sharpened and taking myself to the next level. I’d like to give a big thanks to my coaches at GB Top Team. To all my sponsors, Top Chiropractic, they take good care of me. Fit N Fresh UK, they supply my meal prep. Jon Durrant, Shane Campbell and Cory Tait. to all my teammates helping me through camp and thank you for taking the time to come and interview me today”
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