Karol Rosa is a fighter who’s not afraid of change. She’s faced victory, defeat, and even weight fluctuations with the same grit and determination. She spent a year living in a foreign country, a move that she says helped her learn more about herself.
She’s a representative of Parana Vale Tudo and is set to return to the women’s bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. This comes after a recent move to 145 pounds, which saw her break even in two appearances. Rosa is scheduled to fight Irene Aldana in the UFC 296 prelim on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. For Rosa, it’s a significant step in her development.
Rosa is a firm believer in learning from losses. She told Sherdog.com, “I did a lot of learning, professionally and personally.” She spent a year in the United States, training at the UFC Performance Institute. This experience helped her understand her body better, particularly in terms of physical conditioning and nutrition. She carries these lessons with her into every fight, constantly evolving and maturing.
Rosa is comfortable with the 135-pound weight class. She says, “It’s a good thing to be going back to bantamweight. I feel strong.” In Aldana, Rosa faces one of the top 5 women’s bantamweights in the UFC. Aldana, a Lobo Gym standout, has won seven of her last ten bouts.
Despite Aldana’s impressive record, Rosa is confident. She’s ready to go all three rounds, expecting a tough fight. She says, “I’m ready for a war. I know we’ll have one.” Rosa is also looking forward to the striking aspect of the fight. She believes a win over Aldana will put her in line for a shot at the belt.
Rosa has a 6-2 record in the UFC. Her wins over Lara Procopio, Vanessa Melo, Joselyne Edwards, Bethe Correia, Lina Lansberg, and Yana Santos are offset by losses to Sara McMann and Norma Dumont. All eight of her bouts inside the Octagon have gone the distance. Rosa sees her upcoming fight with Aldana as a potential springboard, particularly with Nunes’ retirement leaving a void in the women’s bantamweight division.
Rosa’s objective is clear: beat Aldana and fight for the belt next. She says, “I feel there’s a good chance of that happening. I’m ready for that. My focus for now is on Aldana.” Rosa is eager to be the next challenger and is working hard to make that happen. She wants to be the next champion.