Not many MMA fighters go for a protracted newbie profession earlier than pursuing knowledgeable profession in cages around the globe. However after they do, particularly at a younger age, they typically discover themselves a step forward of competitors.
That’s the case for 23-year-old strawweight Aieza Bertolso, a prime prospect who enters Saturday night time’s LFA 209 in Cuiabá, Brazil, driving a 19-fight successful streak. Bertolso gained a number of newbie IMMAF championships earlier than turning professional in 2023, going 5-0 since underneath the LFA banner. She hopes {that a} win over Samara Santos on Might 24 might result in larger alternatives sooner or later.
“I really feel able to battle for the LFA title, or battle on the Contender Sequence, and even straight within the UFC, as a result of I have already got enormous expertise,” Bertolso informed MMA Combating. “No matter the place I am going, I’m certain I’m greater than able to signify, give my all, and fly even increased in my profession.”
Bertolso was born in Alto Taquari, a small city positioned 300 miles away from state capital Cuiabá, and began taking jiu-jitsu lessons at younger age. She cherished watching movies of Cris Cyborg, Ronda Rousey, Amanda Nunes and Jessica Andrade on YouTube, and dreamed of someday changing into identical to them.
At 17, searching for a gymnasium to assist her transition from grappling to blended martial arts, Bertolso moved to Rio de Janeiro and joined MSP gymnasium. Her coaches noticed expertise after a trio of newbie wins in Brazil and determined to enlist her on the newbie circuit, touring all around the world to compete and achieve expertise.
Bertolso gained her first IMMAF world championship in 2021, and vowed to show professional after claiming a second title. The trophy got here in 2023, and three months later she was already a professional fighter competing for LFA. Named by MMA Combating one of many prime Brazilian prospects to observe in 2025 after successful a trio of fights in 2024, Bertolso enters the cage for the primary time this yr seeking to cement her place as the way forward for the game.
“I do know that is going to be an ideal yr for my profession,” Bertolso mentioned. “I don’t know if I’ll battle for the [LFA] title after this. If I do battle yet another time in LFA, I do consider it’s going to be for the belt, however I don’t know but. All I’m pondering proper now’s about this subsequent battle, as a result of I do know that with win, with efficiency, I’ll fly increased not solely in LFA. I wish to placed on an ideal efficiency so I can present, if not in LFA however on the Contender or UFC, that I’m prepared and deserve this chance.”
Santos, her opponent at LFA 209, is a former ONE Championship contender with a document of 12-9-1. She as soon as challenged Xiong Jing Nan for the ONE title in 2018, and has gone 1-1 on the Brazilian circuit since parting methods with the Asian promotion.
Bertolso scored seven of her 9 submission victories within the opening spherical, and foresees her tapping out Soares in Cuiabá.
“She’s an skilled lady, and I’m very excited for this battle,” Bertolso mentioned. “I’ve enormous respect for her. I consider she’s going to give me challenges I haven’t confronted in professional MMA but, and I’m prepared for this. I consider we’ll placed on an ideal battle. Once they provided me the battle, and I noticed she was that skilled, it gave me a lift to wish to present that I’m able to battle extra skilled women and actually placed on a present and get the victory.”
