Into the Void Steps Karol Rosa

Karol Rosa chooses to embrace change, whether it takes the form of victory, defeat, flubs on the scale or a 12-month stay in a foreign country to learn more about herself.

The Parana Vale Tudo rep will return to the Ultimate Fighting Championship women’s bantamweight division—a recent move to 145 pounds saw her break even in two appearances—when she squares off with Irene Aldana in a featured UFC 296 prelim on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. For Rosa, it represents the next step in her development.

“We always learn from losses,” she told Sherdog.com. “I did a lot of learning, professionally and personally. I ended up moving to the United States for one year and trained at the UFC Performance Institute. I learned more about my own body in regard to physical conditioning and nutrition. I carry those lessons with me. With every fight, I show improvements. I keep evolving and maturing. It’s a good thing.”

Rosa likes the familiarity she has with the 135-pound weight class.

“It’s a good thing to be going back to bantamweight,” she said. “I feel strong.”

In Aldana, Rosa confronts one of the Top 5 women’s bantamweights in the UFC. The Lobo Gym standout has won seven of her past 10 bouts but finds herself on the rebound following a five-round unanimous decision loss to Amanda Nunes in a failed bid to capture the undisputed 135-pound championship at UFC 289 on June 10. Rosa expects the Culiacan, Mexico, native to be at her best.

“I’m sure I’ll have a great fight against Aldana,” she said. “I’m ready to go all three rounds. I know she’s tough, but so am I. I’m ready for a war. I know we’ll have one. We both enjoy striking, so I expect we’ll keep it on the feet. With a win over Aldana, it will finally be time for me to fight for the belt. I’ve been fighting girls who already had their shot. I feel there’s a good chance I can be next. That’s my goal.”

Rosa owns a 6-2 record in the UFC, her wins over Lara Procopio, Vanessa Melo, Joselyne Edwards, Bethe Correia, Lina Lansberg and Yana Santos offset by losses to Sara McMann and Norma Dumont. All eight of her bouts inside the Octagon have gone the distance. Rosa views her forthcoming battle with Aldana as a potential springboard, especially with Nunes’ retirement having created a noticeable void atop the women’s bantamweight division.

“My objective is to beat Aldana and fight for the belt next,” she said. “I feel there’s a good chance of that happening. I’m ready for that. My focus for now is on Aldana. I very much want to be the next challenger. I’m working to make that happen, to be the next champion.”