Jasmine Jasudavicius faced adversity in the lead-up to her UFC 297 bout against Priscila Cachoeira when her opponent missed weight significantly. Despite the challenges, Jasudavicius displayed determination, ultimately delivering a dominating performance inside the octagon. The emotional toll of sacrificing holiday celebrations and the added weight-cut drama fueled Jasudavicius to channel her frustrations into a remarkable display during the fight.
Weight Miss Drama
Priscila Cachoeira’s failure to make weight threw a curveball at Jasudavicius, jeopardizing her dream hometown fight in Toronto. The initial proposal of a 130-pound catchweight escalated to a 135-pound bantamweight bout due to concerns about the commission’s intervention if Cachoeira couldn’t make the higher catchweight. Despite frustration and fury, Jasudavicius remained determined to fight, weighing in at 133 pounds.
Emotional Fuel and Empathy
Jasudavicius, known for her aversion to inflicting pain, found it challenging to shut off empathy during fight week. However, the weight miss, coupled with the sacrifices made over the holidays, fueled her with emotional intensity. The sacrifice of festive treats and family celebrations became the metaphorical fuel for her performance, transforming the emotional burden into a powerful force.
Dominant Performance and Empathy Turned Off
Once inside the octagon, Jasudavicius displayed a dominant performance, landing 326 strikes to Cachoeira’s 26 by the time the fight was called off in the third round. Despite initial reservations about inflicting pain, the weight miss and sacrifices made during the camp enabled Jasudavicius to temporarily turn off her empathy. The fighter mindset prevailed as she viewed Cachoeira as the enemy, allowing her to focus on the task at hand.
Jasudavicius reflected on the toll the entire experience took on her, expressing exhaustion on emotional, physical, and mental levels even after the fight. The victory marked her fourth win in six UFC outings, solidifying her resilience and adaptability in the face of unexpected challenges.