Vanesa Rico ready to settle rivalry with Kyra Batara at ‘Combate Clasico’ in Miami
Atomweight contender Kyra Batara was all set to throw down with Vanesa Rico at the “Combate 11” mixed martial arts (MMA) event this past February before she missed weight.
By a lot, according to Combate Americas CEO Campbell McLaren.
And while the Batara camp was down for a catchweight bout, Team Rico was not, and the fight was ultimately scratched, as the promotion felt letting Batara compete in a weakened stated was not the best thing to do.
Now, the two combatants are set to finally get it on later tonight (Thurs., July 27, 2017) at the “Combate Clasico” event in Miami, Florida. And if the two fearsome scrappers didn’t like each other before, the heat has only intensified after Batara’s scale fail.
“To be honest, the one who got upset in Los Angeles was me. And not just because she didn’t make weight, but because she didn’t try to to make weight. Like, at all,” Rico said.
“I understand it happens to some fighters, it hasn’t happened to me because I always try to be responsible, but I do understand there are circumstances. But when I see that you don’t step on the scale and won’t get in a sauna because you get cramps, etc, that’s different.”
To hear Rico describe their rivalry, it all began after Batara — an Eddie Bravo pupil — started bashing her on social media, belittling her talents when compared to hers.
“Our battles started before Los Angeles, because she didn’t feel I was a strong enough opponent for her, so the social media attacks from her started way before the weight issues.”
As for her reasons to not accept a catchweight fight, Rico says it was never proven that Batara was only two pounds over the limit, as she never saw her weigh in. Plus, she didn’t want to give in to someone’s requests when they aren’t even making the effort to shed the weight.
“She says she was only two pounds over, but I didn’t see her on the scale. She says she weighed 108, neither me or my team saw her on the official scale or any other scale,” said Rico.
“And I will be honest with you, had it been anyone else, I would have fought them at 108 pounds or even 110. But, I won’t fight someone not even at 107 pounds if you’re not even trying to lose the weight. To let Kyra fight at whatever weight she wants, I don’t think so.”
But, that’s all in the past now, as Batara and Fernandez will finally settle their beef inside “The Jaula” in just two days.
The “Combate Clasico” live MMA event is just part of a week-long extravaganza that begins with a n intriguing soccer clubs Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain at Hard Rock Stadium on July 26 as well as other interactive events.
It will culminate on Saturday July 29 as Barclona FC and Real Madrid go at it on the pitch for the traditional “El Clasico” matchup between two of the best soccer clubs in the world.
The event will air live in the U.S. on Azteca America at 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. CT. It will also air the following night, Friday, July 28 on TV Azteca in Mexico. Furthermore, Combate Americas recently inked a deal with ESPN, and the upcoming “Combate Clasico” event can now bee seen on ESPN 3.
