Kyra Batara expects ‘all-out war’ against Paulina Granados at Combate 19

The late George Carlin, during one of his classic stand-up comedy specials, delivered a hot take -- or whatever the kids are calling it these days — on “The Lone Star State.”

“You know the good part about all those executions in Texas? Fewer Texans!

That’s not unlike the bloody wars mixed martial arts (MMA) fans have been privy to under the Combate Americas banner, especially when atomweight smashing machine Paulina Granados takes the center of “La Jaula.”

That’s because a win for “Firefox” — who earned that moniker for being equal parts fire and foxy — means one less combatant to keep her from a division title in one of the most competitive weight classes in all of women’s MMA.

Granados collides with grappling ace Kyra Batara in the main event of Combate 19: “Queen Warriors,” taking pace tonight (Fri., Dec. 1, 2017) on Telemundo inside San Antonio’s Freeman Coliseum.

The action started long before fight night, thanks to a bitter back-and-forth war of words on social media. In addition, Batara failed to make the 105-pound mark at Thursday’s weigh-in event.

“I think we both have a lot of hard feelings towards each other,” Batara said. “Me not making weight just added a little extra fuel to her fire. Tonight will be an all-out war.”

Despite their onstage kerfuffle, Granados appeared unfazed.

“It doesn't bother me because I've been fighting people bigger than me my entire career,” she said. “As a professional, we all know what our contracted weight should be. I would like to see all commissions across the U.S. follow suit with Texas and start raising the fines for not making weight. 10-20 percent is not enough.”

Granados reportedly took 40-percent of her opponent’s purse.

The winner is expected to move on to fight Mexican smashing machine Lisbeth Lopez Silva in the promotion’s Pan-Regional championship bout next February, though Batara’s scale fail may deny her that opportunity.

Not that she needs any additional motivation to fight.

“Paulina not only disrespected me, she disrespected my family,” Batara said. “I’m not going to go down to her level and try to make a name for myself on Facebook. That’s what the cage is for, that’s when I’ll do my talking.”

Thanks to a broken orbital bone, Granados (4-2) hasn’t competed since her thrilling, unanimous decision win over Jenna Serio at Combate: “Empire Rising” in October 2016. Batara (6-4), meanwhile, is fresh off her submission win over Vanesa Rico last July in Miami.

Expect fireworks.

To see who else is fighting at the Combate 19 event on Telemundo click here.