Iasmin Lucindo: Beyond Her Years

Necessity was the mother of re-invention in Iasmin Lucindo ’s case.

“I got started in martial arts very early on,” she told Sherdog.com. “In truth, I went in for self-defense after witnessing domestic violence in my own family. After that, I found myself enjoying it very much.”

What started with kickboxing eventually led to a professional mixed martial arts debut at the age of 15, as Lucindo took care of Alline Khyra with third-round punches at a regional event in Brazil on May 10, 2017. “I kept at it,” she said. “I loved doing it. It’s where I found myself. It’s how it all started.” Lucindo fought 12 times—she went a respectable 8-4—before reaching adulthood, all while accruing invaluable experience.

“During the past six years in MMA, I’ve been put in all kinds of situations,” she said. “I’ve won by decision, submission and knockout. Even though I’m very young, I believe MMA greatly helped me mature. I’m not undefeated. My losses taught me a lot. They helped me mature as a professional and as a person.”

Now 21, the Fight House representative will make her second appearance in the Ultimate Fighting Championship when she squares off with Brogan Walker in a UFC Fight Night 222 women’s strawweight showcase on Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Lucindo came up short in her Octagon debut, losing a unanimous decision to Yazmin Jauregui under less-than-ideal circumstances in August.

“It was a big lesson,” she said. “She’s very tough and undefeated. She’s a Mexican fighter with strong striking ability. I didn’t have much time to get ready. It was less than a month. I had to drop weight classes. Many people don’t know this, but I used to fight at [125 pounds]. I was expecting to fight there but I also knew I could be called to fight at [115 pounds], and that’s what happened. I was a bit heavy. The hardest part was my weight cut. I had to drop [26.5 pounds] in less than a month.

“There were also other unexpected factors, like medical exams and getting organized for the fight,” Lucindo added. “On top of that, I had to train. I did like my performance against Yazmin. I was truly myself. I fought from the heart until the very end. I did everything I could. I learned that despite any problems, we can always give our best. I did that despite all the difficulties behind the scenes.”

Walker stands as her next test. A short-notice replacement for Melissa Martinez, the Guam-based California native was a finalist on Season 30 of “The Ultimate Fighter” reality series. Walker has lost three of her past four bouts after starting her career 6-0 but presents a unique set of challenges inside the cage.

“I had been getting ready for Melissa, who comes from a taekwondo and kickboxing background,” Lucindo said. “She moves a lot. Brogan is more of a jiu-jitsu fighter and doesn’t move as much when striking. They’re different, but my mindset and technique haven’t changed. My coaches keep telling me that it doesn’t matter who I’m facing. I’ll put on a show. Brogan is someone who likes to fight. I think she’ll want to strike at first, but then she’ll try to take me down. We’ll have a fast-paced fight. It’s what I like: a challenge. I’ll get my arm raised—by knockout, submission or decision.”

Lucindo does not mince words when asked about long-term goals. She has time on her side, along with an apparent desire to put in the work that will be required of her.

“My goal is to capture the UFC strawweight belt,” Lucindo said. “I know it won’t be easy. I have to forge my path and fight the best. I’m willing to pay the price. I’m willing to go through the process. At age 14, I would tell people that I would one day be in the UFC, and now, at 21, I’m here. At age 21, I can say I will be the champion. I don’ t know how long it will take, but mark my words, one day I will be the strawweight champion.”