Luana Carolina and the Anytime, Anywhere Creed

Supposed home-field advantages carry little weight with Luana Carolina.

The battle-tested Brazilian will travel into enemy territory when she confronts former Cage Warriors Fighting Championship titleholder Molly McCann in a three-round UFC Fight Night 204 women’s flyweight showcase on Saturday at the O2 Arena in London. McCann, a Liverpool, England, native, figures to command the vast majority of crowd support.

“I prefer to win, regardless of where the fight is,” Carolina told Sherdog.com. “It can be at her house, mine or on neutral ground. I just want to win.”

McCann owns a 4-3 record across her seven appearances on the Ultimate Fighting Championship roster. The Next Generation MMA rep last competed at UFC Fight Night 191, where she laid claim to a unanimous decision over Ji Yeon Kim on Sept. 4. “Meatball” has Carolina’s undivided attention.

“I had already been watching her fights,” she said. “I’d been following her career for a while. That’s mainly because she’s fought several Brazilian women. That’s why I had my eye on her. She’s a very tough and aggressive fighter, but that’s no different than any of the girls I’ve faced so far. So off we go to another one.”

Carolina spent her preparation time at the Capital da Luta academy in Sao Paulo, Brazil. There, she worked on polishing her skills and shoring up her deficiencies with head coach Lucas Martins, Teo Bittar, Fernando Santos, Lucas Aniceto and Ale Semi.

“For every bout,” Carolina said, “I prepare to show up as a different fighter. I always look to evolve a little in all areas.”

The 28-year-old has momentum on her side, as she enters the cage on the strength of back-to-back victories. Carolina last appeared on Oct. 16, when she was awarded a unanimous verdict over Lupita Godinez at UFC Fight Night 195. Another victory would push her even higher on the 125-pound ladder.

“I want to face someone in the Top 15, yes, but I don’t have anyone in mind yet,” Carolina said. “My goal is to grow in the division, to grow in the UFC and to evolve as a fighter.”