Roxanne Modafferi Discusses Her TUF 27 Bout Against Barb Honchak

Roxanne Modafferi recently spoke to reporters ahead of her fight with Barb Honchak at The Ultimate Fighter 27 Finale. Below are some highlights (h/t MMAjunkie) from the scrum.

Modafferi on Nicco Montano’s health problems: “I heard that Nicco had various health problems. I think she wrote some things about them on Instagram, but it wasn’t really public knowledge. So people were just like, ‘Where is she?’ As opposed to that being more explained. And then Shevchenko is doing what she’s supposed to do, trying to be vocal. And it’s show business, pretty much. That’s one part of it. But I think it’s kind of unfair to hang her up to dry like that. Because Nicco is not afraid of anybody. She wants to fight. All of us ‘TUF 26’ fighters have been waiting like seven months to fight, so I’m glad the fight is finally set. She deserves to take a little break and heal her injuries.”

Modafferi on getting another shot in the UFC: “I wanted to fight sooner, but, again, I’m very happy and grateful to be in the UFC at all. And I’m happy to have a contract. Whenever they want to give me a fight, it’s fine.”

Modafferi on staying positive: “I get really bummed out and depressed if I don’t have a plan of action, like, if I don’t know how to get better, I don’t know what I’m doing. But once I decide, like, ‘OK, I need to get stronger. So, therefore, I will execute this plan of conditioning.’ Or, ‘This sucks, so I need to get better,’ and I start training, and I make improvements in the gym. Then I can be excited about every day. I can wake up like, ‘I did this yesterday. And today I’m going to do this.’ I can feel really positive about my training. Now, for example, I feel great. I feel stronger. I feel more skilled, and it’s been a great journey.”

Modafferi on improving her game: “I sat down with my coaches and trainers and discussed what I needed to do. I needed to get stronger. I needed to better my wrestling, so I can get to the ground and jiu-jitsu her. That’s my goal. But, really, I want to win in any way I can. So I’ve been training nonstop these past seven months, and I’m really excited to show her and myself and everybody what I can do.”

On facing Honchak: “I’ve been wanting to rematch Barb for about seven years now. Ever since she beat me with the rear-naked choke. (She’s been on my radar) a long time. She was the Invicta champion, so she’s always been a goal of mine.”