Issue 170

September 2018

The much-traveled Canadian fighter, Valerie Letourneau presses her claims for a shot.

Your opponent, Bruna Ellen, pulled out of the fight and now you are set to face Kristina Williams. What are your thoughts on the last change in opponent?

That was a good change for me I think it is a better opponent for me. I don’t think it is an easier opponent, that’s not what I mean. It’s just, style, wise, a better fight for me. It’s a more motivating fight for me.

How do you envision the fight playing out with Kristina now being the opponent?

It will probably be all stand up. We both like to strike. I don’t think anybody is going to take me o my game. I don’t think it will go three rounds, either. For sure, it will be an exciting fight.

What are your takeaways from fighting for Bellator for the first time and the win over Kate Jackson?

I love to fight for Bellator. It was a crazy trip. So many things happened to us when we ew there. We have so many funny memories. We are glad we got the win. I was really nervous before the fight, not having fought for over a year. Once I took the fight with Bellator I think a lot of people had high expectations for me. I wanted to look good but I also had a lot of respect for Kate Jackson. Even though she wasn’t the biggest name I knew she was going to be a tough opponent. I had to be careful in this fight and get the win.

In your career for 15 fights you have fought for nine different organizations. What are the positives and negatives of fighting for so many different companies?

I’ve fought for nine organizations? Wow, I didn’t even realize that! That surprises me right now. I have been really lucky with all of the organizations I’ve fought for. I fought for TKO in my second pro fight. TKO is a huge organization in Canada. It is the most known. I fought in the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada. That is the same venue that the UFC hosts events. It is a huge place. Can you imagine? I cannot complain about any of the promotions I fought for. Of course, the UFC is on a whole different level. 

Bellator is pushing Women’s MMA forward in a big way. How does it feel to be a huge part of that push?

I love this and this has always been a big motivation in my career-to make women be known in the sport and to open doors for them. We want to make exciting women fights, fights that fans want to see. I think it’s great they are opening doors like this for us.

Is a title shot all that’s on your mind with a win at Bellator 201?

Of course! I’m not the one who makes that decision but that is what I’m looking for. I know my fight against Jackson was not the most exciting but style-wise you have to do what you have to do to get the win. It’s not always going to be the most exciting fight. I am really hoping that after this fight I am going to get the shot.

Can you put into words what it would mean to have Bellator gold wrapped around your waist?

I think about it every day. I train with Hector Lombard who has multiple belts and they are in my face every day. I want to have mine right there! I will say ‘Look at this! I have mine now!’ (laughs). I have been working so long and so hard that I need this. This is going to be peace of mind. This is going to be for myself. That would be a big relief for me to get this belt.

You train at the world-famous American Top Team. What is the funniest story about the team that you can share?

We have stories every day. My main coach is Mike Brown. All of the toughest girls in the gym started calling ourselves ‘Brownie’s Angels’. I think that is pretty cute and pretty funny. We are a good team. We have a lot of fun together. The girls are pretty tight and support each other. Of course, every gym has its own little drama and they may not all love each other but in general we have a really tight team of girls.