Valerie Loureda responds to criticism that she markets herself on social media for male fans ahead of her return to MMA at Bellator 243.
There is a very real debate among the MMA community regarding the female fighters and how they choose to carry themselves. While Rose Namajunas cut her hair off saying “It’s a fight not a beauty pageant”, Miesha Tate on the other hand, believed there was nothing wrong with her playing into her feminine side.
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22-year old Valerie Loureda has sparked a similar debate with her posts on social media. The Bellator star has been criticised by fans and fellow competitors for the manner in which she markets herself. She has been accused of acting a certain way to bring in male fans.
Loureda, who is making a return to MMA after more than a year, chose to clear the air at the Bellator 243 virtual media day.
Valerie Loureda responds to criticism that she markets herself on social media for male fans
“I don’t do anything for social media,” Loureda told reporters at the Bellator 243 virtual media day. “I do things for myself. For example, I am an extreme girly-girl outside of the cage. So the way that I market myself, it’s not for social media and it’s not for men. This is the way that I look. I’ve worked my whole life to have this body, to have this figure—I was a ballerina, I’ve been a martial artist.
“I think that’s where people mistake. It’s not for social media. I am the way that I look like, but I’m also a fighter. What does one thing have to do with the other? Just because I look different than other martial artists doesn’t make me any different. It’s my identity, this is why Valerie Loureda is different.”
It’s going to be easy for me!
Loureda has been away from MMA for more than a year due to injury, an appearance on the reality television show “Exatlon,” and the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. However, she believes that she believes that her match against Tara Graff will be easy for her.
“I think we’re both very aggressive and I think I’m going to be crazy – and when I’m crazy, I hit hard” Loureda told MMA Junkie. “I just think I’m going to stop her in a way she’s not going to expect. She really just comes forward and doesn’t move her head, and it’s going to be easy for me.”
Many would think that her time away would make her rusty. Loureda however, believes that she has improved instead.
“This Valerie Loureda is mentally a lot stronger,” Loureda said. “This Valerie Loureda that’s getting in the cage is completely different and is going to be more well-rounded in MMA, not just striking. I want to show all the talents I have in MMA, and I’m just going to show I’m not just an Instagram girl and I’m going to go out there and kick any girl’s ass.”
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