Marion Reneau has an idea for UFC matchmakers after beating Sara McMann at UFC on FOX 28

ORLANDO, Fla. – Following a submission win at UFC on FOX 28, Marion Reneau compared herself to a “fine wine,” in that she gets better with age. It’s hard to argue, because the 40-year-old had just registered her most significant career win.

Reneau (9-3-1 MMA, 5-2-1 UFC) scored a second-round submission of Sara McMann (11-5 MMA, 5-5 UFC) on Saturday courtesy of a triangle choke from bottom. The technique is becoming increasingly less common in MMA, but “The Belizean Bruiser” was able to use it to end the bantamweight bout, which took place at Amway Center in Orland, Fla., and aired on FOX following early prelims on UFC Fight Pass.

Given her age and the perceived talent level of her opponent, Reneau said she understands why she was the underdog against McMann. She even had some moments of self-doubt but said the result affirmed what she’s being doing is right.

“This was a big fight, and I had been asked for a top-10 opponent because I needed to prove to myself and everybody else that I deserve to be there, that I’ve earned my spot in the top 10,” Reneau told MMAjunkie after her win. “Not just, ‘Oh, they’re moving to the 125-pound division, so you’re in the top 10 (by default).’ I had to prove it to not only everybody else, but myself. And it was just kind of like, ‘See, I told you I can do it, I told you I can hang with them.’

“It doesn’t matter my age. It doesn’t matter what I do for a living. I still have time to accomplish what I set out to accomplish.”

MMA is a diverse sport in which some athletes bloom later than others. Reneau, who is also a physical education teacher along with her career as an MMA fighter, only began training seriously at 29, she said. The lack of wear-and-tear that comes from a lifetime of martial arts training doesn’t impact Reneau, and she said she’s just not getting into her “prime.”

Although the first round of the bout with McMann did not go in Reneau’s favor at all, she managed to remain composed and find her way to the break. At that point, her coaching staff encouraged her to open up with her offense, and when she did, the results were instant.

Reneau hurt McMann with a big punch before the action spilled back to the ground. It was there Reneau locked in the fight-ending submission technique, which she admits is one of her favorite.

“I love triangles,” Reneau said. “I like every submission that chokes people, because people need to breathe. You can let an arm pop, a leg pop or ankles pop, and they’ll even let their knees pop. But everybody has to breathe, and you can’t not let yourself breathe.”

Reneau’s victory pushed her unbeaten streak to four fights at 135 pounds. She believes the division will have to take notice after beating McMann, and expects her dark horse status to be no more. Like most others, Reneau”s ultimate goal is to hold the UFC title. She believes she’s in striking distance, but whether that means a title shot, a No. 1 contender bout or something else, remains to be seen.

“I know Cat (Zingano) is facing (Ketlen) Vieira. I’d like to face the winner of those two, or possibly fight the winner of Raquel (Pennington) and Amanda (Nunes). So, I’m setting it up for matchmakers. It’s that simple. Let’s get rolling.”

For complete coverage of UFC on FOX 28, check out the UFC Events section of the site.