Not 'young and beautiful' enough? Felice Herrig opens up after emotional UFC-OKC win

OKLAHOMA CITY – Felice Herrig turned pro nearly a decade ago. She’s fought for a host of major promotions. But as a 32-year-old, she wonders if some opportunities are now out of reach.

On Sunday’s UFC Fight Night 112 main card, Herrig (13-6 MMA, 4-1 UFC) picked up her third straight victory and moved to 4-1 on MMA’s biggest stage with a unanimous-decision victory over Justine Kish (6-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC).

It should have been a festive time for Herrig, but following the FS1-televised event at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Okla., her emotions were hard to hide, especially she spoke about what she perceives as a lack of opportunities.

“Honestly, if you want to know the truth, I just feel like I’m not young and beautiful for the UFC to want to promote me,” she said after the event. “It’s sad because I’ve really worked hard to be here. It’s hard to see these people who’ve not been through what I’ve been through and just got to the UFC at the right time, and they’re now getting all these opportunities.

“I’ve seen how hard I’ve worked to get here, and it just doesn’t matter because I just feel I’m not pretty enough, and I’m not getting any younger.”

Herrig, who previously competed for organizations such as Bellator and Invicta FC, defeated Kailin Curran and highly regarded Alexa Grasso in her previous two bouts. She’s currently No. 13 in the official UFC rankings (and could enter the top 15 in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA women’s strawweight rankings when they’re updated this week).

However, in the prize-fighting business, in-cage accomplishments alone don’t always result in career advancement.

“I just think that my performances are going to keep speaking volumes,” she said. “I think fans, the people and the media see and recognize I just beat two undefeated fighters, two really good undefeated fighters that were no joke. Alexa Grasso is no joke. Justine Kish is no joke. Anyone in this sport that’s not just a casual fan knows better. I don’t need a fancy trophy to tell me I’m good or to tell me what I’m made of I know.”

However, she clarified that her comments aren’t completely directed at UFC officials – but more as the business itself.

“I’m not trying to make this like a point finger at the UFC or Dana White or anybody,” Herrig said. “I know they have a business to run. … I’m not the only fighter who feels like this. … We put a lot out there as fighters, and I don’t know – I feel like I’ve paid my dues, and nobody can deny that.

“I’m a UFC fighter, and I’ve worked my way to the top, so I would like a little more love. That’s it.”

For complete coverage of UFC Fight Night 112, check out the UFC Events section of the site.

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