Could we see another UFC contract get sent northward for the second consecutive week?
When Dana White's Contender Series (DWCS) airs this week, yet another Canadian prospect is on the verge of earning a place among MMA's elite as St. Catharines, Ont., native Jasmine Jasudavicius (5-1) takes on Julia Polastri (8-2) in the women's flyweight division on Tuesday evening.
At 32 years old, this represents the most significant chance Jasudavicius has encountered in her professional career—and it brings with it heightened expectations.
But avoiding a decision at the hands of the judges isn't unfamiliar territory for the Niagara Top Team athlete, who plans to press forward in the cage and deliver a statement performance.
"Sure, there's extra pressure, but it doesn't really affect me because I'm always hunting for finishes no matter where I step into the cage," Jasudavicius told MMA Empire during a recent conversation.
"The real pressure comes from fighting in front of Dana, not from seeking the finish. I'm always looking to end fights, and this is the biggest opportunity of my career, so naturally I want to prove myself. That's just my nature. My fighting style reflects who I am as a person."
That said, Jasudavicius isn't taking her opponent lightly as she prepares for this showdown, though she believes her physical edge will play a crucial role.
Jasudavicius remains unbeaten at flyweight, the division closest to her natural build. Polastri, on the other hand, has competed primarily at strawweight, having gone even lower to atomweight during the early stages of her career.
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"She's clearly a highly skilled competitor. She wouldn't have gotten this shot if she wasn't," Jasudavicius noted.
"She's definitely dangerous, but I believe the size discrepancy is going to swing things in my favor. She fought at 105 pounds before, so she's already quite compact. I hit 115 once, but it wasn't comfortable. I think the size gap will be a major factor here."
Even though Jasudavicius typically holds advantages in both height and reach during her bouts, she's not the type to circle from the outside and rack up points.
Favored for her precise striking and effective clinch-based takedowns, Jasudavicius prefers to be the aggressor, pushing forward and dictating pace for the entire contest.
"My grappling is solid, and I'm willing to engage in any kind of brawl," Jasudavicius explained.
"I don't depend on being flashy—slapping, circling, and retreating. I'm prepared to step in and make it gritty, and that's what sets me apart. Every opponent changes from bout to bout, so I concentrate on my own game. Overthinking what someone else might do only clouds my judgment. I focus exclusively on what I can control: myself."
After a commanding unanimous decision over Ashley Deen at CFFC 93 in March, Jasudavicius wants to elevate her performance to the next tier.
In the weeks leading up to the fight, she's honed her craft alongside the UFC's training hub in Las Vegas, sparring with elite-caliber partners.
"I'm at Syndicate MMA; I've been training alongside all the female fighters and it's been incredible," Jasudavicius shared.
"Every camp and every fight teaches you something, so my greatest improvement lately is my mental maturity. I've had plenty of chances to travel and train, and that's played a huge role in my development."
Tuesday evening, broadcast live on TSN nationwide, Jasudavicius will have her moment to lock in a UFC roster spot.
Backed by her hometown of "The Garden City" and the rest of Canada, she's determined to win over Dana White and UFC supporters globally.
"I love Canada and I love my home, so representing them would mean everything to me. I come from a small town, St. Catharines, and I want to put it on the map," Jasudavicius said.
"I expect my hand to go up at the end because I'm going to finish her. This is the Contender Series, so the game plan is simple: get a finish."
Jasudavicius' Shoutouts
"Friends and family, all my coaches!" Follow Jasudavicius on social media: FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM
