Marion Reneau isn’t interested in waiting for opportunities to come around to her. Instead, “The Bruiser” is determined to make her own way to the top of the UFC women’s bantamweight division.
The scrappy Californian may be the newest face to garner attention in the growing world of the women’s 135-pound fold, but she’s not looking to slow down or let anything settle.
The 2015 calendar year is just north of two months old, and the 37-year-old submissions ace has already notched back-to-back victories, with those two wins coming just seven weeks apart.
Furthermore, both of her performances to date inside the Octagon have been buzz-worthy affairs that have elevated Reneau‘s status to a higher level and set her on a crash course with the elite tier of competitors in the women’s bantamweight division. The place where the biggest names in the division currently reside is precisely where she wants to be, and she’s willing to travel whatever path is necessary to get there.
“It feels good to get those wins, but honestly, my statement is far from being made,” Reneau told Bleacher Report. “I still want to get in and win a few more fights before I say I’m making a statement. I’m very hard on myself and I’m such a perfectionist at whatever I do that I tend to harp on the little things. Even though it was a great win and it feels surreal to live in this moment, I still have bigger dreams.
“I’m absolutely going to keep pushing forward. I believe I’ve put it out there in numerous places, but who do I have to fight to put me on track toward a championship fight? I know Ronda [Rousey] is still a few fights off, but I don’t care. Who do I have to fight to get that No. 1 spot? I’m willing to fight anyone in the top 10 to make that happen.”
Reneau is actively pursuing opportunities inside the cage, and what is perhaps the most compelling aspect of her approach is her understanding that one can directly affect his or her own destiny in the fight game. Where some of her peers are willing to sit on the sidelines and wait for matchmaker Sean Shelby to line things up, the Elite Team representative has let the UFC brass know that she is ready and willing to throw down at any turn.
There is no getting ready because she stays ready, and after pulling off the upset and getting the job done against a tough out in Jessica Andrade at Fight Night 61, there is little doubt her phone will be ringing again very soon.
“You can’t say no,” Reneau explained. “At this point, if you are saying no to fights, then they are already moving on and offering that fight to the next person. I’m willing to say yes to whoever, whenever…because I want to stay ready, and I want to work my way to the top. Honestly, I’m not 25 and I don’t have 10 more years to fight. I’m 37 and I’m not only smart in the way I train, but I’m also very confident in who I am and where I come from. I want to get to the top as soon as I can and as quickly as I can.
“I’ll fight anyone ranked above me, but why not go ahead and shoot for the ones on top? I’m not a matchmaker and I don’t know exactly what they have in store, but I do think they have a plan. And no matter what their plan is, I’m going to be ready.”
While her work in 2015 has already put Reneau in the express lane to bigger things in the women’s bantamweight collective, the success that has come has been a drastic turnaround for a fighter who the UFC initially turned away.
The gritty bantamweight failed to make the roster for The Ultimate Fighter due to UFC President Dana White deeming her too old for the show.
The promotion’s front man has since apologized for that decision, and although Reneau was admittedly shocked to hear his words, it ultimately boosted her respect for the UFC President.
That said, she has eyed every opportunity inside the Octagon as a chance to show and prove, and Reneau is determined to make 2015 the year she solidifies herself as a major player in her division.
“I’m excited,” Reneau said. “It’s one thing to say I’m a fighter, but it’s another to say you fight for the top organization in the game. I’m just going to take it one step at a time, keep myself humble and well-trained. Everything will happen in its due time and it has.
“With all my might, I’m hoping this is going to be that year for me. I’ve done a few of the things I’ve wanted to do already. I never expected to get two fights back-to-back and I’m hoping this will set up 2015 being that year for me.”
Duane Finley is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless noted otherwise.
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