Maryland MMA standout Roya Darvishian said in an exclusive online interview on Jan. 11 with Long Island MMA Examiner Eric Holden that she is excited for her upcoming fight in Pennsylvania against Jen Lopez.
Darvishian squares off against the 22-year-old Lopez on Feb. 16.
Darvishian hopes to make a statement against Lopez, as a convincing victory over an undefeated challenger like Lopez would instantly put her in contention for a potential shot with a top-flight MMA promotion like Invicta FC. "I'm here, I'm training hard and I'm coming," Darvishian said.
Darvishian, 20, is one of the most exciting young, up-and-coming strawweights on the east coast, but it has been a struggle for her to find opponents in her weight class.
Darvishian recently stepped up on short notice to accept a fight against Jen Aniano, but it fell through due to unforeseen circumstances.
"It is so hard to find a fight at 105 pounds," Darvishian said. "I am always having to fight 115 and I haven't fought in almost a year so I was pretty excited about fighting in my own weight class."
Aniano was slated to fight Sarah Goodlaxson at the Jan. 19 TWC: Meanstreak event slated for Lansing, Michigan, but Aniano was left without an opponent when Goodlaxson withdrew from the fight.
Darvishian stepped up to the challenge, offering to drive eight hours from Maryland to Michigan to duke it out with Aniano.
Aniano opted to not accept the fight against Darvishian, citing the short two-week notice as a reason for declining the offer.
"Of course I think she should of taken the fight," Darvishian said of Aniano. "She spent time in a training camp preparing for a fight she should of been ready. When I asked she said she would not take the fight on short notice, but it wouldn't it really be me taking the fight on short notice?"
Darvishian says it was nothing personal against Aniano. She just wanted to step back into the cage after going close to a year without fighting.
"All I wanted to do was fight," Darvishian said. "I dont know anything about the personal problems between Goodlaxson and Aniano. I don't really care its not my business. All I wanted to do was fight."
Despite the fight against Aniano falling through, Darvishian plans to keep moving forward by making a name for herself in the 105-pound ranks.
"I expect to go pro," Darvishian said. "I'm going to fight whoever they put in front of me."
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