Among the four world title MMA fights up for grabs in Vancouver, Jamey-Lyn Horth will be stepping into the ring for a yet-to-be claimed title.
The Squamish fighter signed to Montreal-based TKO MMA last spring, but will be returning to her roots with the upcoming BFL 65. Hosted by Battlefield Fight League (BFL), her fight will be BFL's first women's world title fight.
Horth previously fought for BFL, where she began both her amateur and pro career, but was released from her contract last year when the league struggled to find competitors in her category. After one fight with TKO, she faced the same challenges. When the company didn't have any events coming up, Horth's agent got back in touch with BFL.
"It's nice to be closer to home, spending time with my family, and just being close to home turf," she said. "I like to keep things local and I like to have personal relationships with the people who work so closely with me."
Horth is ranked number one among Western Canadian women pound-for-pound, and ranked second pound-for-pound among active Canadian women fighters.
Horth will face off with Jade Masson-Wong for gold — the winner will become the inaugural BFL women's world champ.
"We treat pretty much every fight the same way," she said of the chance to become the first to earn the new title. "Obviously, the objective is to win, but I feel really great about this one. I'm back at home, which is nice, and I have a great team that I've been working with since September."
With a new striking coach and a strength and conditioning coach in her corner, Horth said she's been working hard on fine-tuning her length and distance as a striker.
As her competitor is shorter than she is, Horth said Masson-Wong will want to get in tight and box. Horth will keep her at a distance, all the way out or all the way in, drawing Masson-Wong into her range.
Masson-Wong is a 27-year-old fighter from Quebec, with a pro-MMA record of 3-1. Meanwhile, 29-year-old Horth is undefeated with a record of 3-0, according to tapology.com.
The fight will be on Feb. 8 at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
