Outside Source
Even as a child, Ilara Joanne knew fighting would be her destiny, despite not knowing the sacrifices that laid ahead. While preparing for her clash against former Legacy Fighting Alliance champion Shannon Clark, “Arya Stark” fondly looks back at the events that brought her to this point.
“I left the interior of the Brazilian state of Ceara. I’m from the back country,” she shared with Sherdog in her native Portuguese.
“When I arrived at the state capital, Fortaleza, I found a place to train. I started training in capoeira, kickboxing and jiu-jitsu. By the time I was 19, I had my pro debut. It’s when I decided this is how I’d be spending the rest of my life. As soon as I stepped off the cage, I told my coach that this is the life I wanted for me.”
Ilara Joanne’s road from rural Brazil to PFL San Diego
Things haven’t been easy, but she feels it’s all been worth it.
“From my Bellator debut in 2019 until now, I had to overcome multiple obstacles. I worked as a security guard. I worked at a pizzeria. I cleaned bathrooms. Twice, I got free lodging where I was training. Those things fed my dream. I never doubted I’d one day be rewarded for my hard work and dedication. This journey has brought me to places I’d never imagined. I fought in Japan. I never thought I’d find myself in Japan one day!”
Top notch featherweights headline PFL San Diego: Tune in Saturday, June 27 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN 2.
Joanne faces Clark at PFL San Diego on June 27. Despite putting on gritty performances in both Bellator and the Professional Fighters League, it’s been hard to go on a winning streak. She hopes a new training approach may turn things around.
“I got ready at my home team in Brazil – Pitbull Brothers. I’m dedicating myself to training like never before. I want more wins and more fights in the organization. I’m betting on my grappling. I’m putting in the effort to reawaken my love for jiu-jitsu. I love jiu-jitsu but I feel it’s gone somewhat by the wayside in my MMA bouts. I worked on my grappling so I can do what I enjoy. I worked primarily with coach Valdines Silva. The whole team pitched in, including head coaches Patricio Freire and Patricky Freire. We all collaborated on my strategy, so we’ll have the best possible outcome on fight night.”
Joanne respects her opponent but sees areas that can be exploited.
“I’ve been studying Shannon. No one should be underestimated. She’s coming off defending her LFA championship belt. Her strongest attributes are her willpower and physical strength. I believe that my key advantages are my experience and technical level. I’m looking forward to things playing out as well as possible.”
Joanne not just fighting Clark; she’s fighting for the career built the hard way.
Ultimately, it is Joanne’s wish to impart some hard-earned wisdom with those who may embark on the same adventure.
“The lesson for anyone who’s getting started today is this: you only lose if you give up. The important thing is to overcome all obstacles and to never give up. Eventually, hard work is rewarded. That’s what happened to me and I’m very thankful to God for it. I’m also thankful to my team, to my managers, and to the promotion.”
This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com
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