Karla Benitez Hexagone MMA 8 interview

"I've fought three UFC champions"

On 4 August, France’s original bullfighting arena, the Arènes De Béziers, HEXAGONE MMA 8 will be presenting the highly anticipated women’s strawweight match-up between Karla Benitez (19-16-1, Venezuela) and Stephanie Ielo Page (7-4-0, France), broadcast internationally on DAZN.

Both fighters will be looking to redeem themselves from recent losses. Benitez was defeated by former champion Laetitia Blot at HEXAGONE MMA 6, following a prior win over Lucie Bertaud at HEXAGONE MMA 3. Based in Spain, the Venezuelan brings long international experience from across shows that include Hombres de Honour, Bellator and Super Fight League. Of her recorded finishes, 63% have been obtained by strikes. Meanwhile, 34-year-old, Bellator veteran Stephanie Ielo Page lost to Eva Dourthe (France) by Unanimous Decision at HEXAGONE MMA 6. Before converting to MMA, Page attained success with five world championships in Thai boxing and four world titles in K1.

An experienced athlete, Karla Benitez has cumulated 40 professional MMA fights. But outside the cage, the Venezuelan is also a committed in her other roles, never failing to put her martial arts experience to the service of others.

When asked about her age, Karla Benitez answers with pride: "I am 44 years old, but I am as fit as a 20 year old". A glance at her record of achievements is enough to show that the Venezuelan has crossed generations in facing the best fighters in her category. "Out of 38 fights, I have had three against UFC champions. I don't know if there are many of us who have experienced that!" Germaine de Randamie, Joanna Jedrzejczyk, Weili Zhang... Throughout her career, Karla Benitez has not necessarily chosen the easiest path, but has always stuck to one principle, which she identifies as the secret of her enduring youth: "will". "I fight, I am hungry, I make sacrifices! Since Venezuela is not very developed in terms of MMA, I spend the other half of my time in Spain to train. That's where my husband and daughter live."

"Being a mother and fighter is really not so complicated!”

While she dedicates a large part of her days to martial arts, Karla Benitez has not abandoned her other responsibilities. "Being a mother and a fighter is really not so complicated! My daughter also trains in MMA and she always travels with me when I go abroad. Besides that, as my coach was absent for my last fight, it was my daughter who was in my corner!"

After becoming a mother, Benitez entered a heavy working period: For almost twenty years now she has worked to support female victims of domestic violence, "a big problem in Spain".

"With my experience in combat sports, I also teach self defense in an association. It's important to get involved in causes that matter to us."

Benitez is truly a role model both in and out of the cage.