Jasmine Jasudavicius says loss brought maturity, now 'bring on the hype'
Win or learn, the old saying goes, but it's one that rang true for strawweight prospect Jasmine Jasudavicius.
A stellar CFFC debut, in which she obliterated her opponent in just 97 seconds, brought a significant amount of attention to Jasudavicius, who looked like she might just be the next big thing at 115 pounds. However, she then came up short this past August in a bid for the CFFC strawweight title, losing a heartbreaking split decision to current champion Elise Reed.
Even now, Jasudavicius believes she was worthy of getting the nod that night. However, she's also grateful for the realities the loss forced her to observe.
"In all honesty, I thought I won the fight," Jasudavicius. "Even looking back now, I still think I won that fight, like watching it and stuff. But whatever. I'm not dwelling on that loss because it's made me a better fighter because of it. She recognized a hole in my game and kind of exploited that, so it's good now because that hole got filled."
Part of the change involved Jasudavicius recognizing the importance of letting fights develop. With back-to-back first-round finishes to her credit, the Canadian prospect realized that highlight-reel finishes are a quick way to gain notoriety. However, recognizing the opportunities as they are presented – and not trying to create finishes that don't exist – is a key skill to learn for any developing athlete.
"Honestly, it's kind of been funny because I think I lost that fight because I was trying to force it and overextending myself," Jasudavicius said. "I'm putting everything into it, and I'm trying too hard to find that finish, and I feel like I was kind of doing that in life, in general, too. It was so much 'push' and 'heart' and 'be tough' and stuff instead of understanding that there's a push-pull dynamic to everything. I thought I could just go in there with piss and vinegar, and it's like I realized that I have to show more respect to the sport of MMA because you can't just run through it. You have to play the game a little bit. So I think I've matured as a fighter."
Jasudavicius (4-1) returns to action at Friday's CFFC 93 event, which streams live on UFC FIGHT PASS from 2300 Arena in Philadelphia. She takes on promotional newcomer Ashley Deen (5-5), who brings a two-fight winning streak into the contest.
Jasudavicius says she didn't spend an extraordinary amount of time studying her opponent, especially in the current climate of today's world.
"I mostly let my coaches go gameplan and everything," Jasudavicius said. "I watched one of her fights, but honestly it was like from a year or two ago, and I feel like with this whole COVID thing, everything gets kind of switched up. We don't know what's going on with her gym and all that, so I expect her to be a completely different fighter.
"It's been a year or two or something like that since she's fought, so yeah, I'm excited to get in there and see what she has to offer."
And Jasudavicius is excited to show what she has to offer, as well. If Deen brings something completely new to the table, so be it, as Jasudavicius expects to do the same. While undefeated records are always a little eye-catching, Jasudavicius thinks the loss of her perfect career mark will actually pay even greater dividends.
"It's funny because I didn't really realize that all that pressure of being undefeated and after coming off the win before, there was a lot of hype around my name, and I guess I kind of felt the pressure, but I guess I felt it more than I really realized," Jasudavicius said. "I felt it because after I did lose – I mean, initially I was heartbroken and all that (expletive) – but once I got over that, then it was almost like it was a good thing, like 'I feel I can breathe again' kind of thing, you know?"
The great thing about MMA is that it's very much a "what have you done for me lately" kind of sport. Memories tend to be short, and victories erase an awful lot of frustration.
Jasudavicius plans on turning things right back around on Friday night, and after that, she welcomes the attention and expectations once more.
"Honestly, I feel like I've matured as a fighter, not only physically in my skill development, but the loss made me mature mentally, as well," Jasudavicius said. "I like the hype, and I like the pressure, and I think that now I'll be able to actually realize it and deal with it better. Bring on the hype. I like it, honestly."
