Auttumn Norton predicts Emily Martins will be desperate for a takedown at CFFC 132: 'She better hope she gets it'
Norton, Martins face off for vacant women's bantamweight title live on UFC FIGHT PASS.
As Auttumn Norton prepares to step into the CFFC cage for the first time, she's well aware of the hype surrounding her 20-year-old opponent, Emily Martins. While Norton certainly isn't dismissive of the skills Martins brings to the table, she's also not exactly buying into everything that's being said ahead of the matchup.
"She's just another opponent," Norton said. "I definitely don't think she's going to want to stand with me."
Norton (3-2) and Martins (2-0) meet in the co-main event of CFFC 132, which streams live on UFC FIGHT PASS from Philadelphia's 2300 Arena on Friday, June 14, with the vacant CFFC women's bantamweight title on the line. It's a massive opportunity for Martins in her promotional debut, but the four-time Invicta FC veteran isn't letting the moment get too big.
"It's just another fight," Norton said. "We all have one goal in mind – that's get to the UFC. I don't know. It's just another fight. I don't really think of it any differently. Just another opponent, another fight, another opportunity. I'm excited."
CFFC titles are traditionally a great way to get the attention of UFC matchmakers, but much of the hype leading into this title fight has centered on Martins, who was recently awarded her Brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt and has secured submission victories in each of her first two professional fights. "Galega" is a four-time IBJJF world champion in the lower belt divisions, but Norton doesn't think that makes her untouchable in MMA.
"I think she's going to be kind of desperate to get the takedown," Norton said. "I have very good wrestling, so I'm very confident in my ground game. I'm a purple belt. I'm really experienced in grappling, as well. I think she's just longer. You know, watch out for the takedown and whatever."
Despite her opponent's strengths, Norton said she didn't make too many adjustments in her prep with MMA Gold and Underground Lab heading into CFFC 132. Rolling with high-level grapplers is simply a part of her daily regimen.
"There's a lot of good grapplers at my gym," Norton said. "Aspen (Ladd) is a black belt. My roommate and friend Kelly (McKay), she's a very decorated brown belt. We get plenty of work in.
"I have a strong wrestling base, and I've been getting a lot of really good work with some wrestlers out here, so I think my wrestling versus her jiu-jitsu will be just fine."
Should Norton's predictions hold true, a standup battle would likely play out in her favor. That's precisely what "The Natural" is expecting to see, and she thinks it doesn't bode very well for Martins.
"I think my standup is just going to be a little bit too much for her," Norton said. "I think my timing is going to be better, and she's going to kind of feel my power, and she's going to be very desperate for the takedown. She better hope she gets it."
"I like to put on a show. I like to have fun in there. When I am in there having fun and dancing and grooving, and it's just – I'm so dangerous when I'm having fun in there. ... When I'm like, I don't know, dancing, just being crazy, that's when you know I'm on, so I expect to see that."
It's not exactly an old-school striker vs. grappler affair, but Norton thinks the styles do ultimately favor her in the matchup. Deal with Martins' vaunted grappling game and lead the dance in the striking, and Norton thinks she'll be walking away a champion following CFFC 132.
"I like to stand in general," Norton said. "Really, it's just more fun for me, and when I'm out there, like, doing my thing and have fun, that's when I'm the most dangerous."
