Jillian DeCoursey Focusing Inward Ahead of Invicta FC 49

Building a better “Lionheart”

“Lionheart” Jillian DeCoursey is about to have one of the most challenging tests of her career on September 28. She will be facing the Atomweight Champion, Jessica Delboni at Invicta FC 49, a title fight seemingly set after her knockout over Lindsey VanZant at Invicta FC 47 this past July. DeCoursey’s a lot of fun on social media, but come fight time she switches her focus.

When asked if the title shot was a given after the way she won her last fight, DeCoursey said, “I mean, I kind of had a feeling like you know that it was gonna be happening but it took a little bit to get the actual like official like, ‘Hey, yeah. You’re gonna get this.’”

One thing that came up a lot after that win that led her to this point was her mindset. She mentioned a lot of books she read in preparation for that fight and credited one in particular called “Predator Mindset: Win in Sports and Life” by Gene Zannetti. It helped her get to where she needed to be before that fight and she’s already started the process of getting that mindset again, earlier this time because she has to get ready to face a champion.

Anyone that follows DeCoursey knows she watches just as many fights as the average MMA fan and while she does enjoy the sport as a fan, she’s also downloading information to add to her own toolbox for her fights. Of course, she’s seen a lot of Delboni’s fights, but when asked what she takes from watching the fights of her opponents does for her, DeCoursey gave a very cerebral answer.

Said DeCoursey, “What I started doing, especially with my last fight is, you know, obviously you need to have knowledge of your opponent. You need to know what their strengths are, what their weaknesses are, but really not focusing so much on like, what they’re going to do and worrying about their side of it and just focusing on building my strengths and closing my own weaknesses. Because, if I focus too much on them I’m taking away from me.”

September 28 is right around the corner and the location of Invicta FC 49 is still to be determined along with the rest of the fight card but announcements should be coming soon. Check out the full interview above and check back with MyMMANews for more news on the event.

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Edward Carbajal
Edward holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Bachelor's degree in Communications. Along with over 30 years of martial arts experience, he co-hosts The Coast-2-Coast Combat Hour podcast, and also writes for Spectation Sports. You can follow him on Twitter @Carbazel