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Blind Reacting to MMA Prospects Vol. 20
🕑 Added 2025-01-21 01:32:56 +0000 UTCI wanted to go fully in the blind, watching someone I've never heard of. For in upcoming article I'm working on I stumbled across Lina Narvaez as I was scouting fighters from Colombia.
Welterweight, Lina "La Zurdita" Narvaez (4-0)
Pros
Submission threat
Volume striker
Good muay Thai
Light footwork
Active with the kicks
Uses feints well
Cons
Questionable TDD
The first thing to note is that this is WMMA and Colombian MMA, so everything I’m about to say could look completely different a year from now. That said, Narváez has been impressive. She hasn’t just excelled as a professional; she also went 6-0 as an amateur, capturing two regional titles along the way.
Narváez seems comfortable wherever the fight goes. However, she appears less at ease in open space on her feet. She frequently uses her legs—whether to control the pace or as feints—which is a key part of her style. In her pro debut, she didn’t look great when she was taken down. That said, she responded well, showing real aggression and skill off her back. Her jiu-jitsu and submission game are solid, and she clearly knows how to work from that position. While it’s not ideal, I’m not entirely convinced it’s a significant issue, especially since it’s only happened once.
What stands out most about Narváez is her volume. She doesn’t rely on single strikes or repetitive patterns. While much of her output isn’t highly technical—often more about "touching" than delivering power—in WMMA, that can still be effective. She does a good job of mixing up her offense, working from both stances, and combining punches and kicks.
Overall, the skill is there, but the level of competition she’s faced is a concern. She’s unbeaten for a reason, which says something, but it’s worth noting that she hasn’t yet faced a pro opponent with a winning record. I’ll be keeping an eye on her, and when she finally fights someone with a winning record, I’ll decide whether I’m sold on her potential.
