CORY MCKENNA finally resumes her assault on the strawweight division this weekend after getting through a horrific health ordeal.
It's been 15 months since the first Welshwoman to compete in mixed martial arts' top promotion had her hand raised against Cheyanne Vlismas.
The victory over the Vlismas was one of the hardest fought of her career as she picked up a respiratory syncytial virus during fight week.
McKenna, 24, was then struck down by further two viral infections and the after-effects of long Covid, which, at one point, left her bedridden.
Recalling the harrowing ordeal, she told SunSport: "It was hell - it was definitely a rough year.
"But it's just more motivation and fuel to the fire for Saturday.
"I feel like I've just proven to myself how tough I am and the willingness in my heart to just push through and get to my goals.
"So I'm excited to go out there on Saturday night and just show everybody what I've been working for and pushing towards."
McKenna's health issues prevented her from doing any form of hard training, which came as a huge adjustment to an elite athlete who has been training multiple times a day for the majority of her life.
"It was rough [not being able to train]," she admitted. "I kind of took the opportunity to explore other avenues and develop myself as an athlete in different ways.
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"Obviously, where possible, I was still training around everything and through everything.
"It was the first time where. I was bedridden.
"Even when I broke my ankle, I was hopping around wearing a boot and lifting weights and doing boxing and stuff and working around it.
"So it was the first time where I've been completely wiped out."
McKenna began questioning whether she'd ever fight again when climbing a flight of stairs would cause her heart rate to rise to nearly 200 beats per minute.
She admitted: "There was definitely a moment [where I thought my career could be over].
"I flew out to the UFC PI [UFC Performance Institute] because I was having some problems and was worried.
"I didn't think it would derail it because I'm stubborn no matter what.
"But I definitely thought it would hinder it."
Quitting, however, isn't in the DNA of McKenna - who has got herself fighting fit for a return to the octagon this weekend at UFC Fight Night 239 in Las Vegas.
And the perseverance she showed during the toughest time of her career has well and truly fortified her mind.
"I've shown to myself that I'm able to push through anything," McKenna said. "I've got that heart and I've got that drive.
"And if anything, I think that will carry over on to Saturday night when I'm doing whatever I can to get that win."
Standing in front of the Cwmbran clubber early on Sunday morning will be Brazilian Jaqueline Amorim, who has gone 1-1 during her brief time in the UFC.
McKenna said of the American Top Team standout: "She's a great opponent, she's an elite grappler and former LFA champ.
"There are no easy fights in the UFC, so I expect no less.
"So I think it's going to be a great opportunity to show my skill set also.
"So I'm really excited to show everybody the level that I'm at and able to hang at."
McKenna goes into her octagon return riding a two-fight win streak having defeated Miranda Granger and Vlismas and no doubt has ambitions of facing ranked strawweights in the near future.
But the last 12 months have taught her not to plan too far in advance.
McKenna said: "The only focus for me right now is Jaqueline Amorim.
"As mentioned, I've had a lot of layoffs and I've really learned the hard way that I can't plan too far ahead.
"There are so many variables in this sport. I could get hurt on Saturday, I could get sick - it's a brutal sport.
"At the end of the day, I'm just focusing on Jaqueline Amorim.
"And then I'll regroup with my team after that and then we'll assess what the next step is.
"I've very much learned to take things one day at a time."
