Lea Bivins believes Noelle Grandjean will be a tougher opponent than Zeba Bano

Lea Bivins will be making her professional MMA debut at ONE on Prime Video 3. However, this comes after the bout 'First Moon' was previously booked for. The US-born athlete was meant to debut earlier in 2022.

Bivins was booked to fight national Indian kickboxing champion Zeba Bano earlier this year in an MMA bout. Bano struggled to make weight which lead to the fight being called off the same day as the match was supposed to happen. 'First Moon' has now been rebooked to compete on October 21 against a new opponent.

At ONE on Prime Video 3, she will meet a Tiger Muay Thai product in Noelle Grandjean. 'Lil' Monkey' is a Thai-born fighter who has more experience in MMA than Bivins.

With this new opponent, the US-born fighter is happy because she believes Grandjean will be a bigger test. In an interview with the South China Morning Post (SCMP) MMA, Bivins explained:

"I do obviously feel that she’s a better grade of fighter for me, which I’m really excited about because I just really want to get in there and fight. I don’t want any pullouts or anything like that. As for her record, I believe Zeba [Bano] had about three more fights, but I feel like Noelle is definitely a tougher competitor just by watching her videos in itself."

See the full interview with Lea Bivins below:

---

Lea Bivins looking to utilize her size advantage

Bivins has been preparing a gameplan for her new opponent and doing her homework. She understands that she will have a size advantage in this fight, of which she trained for.

Speaking to SCMP MMA, Lea Bivins continued:

"She trains out of Phuket with Tiger Muay Thai, I’ve been stalking her Instagram a little bit and [watching] her videos. But as far as the reach and height advantage, I feel very confident in my skills. I think she’s about 4’11 or 5-foot [flat] and I’m 5’5” so I do have a big reach and height advantage on her. I believe Zeba was like 5’3” so [it was] a little different preparation. I had to bring in some shorter people in my camp to get different sparring rounds with different looks."

The American fighter has been waiting a long time to make her professional debut in ONE Championship. On October 21, Bivins will finally have an opportunity to showcase her talent inside the cirlce.