UFC 174 in Vancouver two years ago represented both the finish line and starting point for Valerie Letourneau.
On one hand, it was the end of a seven-year quest for respect and validation after she watched fellow Canadians and former opponents Sarah Kaufman and Alexis Davis ascend to the highest levels of the sport, eventually reaching the UFC. where they were joined by Brazilian Claudia Gadelha, another fighter to garner a victory over the French-Canadian veteran.
After numerous ups and downs, including a loss to Roxanne Modaferri during the elimination stage on season 18 of The Ultimate Fighter, the tough kickboxer was finally getting her shot on the big stage; her chance to show everyone that she belonged.