FIGHTING WORDS: JOANNE CALDERWOOD

Explosive and exciting Scotish striker Joanna Calderwood treks across the ocean to again conquer the Invicta cage on July 13th, for Invicta FC 6.

Shrugging off two opponent changes, Calderwood is focused on one thing; NormaRuedaCenter. With a mental game as strong as her renowned striking, Calderwood is intent on earning the win, and propelling herself towards the Invicta FC Straweight World title.

Corey Smith: You have said in the past that you got into MMA by accident. How did your love for MMA come about?

Joanne Calderwood: I started Muay Thai by accident. I went along to a class to keep my little brother company initially. After a while he packed it in, and I got more and more into it. I got into MMA just from being around the MMA guys in our gym, they seemed to be having a lot of fun, Their banter was funny, they were getting decent exposure, and opportunities where as I was getting less fights in Muay Thai.

JC: I had pretty much achieved everything I wanted to in it when I became a world champion. The thing I love most about MMA is just learning every day in the gym.

CS: At one point you were a nursing assistant. Have you considered the irony of helping people with health problems at one point, and then being the one causing the health problems?

JC: Haha, I still trained Muay Thai when I was working in the hospitals. I loved working and helping people especially the elderly. For the record I never took my training to work and never took my work to training ;)

JC: I feel that I’m still that caring person but now it’s just looking after people in the gym and looking out for my team mates. When I fight I never go in wanting to injure my opponent, it’s a sport. I want to beat them within the rules but I know they’re there to hurt me and sometimes they do get hurt. I try and always check on the girls after I fight them.

CS: With your genesis in MMA coming via kickboxing, do you ever see yourself going back to solely kickboxing matches?

JC: To be honest the thing I love in MMA is to be the best you got to beat the best. In Muay Thai every girl in my category is a champion, I beat four world champions before picking up my world title, and in the end the title thing was never a factor for me.

JC: But with MMA, the Invicta title belt will mean the world to me when I win it. Outside of Ronda I believe the Invicta champions are the best female fighters in the world at each respective weight class.

JC: I will still take big Muay Thai fights, defend my ISKA title and if the right opportunity comes along I’d take it, but MMA is my first priority.

CS: Does being one of the only active female fighters from Scotland hold special meaning to you?

JC: No not at all, it doesn’t really bother me and it doesn’t make me feel special in any way. I’d still be doing this if there were a hundred females in Scotland doing this and I’d still be the best one in the bunch.

JC: It does make me proud being a fighter and traveling and showing other countries that Scots can fight. Scotland’s a proud fighting country.

CS: What is the MMA community like in Scotland and in Europe? Are there major differences between European MMA and in the United States?

JC: Yea there is some big differences, in general everything is a bit more professional and regulated in the United States although there are some really good promotions in Europe doing good things. I’d say Europe is a little behind the states, but they’re getting there. You can see this with some of the European fighters doing well in the big US based shows.

CS: Your MMA career has taken you all around the globe, from your home in Scotland, to the United States, and including a stop in India. How does travel affect your training and conditioning?

JC: My training is usually done by the time I travel; I’ve never had any trouble with travelling. When I went to India I felt it a bit, but I just got on with it. I don’t like to cause any drama. At the end of the day I’m there to do my job and can’t really moan about it when it’s what I want to do. The traveling and weight cut is all mental, it should never be an excuse for under performing.

CS: You have fought on two previous Invcita cards, earning Knockout of the Night on one of them. How has your experience been like so far with the company?

JC: In one word; awesomeness. They are really great to work for and fight for. I’m so excited to be going back and to have extended my contract with them. I was gutted I wasn’t on the last one. I’d fight on every show they put on if they would let me. It’s really nice to get treated as a professional athlete by everyone on the team and I was a fan of the show the first time I saw it, so it’s cool to be a part of it.

CS: Your opponent at Invicta FC 6 on July 13th, NormaCenter, who trains out of Jacksons MMA, and brings an undefeated record with her. What are you expecting out of this bout?

JC: I’m really looking forward to putting on another great performance, my camp has been great and I’m just getting into last few weeks of training. Even though my opponents changed twice it doesn’t affect my training camp, it just means my coaches might need to tailor it a tad, but my heads been down and nothing can change that.

CS: There is some thought that the winner of this bout could be in line for a shot at current Invicta FC Straweight Champion Carla Esparza. Do title shot implications carry with them extra pressure for you?

JC: I’m not seeing past Norma. I will tell you though my screensaver is the Invicta belt and there ain’t a second that goes by looking at the belt that I don’t see myself fighting to the death for it. I hope I won’t be far away from a title shot, but I need to keep performing and winning to earn that spot and when I do, as Muhammad Ali once said,

“Not only be champion of the whole world, better than all of those before me.”

CS: What is your mindset like on the day of the fight? Do you have any superstitions or routines that you have to perform?

JC: Calm and focused. I spend it around my positive corner team and I could be going to war with a bear and I’d be calm, confident and ready.

JC: Not really, I always brush my gum shield the night before. I like to make sure I get a hug off all my team mates when I know I won’t see them until after the fight.

CS: Who usually accompanies you to the cage?

JC: Always my partner, coach, training partner and manager James Doolan. Paul McVeigh usually makes an appearance when he knows there’s an opportunity of getting his Blue Steel pose snapped by a camera within 100 miles. If the fights in the UK, one of my other coaches Guy Ramsay or Garry Christie will be there.

CS: What type of coaching do you prefer from your corners during a fight?

JC: My partner corners me with my other coaches; he knows how I think and how to get me to react. He is the only one who talks. I think this is important as in my earlier fights there has been times when 3 people telling me different things.

JC: I feel confident with my corner team, they’re very experienced. There isn’t anything in MMA they haven’t seen before and I trust them totally. I’ve had people comment on the relationship between me and my corner in several fights, it’s pretty unique but works so well.

CS: What types of activities do you enjoy for fun?

JC: I think training is fun! I’m pretty boring and single minded if I’m not training, I’m sleeping. I do some normal stuff like going to the movies, walking and stuff. I’ll have plenty of time for fun stuff once I’m done fighting.

CS: What helps you to mentally recharge during training camp?

JC: Sleep has a massive part lol. I think I have a good mind set and try to always feed the positives to the negatives. If I have a bad day I’ve got a great team behind me also.

CS: MMA is as much a team sport as it is an individual one. Who would you like to thank?

JC: People don’t realize just how much MMA is a team sport. Thanks to every one on my team especially everyone that helps me prepare for my fights.

JC: DNFT #1 kicking Baws and breaking jaws. The old saying “There is no I in team,” is a true one.

FIGHTING WORDS: CHARMAINE TWEET

Confident and experienced, Charmaine Tweet answered the call, and will clash with Ediane Gomes at Invicta FC 6 on July 13th.

Fulfilling a lifetime goal to fight for the pinnacle of Women’s MMA, Tweet had little hesitation filling in for an injured Julia Budd, even after having fought on June 1st. A world champion Muay Thai fighter with strong submission skills, Tweet will to make an impressive Invicta debut on July 13th.

Corey Smith: At a young age, your introduction to martial arts came via fitness tapes made by Sugar Ray Leonard. Soon after you began to train kickboxing with Duke Roofus. How did that relationship come about? And what was your early training like?

Charmaine Tweet: My husband actually met Duke first, and since he knew that I was interested in boxing sent me down to his gym for a free trial.  I absolutely loved it and told them right away that I wanted to box competitively, and was asked if I would be interested in kickboxing as well; I said sure and entered into their beginner class.

CT: I spent three or four, what seemed to me like, very long months in that class trying to get the skills down.  I never saw myself as being particularly coordinated, and couple that with my intense desire to succeed and be the best, and I was feeling like I wasn’t doing very well.  Looking back now, I was probably doing better than most!

 

CS: How soon after your training began did you take your first Muay Thai bout? What was that first bout like for you mentally?

CT: I had my first bout approximately two years after I first started training.  It was against Julie Kedzie and it was tough! There I was 26 years old, with two years experience, competing against a Third Degree Black Belt who had been training since she was a child.

CT: I experienced my first ever ‘adrenaline dump”, my arms and legs felt like lead and it didn’t feel like I could do anything.  It ended in a draw and I wasn’t so sure I wanted to compete again, but I pressed on and my second fight was much better and I knew that I wanted to continue in the sport.

 

CS: Your Muay Thai career lasted roughly ten years before you began MMA full time. What was your biggest accomplishment? How do the Muay Thai and MMA worlds differ?

CT: I won two World Titles as a striker, and would have to say that my biggest accomplishment, so far :) , was winning the IFMA Championship in Thailand.  As far as the sports themselves go, in Thai Boxing, you only have to worry about eight different things hitting you in a variety of ways and in MMA you still have to worry about those, but when you add in the wrestling and BJJ aspects you suddenly have hundreds of different things that could be happening to you and it can be a little bit overwhelming at first.

CT: I also found the worlds outside of the competitive arena quite a bit different as well.  In Thai Boxing you could compete with relative anonymity, where as is in MMA people really start to know who you are and can have very strong opinions of you.  I find it kind of interesting, with the expansion of social media, to see the good, bad and sometimes downright ugly things people have to say about their favorite and not so favorite fighters lol.

CS: Despite being classified as the classic “striker” label, all of your wins have come via submission. What do you credit for such a strong ground game?

CT: The funny thing is, I love to strike, but in each fight the submission just seemed to present it’s self to me. When I first started taking BJJ, it wasn’t real fun for me . It wasn’t until I found the right coach & gym with an amazing team that I real started to enjoy BJJ & Wrestling. Wiley BJJ has really helped me elevate my ground game to a new level and has rounded out my MMA.

CS: The first opponent in your MMA career was Ronda Rousey. What were your impressions of her at the time? How do you think a rematch would turn out?

CT: It was my first fight, and going Pro with no real amateur experience in MMA was a big leap. I thought she was good enough to win that night. But let’s make no mistake about it, that was 2 years ago. And I am a different fighter today. There is no doubt in my mind a re-match would end much differently; even at 135 lbs. Never say never!!!

CS: You have spoken in the past about viewing Strikeforce as the pinnacle of Women’s MMA, and that your goal was to fight there. With Strikeforce’s closure, and Invicta’s

emergence, how does it feel to be fighting for the pinnacle of Women’s MMA?

CT: It is 12 years worth of hard work all coming together at the right time. I am so proud to be fighting for Invicta FC. Shannon & Janet are such great ambassadors for WMMA, and I’m glad to be part of it. After working so hard to get here, it was very hard to turn down an amazing opportunity when Janet called for Invicta FC 5.

CT: It was a real short notice fight and there was only just over 1 week to prepare. So after talking with my Coach and Manager we decided to play it smart and wait. I can tell you that was a couple of tough days struggling with that. But like I always say… “Everything happens for a reason”, and here we are today.

CS: You most recently fought on June 1st, and will now be facing Ediane Gomes on less than a month’s notice. Was there any hesitation in taking the bout so soon after your last one and on short notice? How familiar are you with Gomes?

CT: We called Janet just prior to my June 1st fight, when another fight we had lined up for England fell through. We asked if there was a chance to get a spot on Invicta 6. The card was already full, so Janet suggested I stay ready as a possible alternate at 145.

CT: I did just that. I went right back to the gym the Monday following my win over Amanda Bell, and started getting ready for this card. So when the call came a few days ago, there was no hesitation. I have been given an opportunity and I plan to make the most of it come July 13th. I met Ediane at a card a few years back, but other then that don’t know her personally. She comes from a great gym with a strong team, but I feel I match up in all areas and have the advantage in most.

 

CS: On fight night, what is your mindset? Do you have any routines that you perform? Any superstitions?

CT: My game plan and the way I get ready is something we don’t discuss outside my locker room with my team. I can say that she is the one person standing in my way at this point….. And that’s not a good place to be!!

 

CS: Who will be accompanying you to the cage on July 13th? What type of feedback do you prefer from your coaches?

CT: My two coaches from Wiley BJJ, from Regina Saskatchewan, Canada, Jeff Wiley & Nolan Coller, will be in my corner. We are a family and it comes down to Train Hard, Win Easy!!!

 

CS: Outside of training and martial arts, what types of activities do you enjoy?

CT: I’m a Mom :)   I like watching my two teenage ( Joshua 16 & Christian 13 ) sons play Football,  Basketball & Wrestle. We are an all around sports family and its kind of how we all stick together and get time as a family

CS: What advice would you give to a young athlete looking to begin their journey in martial arts?

CT: Follow what you feel is right. Don’t let gyms, coaches, friends, etc tell you what direction is best for you. If it feels right it probably is, if it doesn’t maybe its time for a change. God knows I have found that out over the years. :)

CS: Lastly, MMA is as much a team sport as it is an individual one. Who would you like to thank?

CT: I want to first thank my family for supporting me and letting me pursue my dreams while encouraging me at every turn.

CT: Secondly I want t thank my Coaches Jeff Wiley, Nolan Coller, Moses Ali (New Line Boxing) , Myke Lee & Deryl Bangsund.

CT: But honestly without the entire family at Wiley BJJ, which includes all the students, I wouldn’t be at this place today!! I love these guys… this is my home, it’s not just a gym!!

CT: I need to as always give a huge shout out to all my amazing sponsors and with any luck get a great plug in for them all. Misfit Baggers, The Tap House, Canadian Whey,

X – ION – X, Signal Direct, Power Dodge, Dedicated Few, and Com Tech!

FIGHTING WORDS: EDIANE GOMES

Riding a four fight win streak, Brazilian Featherweight Ediane Gomes returns to the Invicta cage on July 13th when she faces Charmaine Tweet at Invicta FC 6.

A woman of few words, Gomes has faced top flight competition her entire career, and after a injurt forced her off Invicta FC 5, she is intent on a win this July. Training out of American Top Team in Coconut Creek, FL, Gomes is looking to become a world champion at 145 lbs, and a win against Tweet is the next step towards that goal.

Corey Smith: You had to pull out of your Invicta FC 5 bout with Cris Cyborg with an unspecified training injury. Can you tell us what that injury was? And have you fully recovered from it?

Ediane Gomes: I had a severe contusion on my ribs.  Originally we thought they were broken and it looked like 2 of them were sticking out of my stomach.  I wasn’t able to train for several weeks.

EG: I am fully recovered now and was very disappointed I could not fight Cyborg.  I really wanted that fight.

CS: What are your goals in Invicta this year after coming back from the injury?

EG: I want to be the Title Champion.

CS: How do ensure that another injury does not occur but also receive the proper amount of training for the fight?

EG: Injuries happen in this sport.  I try to be careful but I train very hard.  I train with the men.  I want to be the best so I always go 100%.

CS: Cyborg went on to fight Fiona Muxlow, and is now scheduled to face Marloes Coenen for the Invicta FC Featherweight title. Is that a fight you still want at some point down the road?

EG: Definitely.  That would be a huge fight for me.

CS: Your opponent at Inicta FC 6, Charmaine Tweet, is an accomplished kickboxer. How do you prepare for an opponent such as Tweet? What are you expecting out of the bout?

EG: I have been working a lot on my striking.  My striking has gotten so good.  I want to knock her out.

CS: On the subject of training camp, what is a typical day during camp for you? How do you maintain your motivation throughout camp?

EG: I train every day in the morning and night.  Depending on the day depends on what I train on.  In Brazil I came from nothing- very very poor.  My motivation is to do better for me and my family.

CS: For an international fight such as this one, what is your travel schedule like coming from Brazil?

EG: I live in Coconut Creek FL so no international travel for me!

CS: Invicta goes to great lengths to make sure their fighters only have to concentrate on their fights, going so far as to bring in someone just to braid athlete’s hair before the fight. What do things like that do for your performance in the cage?

EG:The more my mind can only think of the fight- the better prepared I am.

CS: What is your mindset on fight night? Any routines or superstitions?

EG:I get very aggressive.  Ready to knock someone out.  I think only of the knockout.

CS: When you are in the cage, what do you expect from your corners? Do you allow all your corners to coach, or do you have a main voice that you look to?

EG: I try and listen to everything they tell me so I will do better in the fight.

CS: Outside of preparation for your fights, how much MMA do you watch purely for enjoyment?

EG: I watch a lot when I can.  I love MMA.

CS: Lastly, MMA is as much a team sport as it is an individual one. Who would you like to thank?

EG:My coaches at ATT, Mike Rodriguez, Ricardo Liborio.

EG: My management team at ML Management and Tina Vidal-Smith.

EG: And my sponsors:  Bas Rutten, Dogs Forever Forever Dogs, Fight Chix, MMA Owl, MMA Overload, and Faction Mouthguards.