FIGHTING WORDS: ESTHER LIN

Though Esther Lin remains conspicuous ringside at the largest bouts in combat sports, her iconic shots are anything but. Covering Invicta FC since its inception, Lin is widely recognized as the pinnacle of her profession in mixed martial arts.

Corey Smith: How did your passion for photography first come about? When was the first time realized you had a talent for it?

Esther Lin: I started in painting and film and my father is an artist so I have always been around the arts. I went to college for documentary production and cinematography and worked various jobs all over Hollywood until I landed a post-production job at a small production company that asked me to shoot production stills for their low-budget films.

EL: I spent weekends shooting production stills for a schoolmate who directed music videos and honestly, I was pretty terrible. But I kept doing it even after I left the job for yet another random production job.

CS: At what stage in your career did you first begin to photograph mixed martial arts shows? How did that opportunity come about?

EL: In late 2006, my fiancรฉe Casey started working for ProElite and brought me in to work their in graphics and some productions. Then in early 2007 I went to my first MMA smoker in a local gym while doing production work for ProElite.ย  I brought along my camera and shot the fights and had a lot of good shots for my first fight ever.ย  I spent the next two years going to local events for the ProElite website.

EL: I wasnโ€™t really a photographer before I shot MMA.ย  I did shoot and I did try to get jobs as a photographer, shot a few weddings and events, but I wouldnโ€™t have introduced myself as a photographer.ย  From 2007, I have pretty much exclusively shot MMA and boxing.ย  In late 2008, EliteXC and ProElite laid me off and I spent the next six months living off my unemployment checks, honing my craft and trying to pick up freelance jobs as a photographer.

EL: Fighters Only Magazine then gave me my first cover, a photo I took of Kimbo Slice.ย  In April 2009, Strikeforce went on Showtime and I covered all the press events and the fight.ย  When I got to the fight, they didnโ€™t have a cageside spot for me, shooting for Fighters Only Magazine, so I had to sit in press row.

EL: Instead of wasting the trip, I photographed all over the event, the walkouts, wide sprawling arena shots, different POVs of each fight from the audience and Ken Hershman, who was at Showtime but now at HBO, saw my gallery and asked me to come work for Strikeforce.

CS: What do you think Invicta FC does for the sport of Womenโ€™s MMA? How has your experience been with the company thus far?

EL: I think Invicta FC is a fantastic platform for WMMA. Actually, itโ€™s a great platform for MMA.ย  MMA grows faster when the womenโ€™s divisions flourish as well.ย  I love working for Invicta FC.ย  It is my favorite promotion to shoot because the athletes are full of heart and love and just dears to photograph. The action is unparalleled and Invicta president Shannon Knapp allowed me and Casey creative freedom in our photography and video work.

CS: Other than MMA, what other sports do you shoot? What types of unique challenges are there while photographing a mixed martial arts event?

EL: I only shoot combat sports, mainly MMA and boxing.ย  MMA has the cage, which is a challenge, and ground fighting is difficult to photograph at certain angles while boxing is pretty easy, itโ€™s just timing and a little luck.

CS: How much are you able to enjoy a bout while you are shooting it?

EL: I always enjoy shooting a fight. Maybe Iโ€™d be a better shooter if I wasnโ€™t so into the fight.

CS: Are there any major differences in working a small show compared to a larger one?

EL: Big shows have more breaks, different timing, and brighter lights.ย  The athletes are mostly the same but thereโ€™s less access and intimacy at large shows.

CS: Have you faced any barriers as a female photographer in a largely male populated profession?

EL: Thereโ€™s been a few times when people have suggested that I only have gotten work because Iโ€™m female, which is pretty ridiculous because I can tell you that it is not an advantage.ย  I donโ€™t want to call anyone out but there have been a handful of times Iโ€™ve been passed up for less experienced male competition.ย  Their loss, though.

CS: Regardless of the sport, what do you believe is the key to an iconic shot?

EL: Story is key.

CS: You have a genuine love for the sport beyond a means of income. What do you love most about MMA?

EL: I just love all the stories.ย  Everyone involved from fighters to coaches to the people that build the cage.

CS: With the type of access you have to mixed martial arts athletes, what moments stand out in your mind?

EL: I remember my first press tour was a day with Gina Carano hitting up various media outlets in New York City in 2009 and that was really big for me.ย  I loved every countdown shoot Iโ€™ve done for Invicta.ย  And being in the locker rooms at Strikeforce was important for me, you see the before and after in the most intimate space.ย  And this last year I went on a nine-city press tour with Floyd Mayweather and Canelo Alvarez — perhaps the biggest series of events Iโ€™ve ever been a part of.

EL: Iโ€™ve also been at every major womenโ€™s bout from the first on CBS, Carano vs Cyborg, Ronda Rouseyโ€™s UFC debut, etc. I welled up with emotion when Ronda Rousey and Liz Carmouche walked out at the Honda Center.

CS: Lastly, who would you like to thank?

EL: Iโ€™d like to thank Casey for being my cheerleader. Showtime for giving me really huge opportunities, mainly Chris DeBlasio for his continual support of my art.ย  And Shannon Knapp for trusting that I know what Iโ€™m doing — and letting me do it.

Tuff-N-Uff announces four-woman strawweight tournament

Tuff-N-Uff announces four-woman strawweight tournament, winner to earn pro contract with Invicta FC

LAS VEGAS โ€“ The nationโ€™s premier amateur mixed martial arts promotion is happy to announce an exciting new venture with the sportโ€™s top all-female organization.

โ€œTuff-N-Uff: The Future Stars of Mixed Martial Artsโ€ will host a four-woman strawweight tournament, and the winner will be rewarded with a professional fight contract with Invicta Fighting Championships.

โ€œTuff-N-Uff has long supported womenโ€™s martial arts, and weโ€™ve been fortunate enough to have some of the best ladies in the game compete in our cage,โ€ Tuff-N-Uff Vice President Jeff Meyer said. โ€œThe chance to partner with the best all-womenโ€™s MMA organization in the sport for this unique opportunity was a natural fit for us, and Iโ€™m looking forward to seeing this tournament play out.โ€

The four women involved in the tournament include Texasโ€™ Jianna Denizard (5-2), Las Vegasโ€™ own Jamie Moyle (3-2), Arkansasโ€™ Laura Uyeda (5-0) and Californiaโ€™s Molly Wren-Holmes (4-0).

The opening round of the bracket takes place at Tuff-N-Uffโ€™s April 11 fight card at The Orleans Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

Tickets for the event, which start at just $25, are available at Tuff-N-Uffโ€™s official website, tuffnuff.com.

Denizard comes to the tournament on the strength of her quality striking. However, she also boasts two submission wins on her record, proving sheโ€™s a threat wherever the fight takes place. At 5-foot-7, Denizard will be the tallest of the four competitors; and she knows how to use every inch of her reach to her advantage, utilizing her range to force opponents to over-extend themselves and fall prey to counters.

Moyle has already faced the likes of undefeated four-time Invicta FC veteran Tecia Torres during her time in the amateur ranks, and she comes from one of the best camps in the world in Syndicate MMA. Moyle possesses some of the sharpest techniques in amateur MMA today, and her ability to put pressure on opponents is her strongest asset. Despite being the smallest competitor out of the four, no opponent will be able to take her lightly.

Uyeda is probably the best all-around athlete in the tournament. She earned a bronze medal in the No-Gi Worlds 2012, and in college earned a full athletic scholarship to New Orleans University at Monroe. Her ground game is clearly her strength. However, she also possesses a knockout win on her record and has taken two victories by decision.

Wren-Holmes is the craftiest MMA practitioner in the tournament, earning comparisons to a former Tuff-N-Uff competitor, Mike Pyle. No matter what position or situation Wren-Holmes is in, sheโ€™ll find a way to use it to inflict some pain on her opponent. The Californian is adept at landing the first and last punch of any exchange, as well. This helps her gain advantages over opponents not only physically, but mentally. Sheโ€™s finished three of her four bouts by knockout.

The winners of the two April 11 semifinal bouts will meet in the tournament final on June 7 at Thomas and Mack Center.

About Tuff-N-Uff:

Tuff-N-Uff Productions, Inc. (www.tuffnuff.com) is the nationโ€™s premier amateur mixed martial arts promotion. Founded in 1994, Tuff-N-Uff has helped many amateur fighters gain the experience needed to pursue professional fight careers. Tuff-N-Uff is proud to have helped groom the following professional fighters: Ronda Rousey, Ryan Couture, Marina Shafir, Chris Holdsworth and Jessamyn Duke.

About Invicta Fighting Championships:

Invicta Fighting Championships (www.invictafc.com) is a world championship Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight series dedicated to providing female athletes with a major platform to hone their skills on a consistent basis. Founded in 2012 by longtime MMA executive Shannon Knapp, Invicta is committed to pioneering the future growth of womenโ€™s MMA by promoting the best possible matchups between female competitors and identifying and developing future superstars of the sport.

Fighting Words: Natasha Wicks

Original Invicta FC Phoenix Girl Natasha Wicks has done it all; long distance running, modeling, and of course the aforementioned position with Invicta FC. Looking forward to continuing with Invicta FC, Natasha gives us her take on her wide ranging and unique career.

Corey Smith: Before any involvement in MMA, you are first and foremost a long distance runner. How did your love for that sport come about?

Natasha Wicks: It all starts with my parents. My father was a sprinter; a red haired, golden-eyed Irishman who could medal in the shorter distances. While my mother was a distance runner; she holds the first ever High school Cross-countryState championship medal for a woman in Las Vegas. Combine the two and you have me, the human Seabiscuit. I began running with my mom in the morning before home school in 8th grade and went to Public high school so that I could compete in XC (Cross Country) and T&F (Track And Field).

NW: I ended up at NorthernArizonaUniversity, a Division 1 school, on a full ride academic and athletic scholarship. My dad died when I was young and there is something in me that feels I keep him “alive” in me through my running. Running is in my blood, nothing excites me more then competing.

CS: You spoke in the past about training for the 2016 Summer Olympics. Are you still training towards that goal?

NW: That has been a goal of mine since high school. Competing in the Olympics. Because of some serious injuries after college, I stopped running altogether and went through a depression because of it. I was always “Natasha Wicks the Runner” and felt like nobody if I wasn’t racing/winning. Now that I am healthy and have the most amazing team around me, I feel like I can really show what I am capable of as an athlete. If I end up being ready and a true competitor by 2016, then I will try. But in all truth, I so much prefer trail racing since I am a long distance runner… 25 laps on a track can be hell at times. Haha.

CS: As part of your training regime, you adhere to a pretty strict juice diet. What are the benefits of such a diet? What are the challenges of a juice diet?

NW: I do Juice fasts, cleanses and intermittent fasting throughout the year. I juice everyday, but that is usually with a meal. The benefits are vast! Fasting, cleansing and detoxing are all great to give your body a reboot, to flush out inflammation and fungus and keep my body functioning at the highest level. It is impossible to compete at the highest level if you don’t keep your machine fine tuned on the inside as well as the outside. The challenges of doing cleanses and fasts is really only hard for the first 3-4 days then itโ€™s easy. Itโ€™s only hard because I love food. ;)

CS: At what point did you begin to model full time? How did that portion of your career come about?

NW: I began modeling at the end of 2007 and was in full force model mode all through 2008 and on. The kick start happened in Hawaii were it was brought to my attention that models are not all tall and that I could have a real career in it. So I figured I’d try and give it a go.

CS: You were selected to be a UFC Octagon Girl via a national search. What was that experience like for you?

NW: Winning the UFC/Maxim Octagon Girl Search was definitely a life changing moment. It has brought me to where I am today and I wouldn’t want it any other way. I only submitted my Bio and photos because it was for a coveted position in a ever growing sports organization. And I love my sports!

NW: Upon arrival though, I quickly decided to just have fun because I did not see myself winning. Thousands of girls submitted themselves to be in the top 40 that would compete at the UFC expo for UFC 100. When they announced me the winner at the end of 3 rounds, I was beyond ecstatic and at the time didn’t really realize how big a deal it was. And working as an Octagon Girl was so much fun!

NW: Despite the random hatred I get from Arianny, I really loved working the fights with her, Logan and Leslie our Octagon mom. Always being goofy and talking about boys and the awkward weigh-in moments…. it was a laugh fest. I loved being there, watching the fights live, signing autographs and having my hair pulled to come back and sign someoneโ€™s shirt. ;)

CS: As the original Phoenix Girl for Invicta FC, what has your experience been like thus far with the company? What differences are there between Invicta FC and other promotions?

NW: Being personally selected by Invicta president Shannon Knapp to be her first official Phoenix Girl/Ring girl was such an honor. I love that she views me as a strong woman who represents other strong woman in the first ever all woman’s MMA organization. Shannon Knapp gave me the task of putting the Phoenix Girls/Ring girls together as well.

NW: Before any outfit decisions she asked my opinion and has always made me feel like a valuable asset to this ever growing organization. I’ve been at all 7 of the fight events and have seen so many big changes all ready. All good! The vision, Organization, and staff are all top notch and the athletes truly are some of the most amazing woman. Being surrounded by athletes, especially women, pushes me and inspires me in my own sport.

NW: The difference between Invicta and other promotions is that it is all about the athletes. Shannon Knapp created a stage for woman from all over the world to display their skills and she takes everyone into consideration and pulls out all the stops. And because the athletes and the employees see how much Shannon does for them, they have so much more respect for her. There is something comfortable about being at Invictaโ€™s events. You feel like an important and valuable team player. I am sure all the athletes and staff feel the same way. Iโ€™ve never seen nor felt that way in any other organization.

CS: Between running, modeling, and your work within the MMA world, your professional plate seems to be rather full. Do you think it is important to have varied interests and professional opportunities?

NW: My plate is definitely full! But in all good ways. I am doing what I love and what makes me the happiest. Training full time with a part time job at a Specialty Running Store(Running Revolution) makes for a very relaxed and stress free life. To add all the companies I represent, gigs, shoots and Invicta events on top doesn’t really change much. Modeling can be time consuming, depending on the gig, but it is so easy. I love the variety of it all. Keeps me interested. Haha. I am a very active and adventurous person so getting to travel for work and getting paid to play dress up has been a dream the last 4 years.

CS: You have participated in two overseas tours for American Troops. What were those experiences like?

NW: The first Tour for the Troops that I did was in Iraq and Kuwait in 2011. I was invited by Amber Nichole Miller, the OG UFC octagon girl whom I had only met and worked with once at a gig in Vegas. Karaoke brings people together lol. The Tour was so rad! We visited the different bases, talking to the soldiers and hearing about all the different jobs and positions. We flew around on Black Hawks, shot Sniper 50 calibers, machine guns, made a bomb.

NW: My grandpa served in WWII and I have brothers in the army, so I loved that I was able to show my love and support to all the men and woman who have sacrificed so much for our country. The second Tour for the Troops was in 2013 in the Middle East as well; 6 countries on that Tour. Just like the first, I had such an amazing time and hope to do many more. I love our Troops!

CS: Outside of your professional interests, what types of activities do you enjoy?

NW: Outside of Running, Ring-girling and modeling I have quite the array of interests and hobbies. I love to sew, crochet, stitch; ย in fact in college I started making my own handbags for fun and it very quickly turned into a little business for me. I probably made over 200 bags and even made some shoes and jeans. I’ll still make them from time to time as a gift.

NW: ย I was an Art student in College, so I still enjoy drawing/painting. I love photography, skateboarding(since my road rash of 2011 I avoid hills), cooking, baking, gardening, watching movies, writing, scrapbooking, rock-climbing, surfing, hiking, shopping, traveling…. ;)

CS: Lastly, it takes a team behind you to succeed. Who would you like to thank?

NW: First and foremost I want to thank Invicta, Shannon Knapp, for bringing me into this amazing organization. I want to thank my running sponsors Oak Grove Technologies and Premiere Spine and sport.

NW: ย My team of trainers at The Riekes Center, always taking my fitness to the next level. Thank you to the team at SNAC, monitoring me on the inside and supplying me with the best supplements.

NW: I want to thank Apocalypse MMA for working with me and creating the most beautiful website. Thank you to Randy Couture and all the guys at Kountermove for putting my face on all over their company.

NW: ย And of course a big thank you to all my fans, they have continued to follow and support me in everything that I pursue. I wouldn’t be where I am without my fans!

FIGHTING WORDS: LAUREN MURPHY

Lauren Murphy recently defeated Miriam Nakamoto at Invicta FC 7 for the inaugural Invicta FC Bantamweight Championship, and shared with us her thoughts about her win, what has changed for her, and most importantly; where she keeps the Invicta FC title belt.

Corey Smith: The coverage of your remarkable life story has been fairly in depth. What do you think it is about your life that seems to draw so much attention?

Lauren Murphy: I donโ€™t know! My life seems pretty normal to me, haha! I actually think thatโ€™s why people like it. Iโ€™m just a normal person. I wasnโ€™t raised to be a champion, I havenโ€™t been an athlete since I was a kid, I am not an Olympian, and Iโ€™m not a black belt in ANYTHING.

LM: Iโ€™m just a normal person who had some struggles, which I believe everyone has in some way or another. Iโ€™m just your average Lauren, who worked really hard, and achieved some cool things doing something I love. People look at me and they can relate to that. If I can do it, maybe anyone can do it. Itโ€™s hopeful.

CS: You recently defeated Miriam Nakamoto for the inaugural Invicta FC Bantamweight Championship. What was your game plan going into that bout? How much did the fight deviate from how you envisioned it?

LM: It didnโ€™t really deviate until she didnโ€™t stand up in the fourth round. Our game plan was solid, in my mind. We knew I would have some trouble with her on the feet, of course! I would hope so, sheโ€™s a Muay Thai stud, right?!

LM: But, I didnโ€™t want to run out there and shoot on her right away. To me, in a way, that seemed cowardly, and the fans donโ€™t want to see that. Iโ€™m here to fight! I wanted to show her, and everyone else, that I was willing to stand and trade with one of the best strikers in the world. So thatโ€™s what I did.

LM: I know she got the better of me on our feet, but I landed enough punches hard enough to bloody her nose and let her know she couldnโ€™t knock me out. Iโ€™ve only trained for four years, so to stand with an 8-time world champ who has trained for 14, Iโ€™m proud of that.

LM: We also figured she would get tired in the third and later rounds, and wouldnโ€™t be as likely to stop a takedown. But shooting on her, in the open, when sheโ€™s fresh, thatโ€™s just dumb. Thatโ€™s a great way to eat one of her infamous knees. So we werenโ€™t going to do that.

CS: Nakamoto suffered a knee injury in the bout, and was unable to continue. What are your thoughts on how the bout ended?

LM: There is no doubt Miriam was hurt, and I think thatโ€™s too bad. You never want to see an athlete get seriously hurt like that. Some people have said I donโ€™t deserve that belt and that she should have won. I think thatโ€™s just silly, for a lot of reasons. Miriam asked for that fight to be stopped, not me. She fell and did not pull guard or try to fight off her back. She did not look for sweeps or armbars or anything.

LM: We were not even in striking distance when she fell, yet she rolled and turned her back. There were a lot of pics on social media of her later, training the day after surgery and such, doing Jiu Jitsu and whatever else. I saw that many people thought that was very amazing, and I just had to wonder, why wasnโ€™t any Jiu Jitsu done during the fight, when it counted? When the world championship was on the line, where was the toughness and heart that would allow her to return to training one day after surgery?

LM: Many fighters have fought with torn up ACLโ€™s, for instance, Conor McGregor went on to put on the fight of his life with one, so it is possible. โ€œThe mind rules the bodyโ€, as they say. Iโ€™m not saying she wasnโ€™t hurt. I am saying, if she wanted to win, she should have kept fighting. Itโ€™s not my fault she didnโ€™t continue. If the fans have an issue with it, I believe they should take it up with her.

LM: I was willing to fight Miriam on one leg. I would have crawled out to the 4th and 5th rounds if I had to, thatโ€™s how badly I wanted win. Some fighters would rather quit than take an ass beating. Me, Iโ€™d rather take an ass beating than ever quit. Thatโ€™s why I am the champion.

CS: Can you tell us what you said to Miriam before the official decision was announced?

LM: Yeah, I just asked her what happened.

CS: What do you think will be the biggest difference between winning the belt and defending the belt?

LM: Nothing changes as far as my mindset goes. I have always worked really hard and improved by leaps and bounds between each fight. That wonโ€™t change. What has changed, maybe, is everyone elseโ€™s mindset. Now they have to come get me and try to take whatโ€™s mine. That means theyโ€™ll be hungry. But Iโ€™ll be hungrier. I always have been. I still am. I still have something to prove.

CS: As champion, what are your thoughts on the Invicta Bantamweight division?

LM: Itโ€™s great!! I have fought three really tough girls in there so far J, so I would say itโ€™s full of talent. I think there are a lot of very good up and comers that are young, hungry and talented. Itโ€™s exciting. I canโ€™t wait to see how the story of the bantamweight division unfolds.

CS: This January you provided commentary for your home state promotion, Alaska Fighting Championships. How did that come about? What was the experience like for you?

LM: It was really a lot of fun! The AFC has always been good to me. I am actually the title holder for the womenโ€™s division there, so the owner (Sarah Lorimer) found out I was coming to Alaska for a while and asked if I would like to commentate. I was nervous the first fight, but got the hang of it quickly. The guy I commentated with, Kevin Avellar, has been commentating a long time, so he knew how to fill the silences, what to talk about, how to introduce the fighters, etc.

LM: I have a lot of respect for good commentators; they can make or break a promotion trying to get home viewers! It was a very cool experience and I hope to be able to do it again sometime.

CS: Some champions sleep with the belt, others put it up on the mantle. Where do you keep the title belt?

LM: HA! Actually, itโ€™s been toted around in my backpack through airports and across state lines in my car maybe more than anything since I won it. I have been travelling a lot, and itโ€™s been coming with me. Everyone wants to take pictures with it, and I am more than happy to break it out anytime someone asks. I like showing it off.

CS: What was the reaction like your first time back at your home gym after you won the championship? Are there any perks of being champion? A closer parking spot perhaps?

LM: HA! I usually park on the sidewalk anyway ;) I got a lot of hugs from my team mates and a lot of kids wanted to hold it and wear it, but other than that, people treat me pretty much the sameโ€ฆ.I really only try to associate with good, positive people anyway, sooooโ€ฆโ€ฆitโ€™s hard to tell a difference!!ย  I can tell my coaches are proud are proud of me, and that means a lot. A big part of me fights hard to make them proud, because they take so much time with me.

LM: Other than that, I noticed I basically have a big target on my back now, because everyone wants to be able to say they beat up the champ, whether itโ€™s kickboxing, BJJ, wrestling, whatever. So I basically have to work twice as hard and take much more punishment. Itโ€™s really a good thing I like that sort of stuff ;)

CS: Lastly, it takes a team to succeed alone inside the cage. Who would you like to thank?

LM: I want to thank Gracie Barra Katy. My coaches Pat Applegate, Alex Cisne, and Aaron Pena have brought me a long way in the last year. In one year they turned me into the fighter I am, and thatโ€™s pretty amazing. Pat especially has put in a TON of time with me. I am so grateful to him and to his family.

LM: ย My husband has also been a huge support to me through all of this. Heโ€™s amazing, and I absolutely would not be here if it werenโ€™t for him.

LM: ย My team mates at GBK are awesome; the belt, as well as my last four victories, are theirs as much as mine. They are a phenomenal team and I love them like brothers.