Trying to prove critics and herself wrong, Cassie Robb originally got into MMA five short years ago, and has been hooked ever since. Losing her first amateur bout via submission, Robb quickly decided she wanted to be a well rounded fighter, and has worked nonstop since to develop a strong grappling game to compliment her boxing.
Cassie “The Hulk” Robb smashes her way back into the Invicta FC cage on July 13th, at Invicta FC 6 when she faces off against fellow prospect Livia Von Plettenberg.
Corey Smith: You originally got into MMA after seeing your first female fight at a local card in Wyoming. What was it that sparked your desire to begin training in MMA?
Cassie Robb: I think the fact that nobody thought I could do it was a big push for me to give it a shot. I wasn’t even sure if I could do it, but I wanted to try it anyway! It looked like so much fun!
CS: After only a few weeks of boxing training, you decided to take your first amateur fight. What led you to believe you were ready for that fight? What was your goal going into that fight?
CR: To be honest I wasn’t sure if I was ready. Like you mentioned I only trained for about 2 weeks at a boxing gym, then I heard of some fights in Cheyenne and thought I’d give it a shot.
CR: I was confident that my boxing skills and my natural instincts would kick in. I learned not to take a fight without the proper training, that it’s something you have to work hard for, it’s not just given to you.
CS: How did you career progress after those first few amateur fights? What lessons did you learn?
CR: After losing my first fight to a submission, I decided I REALLY didn’t like how it felt to be submitted. I hated that I had to give up and tap out. From then on I worked my butt off to become a better grappler, and all my victories are by way of submission. I learned that it’s not smart to just get in there and try to do something like that without the proper training.
CS: Your fiancée, Stephanie Skinner, is also an MMA athlete. Some athletes have said that it is beneficial having a partner that is also a combat sports athlete, while others have said it can be stressful, especially if there is shared training. Do you believe it is beneficial on a personal and professional level?
CR: I believe that it is beneficial in both ways. Training with my fiancée Stephanie is a privilege. She is an amazing fighter and I look up to her more than she even knows.
CS: Where do you train now? What type of atmosphere do you have in your gym?
CR: I train with the Serial Boxe Killers. The atmosphere is amazing. My teammates are awesome, we are like one big family and we have a great time training together! I have some very talented people that I train with, and I am lucky to be part of such a skilled group!
CS: Where did the nickname “The Hulk” come from? How do you feel it is appropriate for your fighting style?
CR: Haha I love being asked this! Around the time that I started fighting, the new Hulk movie with one of my favorite actors (Edward Norton) came out. I saw that movie and was obsessed….I felt like I could relate a lot to the character. I’m very calm, collected, and easy going….but once you get my adrenaline pumping, I turn into a beast!
CS: Your opponent on July 13th, Livia Von Plettenberg, will be dropping down to 105lbs for the first time. Do you feel like this could affect the outcome of the fight? How familiar are you with Livia?
CR: I don’t think that the weight matters honestly, its how you use it. I have fought girls bigger than me before that I could easily muscle off of me because they didn’t know how to keep themselves heavy or use their weight properly in that position. It all comes down to skill and who is the better fighter. I am not very familiar with her aside from her fight with Joanne Calderwood that I saw when I fought on the same show. I kept thinking, “dang that girl is TOUGH!”
CS: What is your mood like on fight night? Do you prefer to be left alone or to interact with others? Any routines that you have to perform?
CR: I get very anxious the night of my fight. I like to kick back and relax with my teammates and only interact with a small amount of people to let them know how I’m doing and the outcome of my fight.
CS: Who generally accompanies you to the cage? What type of feedback are you looking for from your corners?
CR: My two coaches Ben Schissler and Diana Rael accompany me to the cage along with my physician Dr. Alex Constantinides.
CR: I am just looking for them to help me through it like they always do, they have done this for a long time and I trust and have faith in every move they tell me to make. Diana to me has a very distinct voice, I can hear Ben also but for some reason Diana’s voice really sticks out and I hear her better than anyone else.
CR: I look up to her a lot too and its comforting to know she can help get me out of any bad position that I am in, so I really rely on her if I get stuck. I try to tune out the crowd and listen to for her or Ben to tell me the next move to make.
CS: Outside of the cage, what types of activities do you enjoy? Any favorite TV shows that you never miss?
CR: I really enjoy spending time with friends and family, and my pit bull Marlei. I don’t really watch much TV though.
CS: Finally, MMA is as much a team sport as it is an individual one. Who would you like to thank?
CR: I would like to thank all my teammates, including Stephanie Skinner, Ben Schissler, Diana Rael , Ali Hanjani, Nathan Gates, Steve Paprocki, Steve Johnson, Samuel Gilmore, Kevin Powers, Luke Rutz, William Ellis, Rosa Acevedo, Matt Peckham, and our newest addition to the team Matthew Cox.
CR: I would also like to thank my physician who takes the time off to come and doctor my fights, Dr. Alex Constantinides.
CR: A big thanks to my family, friends, and fans out there as well!!:) I wouldn’t be where I am without this great support system!