Being on the sidelines for Invicta FC 5, did not sit well with Veronica Rothenhausler. An undisclosed injury forced her off the card, but at Invicta FC 6 on July 13th, she will get a chance to face off with her original opponent, Mollie Estes.
With all of her amateur and professional bouts ending in victory via KO or TKO, Rothenhausler possesses rare knockout power. Veronica plans to use her power, and training at Team Alpha Male, to rise straight to the top of Invicta’s Featherweight division.
Corey Smith: You were scheduled to return to Invicta this past April, but withdrew after a training camp injury. Can you reveal the nature of the injury and how it occurred? Have you fully recovered at this point?
Veronica Rothenhausler: Yes, I have fully recovered and haven’t had any issues with it since.
CS: How anxious are you to return to the cage after the injury? How soon after the injury were you able to resume training?
VR: It was really hard to sit on the side lines for IFC5, but Estes was pulled to fight Budd before I had made the decision to get an MRI. I’ve been waiting for this fight for six months. I can’t wait to get in there.
CS: With all of your amateur bouts, along with your lone professional bout ending via first round knockout, how do you maintain motivation to train for a full three rounds?
VR: I’ve never known any champion to train for only one round.
CS: You train at Team Alpha Male, where Duane Ludwig recently began coaching. Many Team Alpha Male members have credited Ludwig with an increase in wins for the team. What has Ludwig brought to the team in your opinion?
VR: Duane Bang has changed my life, as a fighter and as a person. That guy is like a hilarious Mr. Miyagi. The boys and I work hard as hell and do whatever it takes to win, so adding the knowledge of Bang is a deadly combination. He’s the best in the world at what he does. We’re very thankful to call him ours!
CS: What is the best advice you have received from a veteran member of Team Alpha Male?
VR: I’ve learned so much from all of them, there’s no way I could pin point just one piece. I’m crazy about my dudes, they’re the best. They’re also super funny and the hardest working people I’ve ever come across.
CS: You will be facing off against Mollie Estes in your return to the Invicta cage on July 13th. How familiar are you with Estes? Do you anticipate any sort of hometown advantage for her, as she lives and trains in Kansas City?
VR: I introduced myself to her at IFC5. She was cool. I got to see her fight Budd. It doesn’t matter what city we’re in, once we step into that cage it’s my world.
CS: What are your thoughts on the 145lb division in Invicta with the returns of both Cris Cyborg and Marloes Coenen?
VR: I love it! We’ve got eyes where I want em’. The 145ers are comin’ in heavy handed and giving the crowd what they want. Cyborg and Coenen are bad ass vets and I am very appreciative of them for building the foundation of this weight class. That being said, there’s a new kid on the block and I won’t stop until I’m on top.
CS: What are your goals for the remainder of 2013 in Invicta FC?
VR: I want to evolve into everything that I know I’m capable of.
CS: Excluding fight prep, how much MMA do you watch purely for enjoyment? Any fellow Invicta athletes that you are a fan of?
VR: I pretty much eat, breathe and sleep MMA. I’m always trying to learn more. My dad always told me to watch the best and see how they do it.
VR: Invicta is like one big family. Pretty much everyone that I’ve met has been cool. I’ve found a long lost sister in my girl Thug. She’s a stud. I’m also a fan of Jo Jo.
CS: Lastly, MMA is as much a team sport as it is an individual one. Who would you like to thank?
VR: I want to thank my mom and dad. I wouldn’t be here without them. Haha, get it?
VR: I also want to thank my boyfriend, Zach. He’s a dream come true.
VR: My coach and my team- we’re takin over boys!
VR: I’d like to thank my sponsors as well- BANG Muay Thai, PatinoDiet.com, Torque, UNBREAKABLEMOUTHPIECES.com. You all make it possible for me to live my dream.
VR: I also want to thank Invicta for doing what people said was impossible! Shannon, Janet and the rest of the IFC family.