Fighting Words: Cindy Dandois

by Interviews

Relying on faith and hard work, Belgium’s Cindy Dandois makes her United States debut November 1st at Invicta FC 9 against veteran Kaitlin Young.

 

 

Corey Smith: You initially took up martial arts as path to greater fitness. At what point did it occur to you that martial arts might be more than fitness to you?

Cindy Dandois: Well I started to beat some boys of my weight class after a short while of training during grappling practice, in my gym Perfect Team. That’s my brother’s gym. I started MMA because that was the easiest way. My brother had his own gym so I did not have to pay and I could go whenever I liked it. I had two kids that time so time management was important.

CD: My brother told me after a month I should do amateur fights. That was good for me because actually I am kind of lazy. If I don’t find any competition in it is difficult for me to train hard. My brother searched for fights but in Europe there are almost no girls at my weight class, and if they are it was in other countries. After a few months they asked my brother if I could fight Marloes. After this fight I could go back to amateurs they told me. Cause nobody expected me to win. I was like, ok that’s a great experience, let’s try it out. The rest is history.

 

 

CS: Along with fighting Coenen, you had never even worn gloves before. What was the experience like for you?

CD: I started training in my brother’s gym in September and my fight against Marloes was January.  I knew about 8 weeks before the fight I had to fight her. So I was training about 4 months in total and 8 weeks of good preparation, and I never had an MMA fight before, including amateur fights.  I had never worn gloves in the years before either.

CD: But when I was younger I did judo for years. I guess that helped me a lot. I have no competition stress. I go, I fight because I like it and I go home. My brother, who is also my coach, does the stressing part for me. HAHA.

CD: When I started training I was weighing about 180lbs. I really needed to lose weight and I was like, ok this fight is a goal. It was set for 154lbs and the day of weigh-ins I was about 152lbs. That already was a big win for me, the fighting part was fun. I had nothing to lose and nothing to prove. I was the 0-0 nobody as they called me. I know they just asked me for that fight to get beaten up, because they paid me almost nothing, I was a cheap and easy walk over they thought, and to make Marloes shine they could use me!

CD: The moment I got the first hit by Marloes I was like, ok, I can do this. That time it didn’t felt that hard. I wasn’t really surprised by her power. Also on the ground I felt good. I love to fight on the ground. But at the end I still think that Marloes was the overall better fighter that time, just she could not show it in that fight.

CD: I think she underestimated me big time. She thought it would be an easy win cause of my totally no experience. I surprised her I guess already from the first throw and my ground game was more solid than she expected. Of course her striking is better and on paper she is better, but guess what, sometimes you meet the wrong person at the wrong time. Anyway it was a great experience to fight Marloes. I am happy I did it.

 

 

CS: You hail from Belgium, rather rare in MMA. What is the MMA community like in Belgium and Europe in general?

CD: It is very difficult to find fights in Europe and in Belgium it is even worse! It’s already hard for the boys but for the girls it is almost impossible in Belgium. You can’t live from fighting.  For example, I got 300 Euros to fight Marloes, without expenses to drive to Holland. The government doesn’t support it all.

CD: They say that MMA is an aggressive brutal sport and where they can boycott they will. We weren’t allowed to use a cage for years. With the hard work of some people we finally got that right. But still it is not that big as in US at all. If you say to people I do MMA, a lot of them don’t even know what it is.

 

 

CS: Along with being a professional fighter, you are a full time teacher. How do you balance out everything?

CD: I am a full time teacher and a full time single mommy of three kids. Actually I don’t know how I do it. It’s like I am always busy. I do it for my kids, but I have to say I couldn’t do it without the help of my family. I wake up in de morning, prepare the kids for school, bring them, go to my job, pick them up in the evening, feed them, make homework, bring my youngest to my aunty and I go with the kids to training.

CD: I train when they do kids classes. My kids love the sport too. Luckily!  Sometimes I go and sit down about 10 in the evening and I feel so dead. And then I still have to prepare my classes for the next day, even when I feel like there is nothing left in me, total battery low. It all goes by on automatic pilot. If I miss one step in my day planning that means stress all day.

CD: The only reason why I still really want to do this all is because I hope to provide my kids a better life with it. I love fighting, but my family comes first. Every month is a financial struggle. Maybe I can give them something more by fighting. Maybe I can give them the knowledge that when life hits you hard, you can hit back. And with the will of God and hard work they can reach anything they want.

 

 

CS: Some fighters believe dating a fellow fighter can be a positive, while others prefer someone not involved in MMA. Where do you fall on the subject?

CD: Oh, I really don’t know. I am the best in choosing wrong partners. I like to have a relationship where the man is the man and the woman is the woman. I like the normal way, like the wife takes care of the kids, cooks, takes care of the house, she can work but the man has to work too etc. And the man fixes things and works, it’s the woman’s task to make his sandwiches and put his slippers ready when he comes home.

CD: In the house the man should be the boss, and the woman should be his guide. A woman has to take care for her man and a man has to respect his wife as he respects his own body, because we are made of his rib. I like how it was years ago but now I feel like women don’t know their place anymore and men either. I would love to find a partner who understands me in the sport and supports me but I would never take his place as a man. I really don’t know what’s better at the end, someone involved in MMA or not. I don’t care actually. I would already be happy to find a man, marry and have a normal family and a normal situation without violence and cheating.

 

 

CS: Your Invicta FC debut will be November 1st, at Invicta FC 9. The fan support shown requesting to see you fight was some of the strongest we had seen. What does that type of fan support mean to you?

CD: I was so surprised by the support I got from my fans. That meant a lot to me. Before I came to the US to train with Miesha I had already put my gloves far away. I was training some Jui Jitsu to remain active so I could teach the kids classes in our gym but I had no idea I would go back to fighting again. If it was not for Miesha and Bryan, who encouraged me to fight again I don’t think I would’ve done it.

CD: You see with the kids, training is like a luxury. If I get paid 300 Euros for a fight, and I have to pay my proteins, my material, my gas and parking money, etc. I lose instead of win money. That money should go to my kids first. So I decided to give it one more shot, after long talks with Miesha, and I saw all these people still having my back. Still wanting to see me come back, that gave me an extra boost. I am very grateful to have all this support.

 

 

CS: Your opponent at Invicta FC 9, Kaitlin Young, is an aggressive and exciting athlete. How familiar are you with Young?

CD: Of course I know Kaitlin. Not personally of course but I’ve been following her fights for years. I admire her striking and kicking a lot. She always brings good fights. Her fights with Leslie Smith were awesome! I was happy when I heard I could fight her because I will try to give her my best and I know for sure she will do the same thing so it will be an exciting fight.

 

 

CS: What is your mood on fight night? Do you have any routines or superstitions that you have to perform?

CD: I don’t feel stress for fighting. I love to fight. All the hard work is already done during training and during cutting weight. The fight itself is enjoyable. Who wins is in God’s hands, I am not scared to lose. I go to win and what’s more I can do it.

CD:  I don’t have time to worry or to think what if, I don’t have any routines but praying. I pray not to win my fight, but to come out of it safe and healthy. I can not ask God for to win a fight. It is all in God’s hands the moment I enter the cage.

CD: He has seen me during training and He will decide if I deserve a win or not. All I can do is try my very best and show what I can do, the only person I really need by my side during a fight is my brother Ben. We started this journey together years ago by taking a jump to fight Marloes, and we will finish it together

 

 

CS: Who generally accompanies you to the cage? What type of feedback and coaching do you prefer from your corners?

CD: I can use more coaches but the most important one is my brother. My brother is my coach, my brother by blood and my best friend. There is nobody who can replace him, and he stresses so much before my fights, even more then before his own, that I feel I don’t even have to stress.

CD: He does the stressing and worrying part for me! Lol.  Also my brother knows me the best in the world. He knows where I am strong and he knows where I am weak. He knows what he can ask me and I will hear his voice above every other. I know he will always have the best intentions with me, and of course we argue sometimes during training but at the end I know, my brother knows best.

 

 

CS: Outside of the gym and MMA, what types of activities do you enjoy for fun? What helps you to relax?

CD: Outside the cage I am a real housewife and mommy. I love to cook and take care of my family. If I find myself a husband one day I will spoil him to death! Haha. I can’t wait ;-)

CD: I like to watch Disney movies, I love second hand markets, I love spending time with my kids, my brother’s kids and his wife, my grandmother (the best grandmother ever), father, and the rest of my family.

CD: Also I enjoy teaching the kids classes in our gym. When my kids do competition and they do well, that makes me more proud then anything in the world.

CD: And on Sundays I love to go to church, that’s my time to thank God for all he does in my life. For getting me through difficult situations, to make my path for me, to help me raise my kids. God is always by my side and Jesus is my savior. When everything looks dark, God is my light. Shows me that I have so much to be happy for!

CD: So I could say that God, my family and Disney makes me happy and relaxed ;-).

 

 

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

CD: I would like to thank my brother for his endless support and friendship.

CD: I would like to thank my father for all the hours he spends in the Judo gym with me when I was a kid and my grandmother for always being there, supporting and listening to me when I feel down.

CD: I would like to thank my aunty Kim and my nieces Maddy and Sally for helping me out with babysitting when I have to train.

CD: Also I would like to thank Miesha and Bryan for supporting me getting back to fighting and Shannon for wanting me in Invicta.

CD: I want to say thanks to all my fans for the faith they have in me.

CD: And finally I also want to thank God and Jesus Christ for always having my back and for looking out for me and my kids.

 

Invicta FC 9 takes place November 1st live from the  RiverCenter in Davenport, Iowa.

Tickets are on sale via the Ticketmaster link below.

The full card will air live via UFC Fight Pass. Click below to subscribe to UFC FightPass.

 

 

 

 

ticketmasterlogo

 

 

UFC-Fight-Pass

 

Fighting Words: Amber Brown

by Interviews

Chomping at the bit to enter the Invicta FC cage, Amber Brown gets her wish November 1st at Invicta FC 9 when she will compete against Liz McCarthy live on UFC FightPass.

 

 

Corey Smith: You first began training in mixed martial arts in 2009 when you took up boxing as means to get in shape. What were those first few months of training like for you? What made you want to take it further?

Amber Brown: Back in 2009, when I first came to Fit-Nhb, it was a different experience for me. I was never involved in any combat sports growing up. It took a bit to get used to, the workouts, getting punched in the face, etc.

AB: I had teammates fighting on amateur boxing/kickboxing smokers at the gym, so that made me want to try it, and go out there and compete.

 

 

CS: Originally you were strictly a boxer, with several amateur bouts and one pro bout. Aside from obvious rule differences, what are the main differences between boxing and MMA?

AB: With boxing and MMA, you have to work hard either way. However, they are both way different. Boxing has limited tools; it may take a lot longer to finish fights. You don’t have to worry about any weapons except the hands.

AB:  In MMA, you have a way bigger arsenal. You can finish a fight a lot quicker. Also it’s a way different cardio!

 

 

CS: What were your initial thoughts when the Invicta FC FightPass distribution deal was announced?

AB: I was super excited to hear that Invicta signed a deal to air on FightPass. I knew something was in the works, but to find out that it was with the UFC is awesome!

 

 

CS: Your last bout was in July of 2013, more than a year before your bout on November 1st at Invicta FC 9. Do you have any concerns with ring rust?

AB: I am not worried about ring rust at all. I am just totally ready to get in there and fight! I have been in the gym the entire time, working on things, just staying ready. I will be more than ready.

 

 

CS: Your opponent at Invicta FC 9, Liz McCarthy brings a similar level of experience along with a background in boxing. What are you expecting out of the bout?

AB: I can’t say how the fight with Liz will play out; I just know that it will be a WAR!!

 

 

CS: What is your mood on fight night? Do you have any routines or superstitions that you have to perform?

AB: On fight night, there aren’t usually things I have to do. Throughout the day, I try to stay calm, relaxed, and totally focused. I imagine everything. Warming up, walking out, the crowd, walking in the cage, and the fight itself.

AB: Usually on fight day my mood is: Ready!

 

 

CS: Who generally accompanies you to the cage? What type of feedback and coaching do you prefer from your corners?

AB: My coach, mentor, and other mother Arlene Sanchez has been with me every fight. She usually accompanies me to the cage, and/or Tom Vaughn and wrestling coach Jon Judy. I prefer honest, straight up coaching. I want them to tell it exactly how it is, no beating around the bush.

 

 

CS: Aside from fight preparation, how much MMA do you watch purely for enjoyment?

AB: I am always watching fights or something MMA related. I really enjoy watching it!

 

 

CS: Outside of the gym and MMA, what types of activities do you enjoy for fun? What helps you to relax?

AB: Aside from the gym, I love to be with my husband and my daughter. Outdoors, I love nature, hikes, camping. But I am ALWAYS in the gym!

 

 

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

AB: Without the help of my husband, my whole Wildbunch family, my coaches Tom and Arlene, Jon Judy, and all of my sponsors, none of this would be possible. Unleashed Sports Nutrition, Damage Control Mouthguards, Mei-Li Fighting, and Xionx.

AB: And most of all INVICTA FC!!!

 

Invicta FC 9 takes place November 1st live from the  RiverCenter in Davenport, Iowa.

Tickets are on sale via the Ticketmaster link below.

The full card will air live via UFC Fight Pass. Click below to subscribe to UFC FightPass.

 

 

 

 

ticketmasterlogo

 

 

UFC-Fight-Pass

 

Fighting Words: Amanda Bell

by Interviews

Believing that the mind plays as big a part of a battle as her fists, Amanda Bell has set her mind on her next target at Invicta FC 9 November 1st; Denmark’s Maria Hougaard-Djursaa.

 

 

Corey Smith: What initially started you on the mixed martial arts path? What were those first few months of training like for you?

Amanda Bell: Well my first sensei, I got started with him when I was a teenager. He was teaching me Shotokan Karate, Tai Chi, and a couple other disciplines all at one school. His basis, I realized later on was almost like mixed martial arts. We didn’t have that MMA idea, but that was how he did it. We had our stand up, we had our grappling, and had our offense and defense.

 

 

AB: At the time I had always been really into martial arts, and my mom never let me do it because she assumed I would turn into a bully if I went into a karate class. So I didn’t get to start until I was a teenager, but it was a very traditional class; which I adapted to. You come in and bow, and it was taught in Japanese. So there were a lot of educational things that came from doing that. I loved that.

AB: When it came to cage fighting and the actual competition of it, I used to think cage fighting was stupid. I didn’t get, because I was in that traditional martial arts class. When I actually started paying attention to cage fighting and MMA, I really just started to eat it up. I started to break it apart and really analyze it and observe what was going on. I started to really digest it, and realized it was something I could do. It was everything that I already knew.

 

 

CS: You had an extensive and impressive amateur career, was there anything in particular that  stood out during your time as an amateur?

AB: Well I had a really good run for a long time. My best win was off of Jessamyn Duke. When I fought her in Kentucky and took her title belt that was my second fight at 145. But really what would stand out about my amateur career was the weight change that I went through. My very first fight was a non sanctioned fight at 195 lbs.

AB: It was this outdoor, backwoods fight and ever since I started building up to bigger promotions. The biggest thing was the win over Duke; I went pro after that because I couldn’t get anyone to fight me. And the fact that I came from almost 200 pounds all the way down to 145 was pretty big.

 

 

CS: After your amateur career what led to the decision to turn professional when you did?

AB: Well when I started going through my amateur career Women’s MMA wasn’t such a huge thing. I wasn’t paying very close attention. I didn’t know that women could go professional with it. I’d always watched the UFC, but I never knew there was a spot available for women. I had no idea. For me it was something that I was just doing for fun, I didn’t really expect to go pro. When I realized that there was something more, I kind of questioned if it was for me.

AB: As time went on, I started to weigh myself on the idea of turning pro, and at the end I wanted it.  I went pro faster than I wanted to, because I did want to stay amateur for a little bit longer. It was getting to the point though that it was either go pro or get left behind.

 

 

CS: Your first two professional bouts were losses against high level competition, before you rebounded with two wins. What lessons did you learn in those first two losses?

AB: I learned a lot of psychology. That was the biggest thing for me was having those eyes on you compared to being an amateur. It freaked me out. With those two fights, they were fights I felt I could have easily won.  I know if I had been smarter about it, I could have won those fights. Psychologically though, I shelled up. I knew that it was something that was going to come into play somewhere in my career. That was part of the reason I was afraid to go pro, I wasn’t confident to do something that big. But in my head, I think I made it something bigger than it needed to be.

AB: That was my biggest lesson, was how to get in there, shut my brain off, and just fight. I learned a lot about what I needed to work on in my game. That first fight against Tamikka [Brents], it intimidated me because I had watched her for so long, and she just finished girls in such a devastating way. She reminded me of me, I felt like I was fighting myself. I told myself that if I couldn’t fight her, how could I fight anyone better or bigger? I just bit the bullet, and went in and it wasn’t as bad as thought it would be. I stood with someone who finished people in the first round, and we went all the way to decision so I started to look at myself as having more ability than I gave myself credit for.

AB: If you can handle a loss, you can come back stronger and better for it.

 

 

CS: Your opponent at Invicta FC 9, Maria Hougaard-Djursaa, brings an extensive record into the cage with her. How familiar are you with Djursaa? What are you expecting out the bout?

AB: I don’t know a lot about her. I got word of her being a potential opponent and I sat down and starting doing some research on her. I don’t know a heck of a lot about her career or background, but I have been doing my homework.

AB: I don’t go into the fight thinking what I’ve seen in the past is what she is going to come in with. She might be better than the video I watched or she fixed this or that, but I come in thinking she could be completely different from what I’m studying.

AB: They are probably studying you, so you have to do something different. It’s the yin and the yang.

 

 

CS: What is your mood on fight night? Do you have any routines or superstitions that you have to perform?

AB: My rituals are kind of strange. Music is a big one, but it depends on the type of music. I used to listen to a lot of heavy stuff to get you pumped up, but I realized that it got my energy on a strange frequency. I was as chaotic as the music.  I realized the right type of music puts you in the right type of rhythm. My coach teaches that, music we put on at the gym it’s something that keeps us in the right frame of mind without over amping us up.

AB: I have some spiritual rituals that I keep private, but it does have a lot to do with meditation and things that I believe in.  I do pay attention to omens, good or bad, so I break them apart and read them. Elements and signs are a big thing I pay attention to. I can feel that beast inside me wake up, and if I don’t I know something is wrong.

 

 

CS: Who generally accompanies you to the cage? What type of feedback and coaching do you prefer from your corners?

AB: I’ve switched a lot of different coaches since the time I was an amateur to pro. With my coach, Enoch Wilson, I feel like we have a connection. When I get in that cage, it’s like we are synced. He gets that believe it achieve mindset in me.  Coach Enoch isn’t super complicated; he’s very simple, very direct. I think that’s what coaches need, is to have that mental connection with their students. That comes from the student trusting the coach, trusting their advice.

 

 

CS: Aside from fight preparation, how much MMA do you watch purely for enjoyment?

AB: I probably don’t tune in as much as I should. It’s one of those things where if someone has the fights on, I’ll sit and I’ll watch. But I miss more PPV’s than anything; I don’t really watch that much TV. I don’t indulge it too much MMA on the outside. I live, breathe, and sleep this life, so if I am watching a fight it can get me overexcited; like if I am fighting. It’s more than just a mundane sport, it’s a connection, and I feel the fight. Sometimes I have to walk away, because it’s a lot of energy that I expel for no reason at all.

AB: I keep my MMA life my MMA life, and my outside life my outside life. When I come home or go out on the weekends, I don’t really like to talk about it. It also helps me to judge when I meet new people who is worth knowing and who is not. If I throw the fighter thing out there right away, you don’t know if that’s the reason why they want to be friends.

 

 

CS: Outside of the gym and MMA, what types of activities do you enjoy for fun? What helps you to relax?

AB: I used to do a lot more, but I guess the fast pace of the life because of MMA has mellowed me out on the outside. I try to take part in things that are a little more low impact on my mind. I like the longboard, so if I can find an area where the streets are really empty I like to just skate and cruise. I like to sit down and watch movies; just be around people that I love and am friends with.

AB: I think the biggest the thing is I have to sacrifice time with these people, and I like to do things with them when I can. I’ve gotten real into reading, or I will take the bus into downtown and walk around just for the hell of it. I take a lot of quiet time.

 

 

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

AB: First and foremost I want to say hi to my mom! I put her through hell with all of this, and she has come around a lot since I started doing it.

AB: Thank you to all my friends back in California that I don’t see very often. They are always my biggest supporters and always checking in on me.

AB: Jason Ellis, my manager, of MMA United Sports Entertainment. Him and all those guys have been great to me.

AB:  All my teammates, we grind it out together, and support each other. We really try to teach each other.

AB: My sponsors: Unique Kennels, Alkame Water, MMA United, Americana, Bearcat Tactical, US Crane and Hoist, Animals MMA Fitness and Nutrition, and hoping to have NuBreed Nutrition come on for this fight.

AB: My coach Enoch Wilson, a brother from another mother.

AB: Thank you to Shannon Knapp for putting me back into the line of the army she is creating. I owe a lot to her for giving me all I have.

AB: Everyone that has donated to my FundMe page, I want to say thank you to everyone that has supported me there.

AB:  Doc Howie XionX band, he’s a great guy, who just started sponsoring me.

AB:  All my friends and family that have supported me over the past few years, thank you.

 

Invicta FC 9 takes place November 1st live from the  RiverCenter in Davenport, Iowa.

Tickets are on sale via the Ticketmaster link below.

The full card will air live via UFC Fight Pass. Click below to subscribe to UFC FightPass.

 

 

 

 

ticketmasterlogo

 

 

UFC-Fight-Pass

 

Fighting Words: Maria Hougaard-Djursaa

by Interviews

Venturing out from Europe for the first time, Denmark’s Maria Hougaard-Djursaa is eager to face the top level talent of Invicta FC, and her first opportunity will come in the form of Amanda Bell November 1st at Invicta FC 9.

 

 

Corey Smith: You initially began down the martial arts path when you took up Muay Thai. What led you to Muay Thai? What were those first experiences like?

Maria Hougaard-Djursaa: Actually, I saw an article in a newspaper and decided to try Muay Thai. I just loved it right away and from then on I was hooked.

 

 

CS: How long were you training exclusively in Muay Thai before adding in other martial arts? What prompted you to branch out?

MHD: About a year and half. My ex husband, he started training MMA and I followed.

 

 

CS: You have faced off against some of the top talent in all of Europe. What do you think that level of competition has done for your overall skill level?

MHD: It pushed me to develop, so you can say they made me the fighter I am today. The level in Europe is very high and all my fights have been tough.

 

 

CS: Your bout at Invicta FC 9 on November 1st will be your first outside of Europe. Do you anticipate any extra challenges? Anything you look forward to doing while in the United States?

MHD: I am very good at adapting, so I do not think it will be that different for me to fight in the United States. I really look forward to meeting the other female fighters in real life.

 

 

CS: What are your initial goals within the Invicta FC Featherweight division?

MHD: I want to show that I belong there. Fighting the best females in the world. Be the best version of me.

 

 

CS: On November 1st, you will step into the Invicta FC cage for the first time against Amanda Bell. What are you expecting out of the matchup?

MHD: I think this is a great matchup. We both come to fight, and no doubt, we could make “Fight of the Night”. Amanda is a tough opponent and I really look forward stepping in the cage with her.

 

 

CS: What is your mood on fight night? Do you have any routines or superstitions that you have to perform?

MHD: I just want to walk around alone so I can focus.

 

 

CS: Who generally accompanies you to the cage? What type of feedback and coaching do you prefer from your corners?

MHD:  My coaches. I like short sentences. Most of the time I know what to do, but I need my coaches voice to keep me calm and collected.

 

 

CS: Aside from fight preparation, how much MMA do you watch purely for enjoyment?

MHD: As much as I can get away with. Being a single mom and studying along with MMA does not leave much time for anything else.

 

 

CS: Outside of the gym and MMA, what types of activities do you enjoy for fun? What helps you to relax?

MHD: Outside the gym, I just enjoy life with my son Malte. That for me is the best way to relax and have fun. Every other weekend when Malte is with his dad, I use my time spending time with friends and family.

 

 

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

MHD: I would like to thank Malte’s grandparents for helping me take care of him while I train and while I am away for my fights.

MHD: My sponsor’s Claussloth.dk and Fit4fight.dk, and my team Fightgym.dk.

MHD: My coaches David Rosmon, Kasper Topperup Andersen, Morten Hougaard Djursaa and Mikkel Vestergaard Laursen.

MHD: My manager Otto Knudsen, Tue Trnka, my family, friends, the team behind InvictaFC, and last but not least all the fans for believing in me. THANK YOU!!

 

Invicta FC 9 takes place November 1st live from the  RiverCenter in Davenport, Iowa.

Tickets are on sale via the Ticketmaster link below.

The full card will air live via UFC Fight Pass. Click below to subscribe to UFC FightPass.

 

 

 

 

ticketmasterlogo

 

 

UFC-Fight-Pass

 

Fighting Words: Shannon Sinn

by Interviews

Quickly becoming addicted to MMA after her first introduction, Invicta Flyweight Shannon Sinn is ready to prove herself against top shelf competition. Her first challenge; Andrea K. Lee at Invicta FC 9 November 1st.

 

Corey Smith: You initially got involved in mixed martial arts looking for a satisfying workout after a high school career in track and field. What aspect of MMA did you first take up? What were your first impressions?
Shannon Sinn: Initially I took to grappling. It just clicked with me. I loved it. I was excited to enter as many tournaments as I could. It was finally a way to compete again.

 
CS: Most fighters have a home gym, along with several others that they may train one specific aspect of MMA at. Where are you currently training?
SS: I am training out of Grinders Submission Fighting in Thornton, CO.

 

 

CS: After roughly a three year amateur career, you turned professional in 2014. What were the main lessons you learned as an amateur?

SS: I would have to say I learned to have patience. I struggled getting fights and/or losing opponents my first 2 1/2 years. I had to learn that although I wasn’t always getting to fight at the end of a long camp I was still advancing and becoming a better fighter.
 

CS: What led to the decision to turn professional this year?

SS: I decided to turn pro because I believed there would be a lot more opportunity to get fights and because I’m not getting any younger.
 

CS: After two pro fights, what are the major differences between being an amateur and a professional?

SS: I have already had many more fight offers as a professional than I did as an amateur. Getting paid to do something I was going to do anyway is also a perk!
 

CS: After signing with Invicta FC, what are initial goals within the organization?

SS: I want to show the organization that I am a good fit by putting on great/exciting fights. I also want to come out and win my debut.

 

 

CS: How has your experience been like thus far with the company?

SS: So far everything has been great. They are on top of everything and are in constant communication with my camp.
 

CS: For your Invicta FC debut, you face off against Andrea K. Lee at Invicta FC 9 on November 1st, what do you believe is the key to your matchup?

SS: I’m going to have to stick to my game plan. I think this is a great match up for all of the fight fans.
 

CS: What is your mood on fight night? Do you have any routines or superstitions that you have to perform?

SS: On fight night I am typically pretty calm.  Luckily I am not superstitious. I can’t imagine having to worry about other routines outside of the fight. I have had teammates who were over the top with superstitions and it was exhausting to watch.

 
CS: Who generally accompanies you to the cage? What type of feedback and coaching do you prefer from your corners?
SS: At the cage I have my head trainer/ boyfriend Albert Rosales, my ground coach Brian Zehler, and either my stand up coach Rick Lopez or teammate Joey Welch.

SS: They all play perfect roles in the locker room and cage side. I have a couple that are really good at hyping me up and another who keeps me calm in focused.

SS: I like honest coaching in the corner. If I’m losing the fight, I want to know that. I don’t want it sugar coated.
 

CS: Aside from fight preparation, how much MMA do you watch purely for enjoyment?

SS: I watch a ton of MMA. I am at every local fight in Colorado and don’t usually miss an event that is televised. Slightly addicted??

 

CS: Outside of the gym and MMA, what types of activities do you enjoy for fun? What helps you to relax?

SS: I enjoy running, weekend getaways, and going to other sporting events. Hanging out with my family seems to balance everything out for me. I love spending time with them.

 
CS: Lastly, MMA takes a team to succeed alone inside the cage. Who would you like to thank?
SS: Albert has been the key to my success. I also have to thank my teammates, friends, family, all my coaches, my sponsors, and lastly Jeff Cisneros for going out of his way to find, and more often than not, fly in opponents to fight.

Invicta FC 9 takes place November 1st live from the  RiverCenter in Davenport, Iowa.

Tickets are on sale via the Ticketmaster link below.

The full card will air live via UFC Fight Pass. Click below to subscribe to UFC FightPass.

 

 

 

 

ticketmasterlogo

 

 

UFC-Fight-Pass

 

Fighting Words: Andrea K. Lee

by Interviews

Relentlessly pursuing her goal of winning a world title in MMA, Invicta newcomer Andrea Lee steps into the cage November 1st at Invicta FC 9.

Squaring off against fellow newcomer Shannon Sinn, Lee is determined to continue her ascent to the top of the MMA mountain.

 

 

Corey Smith: As a waitress at a popular sports restaurant, you were exposed to MMA on a regular basis, which eventually led to trying out the sport yourself. What aspect of mixed martial arts did you first attempt?

Andrea K. Lee: My first area of interest when I began training was boxing. I wanted to compete as quickly as possible so I just focused on one thing in order to get myself ready to compete. I trained for only six months before I had my first boxing match.

 

 

CS: You entered into and won the Louisiana Golden Gloves tournament. What was the experience like?

AKL: My first Boxing match was at the 2010 Louisiana State Golden Gloves Championships.  I advanced to the finals to face a girl who had about 10 fights and years of training experience.

AKL: She caught me with my feet together and dropped me with a straight right hand in the first round. I wasn’t hurt, but embarrassed. After I took my standing 8, I came out like a woman possessed and knocked her out in round 2.

AKL: I ended up winning the state Golden Gloves tournament twice, but I also won the Women’s National Golden Gloves tournament in Dania Beach, Fl, by beating state Golden gloves champions from all over the U.S. No doubt that experience was my proudest moment in boxing.

 

 

CS: Along with the Golden Gloves title, you won multiple Muay Thai titles. Aside from obvious rule differences, what are the main differences between boxing and Muay Thai?

AKL: Shortly after my first boxing match I also began to train in Muay Thai and absolutely fell in love with it. I am a certified Kru Muay and have won national and international Muay Thai titles in the three largest sanctioning bodies in the United States.

AKL: I am also the first fighter to win the Muay Thai Triple Crown by winning the WKA, TBA and IKF titles in the same year.  I left Amateur Muay Thai competition undefeated, a three time world champion and two time North American champion and I was the No 1 ranked Featherweight in the world.

AKL: I enjoy the sport of boxing, but it is so overly officiated its hard for me to feel as though I’m in a “fight” when I’m boxing.  In Muay Thai you get to fight. Clinch, Knee, kick, Dirty box, elbow, Sweep, etc. I feel Muay Thai does a much better job at preparing you for MMA.

 

 

CS: Your training schedule attracted attention even in your amateur career. What does a typical training day look like for you?

AKL: My training schedule is hard for a lot of people to believe. Most people think I’m full of it until they come stay with me to train and then they become believers. I train Tuesday – Friday in two separate 5 1/2 hr blocks.

AKL: Training blocks are separated by a three hour lunch and nap/recovery session.  Saturday and Sunday I train one 4 1/2 hour session. My strength and conditioning are done before my training begins in a dungeon that we like to call “The Penitentiary” lol.

AKL: You have to be an animal to survive an hour in that room with Donny.  I train each individual discipline with equal tenacity.  Nothing is left out of my regimen. Boxing, wrestling, Muay Thai, BJJ, Judo and even Kyokushin Karate, all with world class coaches in each respective discipline.

 

 

CS: You most recently fought September 19th, roughly six weeks before your Invicta FC debut November 1st. Are you at all concerned about the quick turnaround?

AKL:  The fight only lasted 10 seconds. Somehow I managed to kick her index finger off. Yes, off.  Not quite sure how that happened but it was bizarre to say the least.

AKL:  I took a close look at her finger while the doctor was looking at it and it was only on by a small piece of skin.  The doctor quickly stopped it.

AKL: I was pretty disappointed it ended that way, but I obviously didn’t take any damage in 10 seconds so a quick turnaround fight is exactly what I need.

 

 

CS: Your opponent at Invicta FC 9 on November 1st, Shannon Sinn, brings a similar level of professional experience in the ring with her. What do you believe is the key to your matchup?

AKL: I know Shannon is a really solid fighter and I’m certain I’ll get to showcase more of my skill set in that fight.  I believe that Shannon and I are well matched.  I think her stand up skills are good but honestly I don’t think its on my level.

AKL: I know I have the most under rated ground game in WMMA, so I think it’ll be interesting wherever the fight goes. I’d like to stand and bang with her, but at the same time I enjoy a good ground scrap so I’m not going to rely on one skill set.

 

 

CS: What is your mood on fight night? Do you have any routines or superstitions that you have to perform?

AKL: My coach says I’m the only fighter he’s ever seen who can nap before a fight. I think I just lack nervousness and that allows me to stay completely relaxed and not get caught up in the moment.

 

 

CS: Who generally accompanies you to the cage? What type of feedback and coaching do you prefer from your corners?

AKL: My husband is my head coach and he and I really connect while he is wrapping my hands.  Some fighters like music while they are getting wrapped but for me I like to listen to his calming voice go over game plan again and again.

AKL: He is the main voice in my corner and I do a pretty good job of listening most of the time. Lol.  One thing that drives me nuts is when coaches lie to their fighters between rounds.  If I lost the round I want to know.

AKL:  If I’m getting hit with something over and over I want to know why and how to fix it. Donny is the most brutally honest corner man in the world.

AKL: Guys in the gym make jokes about it all the time. “Way to stick your chin straight up in the air Dumb***” or “That was absolutely the worst round I’ve ever seen in my life” are things I’ve heard him say, not necessarily to me. If he doesn’t say much you know you’re winning. Lol.

 

 

CS: Aside from fight preparation, how much MMA do you watch purely for enjoyment?

AKL: We watch a lot of MMA but not necessarily for entertainment. Donny will turn a UFC PPV fight into a coaching session.  But I think that as fighters that’s how we should watch the sport, not for entertainment but for preparation.

 

 

CS: Outside of the gym and MMA, what types of activities do you enjoy for fun? What helps you to relax?

AKL: I am a full-time fighter. I get one rest day per week. I diet and train with equal discipline. When I’m not in the gym I like to spend my rest day with my daughter.  We are too busy for hobbies so a day by the pool or lake is as much relax time as I get.

AKL: I have sacrificed a lot to get here, friendships, family time, recreation and vacations. I am a woman possessed with a dream and a goal and I won’t slow down until I have accomplished all I set out to do and that is to win world titles.

 

 

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

AKL: My journey in this sport would not be possible without unbelievable people and sponsors who have supported me both emotionally and financially.

AKL: Article 15 Clothing, Champion Nutrition, Amber Sports, Martial Arts Life, X-ion-X, Larkin Development, Classic Stone, The Howells at Cash Time, Derek Eason, Michael and Susie McGehee.

AKL: All of my wonderful coaches and training partners at Karate Mafia, Elite Combat, Relson Gracie BJJ and The Dement Bros. Old School Boxing.

AKL: Also to all of the many friends, who have helped along the way, you know who you are and I love you all.

 

Invicta FC 9 takes place November 1st live from the  RiverCenter in Davenport, Iowa.

Tickets are on sale via the Ticketmaster link below.

The full card will air live via UFC Fight Pass. Click below to subscribe to UFC FightPass.

 

 

 

 

ticketmasterlogo

 

 

UFC-Fight-Pass

 

Fighting Words: Kelly McGill

by Interviews

Inspired by Cris Cyborg and Gina Carano’s bout in 2009, Invicta Bantamweight Kelly McGill believes she can accomplish anything she sets her mind to. First up; defeating Maegan Goodwin at Invicta FC 9 November 1st.

 

 

Corey Smith: Your first foray into martial arts came at age fifteen when you dabbled in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. How were those first few years for you? What were your initial struggles?

Kelly McGill: The first few years of just jiu jitsu was awesome. Jiu jitsu will always be my first love. I learned a lot and it definitely helped discipline me as a teenager. Since starting the sport I have become a lot more respectful and self motivated. My initial struggles starting out with just jiu jitsu was how technical it all was.

KM: It definitely isn’t like kickboxing where you can kind of make it your own, you have to do the move right otherwise it doesn’t work. Eventually as you become more experienced you can make jiu jitsu somewhat your own style, but in the beginning remembering hand placement and body positioning was very new to me and challenging.

KM: Also I think getting use to training with mostly males was something very new and different for me.

 

 

 

CS: You have stated that Cyborg v. Carano in 2009 was a catalyst for your belief that MMA must be a lifestyle for you to be successful. What led you to that conclusion?

KM: I really admired Cris Cyborg’s work ethic and self discipline. Cyborg was definitely the reason I wanted to try mixed material arts just because you could see all her hard work pay off in her fights.

KM: Watching the Cyborg vs Carano fight kind of set this “girl power” thing in my mind and I knew that I could do anything I could set my mind to and I thought MMA would definitely be something fun to try out.

 

 

CS: How long did your amateur career last? What were the main lessons you learned during that time?

KM:  I only had 3 fights as an amateur over a five month time period. I was literally going training camp to training camp. By doing that I learned a lot about myself, such as how much drive, determination, and competiveness I actually have in me.

KM: I also learned fight at Flyweight was way  too hard of a weight cut for me and was taking a toll on me and decided to move up to Bantamweight. Most of all, I learned just how much work fighting actually takes and the enjoyment it brings me.

 

 

CS: Amateur MMA can be a bit of a mixed bag. Were there any strange or unusual events that occurred during your amateur career?

KM: My second amateur fight was suppose to be at Bantamweight (135), but 24 hours before weigh ins my opponent backed out and they found me a replacement, which I was grateful for, but the fight would have to be at Flyweight (125). So, in 24 hours I dropped ten pounds and I did make weight on time. That was definitely an experience I will always remember because of how torturous it was. Besides that and lack of finding opponents, nothing too crazy happened.

 

 

CS: After signing with Invicta FC, what goals do you have within the organization? How has your experience been like thus far with the company?

KM: I have a lot of goals I hope to accomplish throughout my Invicta FC career. Of course, become bantamweight weight champion someday. I hope to drastically improve myself each fight throughout this journey.

KM: I hope to become a positive influence to those watching. But as of right now, all I am focused on is my fight on November 1st.

KM: Working with Invicta FC has truly been a dream come true. I literally cried the day Shannon called me because of how much of a dream come true this is for me. Everybody that works with Invicta FC has been so amazing and welcoming toward me and I am extremely grateful for this opportunity.

 

 

CS: Your opponent at Invicta FC, Maegan Goodwin, will be making her professional debut. How familiar are you with Goodwin? What are you expecting out of the bout on November 1st?

KM: I’m not too familiar with Maegan, I have watched a couple videos on her but I don’t really like to focus too much on what my opponent is going to do, rather what I am going to do.

KM: Fighters change and grow after each fight so strictly focusing on video or what she is up to is kind of pointless because I am assuming she has improved since that fight, which could mean her style is different.

KM: The only thing I know for sure is this is the first time I will be fighting somebody taller than me, which I am honestly extremely thrilled about, for the fact that people will be able to see that I have so much more to me than my reach as seen in previous fights, so I am very excited and thrilled to be faced with this height disadvantage challenge.

KM: I’m expecting the fight to stay standing majority, if not the whole fight. It seems like she wants to hit me or something. Haha. Regardless where the fight goes I feel very well prepared. I predict it will definitely be one of the best fights on the card. I am expecting it to be a fun fight!

 

 

CS: What is your mood on fight night? Do you have any routines or superstitions that you have to perform?

KM: I like to be very calm the whole day of the fight. I don’t treat it any differently than a regular day. I like to think of it as just another day at the gym. As the fight comes close the day of the fight I like to joke around and just have a good time.

KM:  I’m not one who gets angry or upset to fight, I just like to be how I am on every other day. I like to use the same bag to carry all my stuff in, I don’t know if that counts as a superstition or not. Besides that, not really.

 

 

CS: Who generally accompanies you to the cage? What type of feedback and coaching do you prefer from your corners?

KM: My corner men for my last fight were amazing. I had my father/manager, Devin McGill, my head coach, Professor Tom Theofanopoulos, and my boyfriend/trainer, Rolando Velasco in my corner.

KM: This time in my corner I will just have Professor Tom and my boyfriend Rolando Velasco in my corner. Throughout my whole camp I prefer criticism in a nice way. I have to have positive feedback, otherwise I have breakdowns like Jessica Penne did on TUF this season. I am a very emotional person and extremely hard on myself so I prefer positive feedback majority of the time.

 

 

CS: You have spoken about how important it is for you to be a positive role model for others. Many athletes try to distance themselves from such a role. Why do you embrace it?

KM: I am by no means saying that everybody should look up to me because I am such a good influence, because I am human, I have made mistakes just like everyone else. What I meant by that is I believe God has given me these opportunities as a platform to spread his word and encourage others.

KM: I hope to not only show the younger generations the word of God, but also show them that anything is possible if you work hard. I truly adore kids, I am going to school to be a special education teacher, so any opportunity I get to talk to kids, I’m all for it.

 

 

CS: Outside of the gym and MMA, what types of activities do you enjoy for fun? What helps you to relax?

KM: Besides training, work, and school, I love just spending time with my family and boyfriend. Movie nights with the family and my boyfriend or his family is my favorite thing to do.

 

 

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

KM: First and foremost, I would like to thank God for providing me these opportunities and all the amazing people in my life.

KM: I would like to thank everybody at Oakdale, Sonora, and Merced MMA who have not only helped me for this fight, but have helped me from the beginning.

KM: I want to thank Professor Tom and his wife Lori for treating me like their own and always believing in me.

KM:  I would also like to thank Full Force Personal Training in Modesto for getting me strong and ready for all my fights.

KM: A huge thank you to my boyfriend/main training partner, Rolando Velasco, for helping me prepare for all my fights, even when he has a fight of his own to prepare for, he has provided me with not just the technical aspect of the sport, but the mental aspect as well.

KM: I want to give a special thank you to my parents who have always supported me and helped me throughout this journey.

KM: Last but definitely not least, a huge thank you to Shannon Knapp for having me join the Invicta FC family, I am truly honored to be apart of this organization.

 

KM: To keep in touch and follow my journey, follow me on Twitter: @KillerKellyMMA

 

Invicta FC 9 takes place November 1st live from the  RiverCenter in Davenport, Iowa. The full card will air live via UFC Fight Pass. Click below to subscribe to UFC FightPass.

 

Tickets will go on sale at the following link later this week.

 

 

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Shannon Knapp & Jeff Meyers from Tuff n Uff join forces

by News

JEFF MEYER AND SHANNON KNAPP JOIN FORCES TO AWARD TWO “FUTURE STARS OF MMA” MULTI-FIGHT INVICTA CONTRACTS

TUFF-N-UFF’S NOVEMBER 7 FEATHERWEIGHT AND LIGHTWEIGHT WINNERS TO COMPETE AGAIN IN 2015 FOR THE CHANCE TO TURN PRO WITH INVICTA TUFF-N-UFF’S “FUTURE STARS OF MMA” – FRIDAY, NOV. 7 AT THE COX PAVILION

Tickets On Sale Now Starting at $25 through www.TuffNUff.com

 

Las Vegas, NV – Jeff Meyer and Shannon Knapp, leaders of two highly respected, nationally recognized mixed martial arts organizations, Tuff-N-Uff and Invicta Fighting Championship, respectively, today announced that they are joining forces to award two female “Future Stars of MMA” a coveted multi-fight Invicta FC contract.

Meyer and Knapp confirmed that four female featherweights and four female lightweights are set to square off on Tuff-N-Uff’s upcoming card Friday, November 7 live from the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas. The women who succeed in each of those fights, two featherweights and two lightweights, again will square off against each other at a Tuff-N-Uff event in 2015. Knapp will award those two winners an Invicta FC contract, and the privilege to launch their pro careers inside the Invicta FC cage.

Tickets for the Friday, November 7 edition of Tuff-N-Uff: “The Future Stars of MMA” are on sale now starting at $25 and are available online through www.TuffNUff.com. Ticket prices do not include applicable service charges. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. PT; first bout starts at 8:00 p.m. PT.  Tickets will be $30 the day of the event.

“I’m so honored to be working with Shannon Knapp to give Tuff-N-Uff’s ‘Future Stars of MMA’ the chance to turn pro with Invicta FC,” said Meyer, CEO of Tuff-N-Uff. “Invicta FC is not only the premier all-women’s MMA organization, it is also the most responsible and the most-watched on the planet. I hope to continue this relationship with Invicta FC to create even more opportunities like this for Tuff-N-Uff’s talented female fighters.”

“I’m excited to join forces with Jeff Meyer to create this 145 lb. and 155 lb. female tournament and to sign two amazing ‘Future Stars’ to a multi-fight Invicta FC contract,” said Knapp, President, Invicta FC. “We had such a positive experience working with Tuff-N-Uff for the 115 lb. tournament earlier this year. It was a pleasure to work with Jeff and his team. They showed us how professional they are, and that they really have their pulse on the rising talent in women’s MMA.”

Knapp and Meyer announced the four female bouts making up the first half of this tournament. These eight women are the top prospects in their weight class and come from all over the United States to compete Nov. 7:

The Featherweights (145 lbs.)

Leah Letson – Milwaukee Wisc. (4-0) vs. Pamela Sorenson – Minneapolis, Minn.(5-0-1)

Heather Wilson – Williston, N. Dakota (4-1) vs. Paola Ramirez – Carlsbad, Calif. (3-0)

The Lightweights (155 lbs.)

Leanne Foster – Beaverton Ore. (3-1) vs. Felicia Spencer – Orlando, Fla. (3-1)

Jessica Richer – Long Island, N.Y. (2-0) vs. Janie Konyek – Omaha, Neb. (2-0)

The winners of these bouts will fight again at a Tuff-N-Uff event in Las Vegas in early 2015. More information about this event, as well as the remaining bouts for the Nov. 7 Tuff-N-Uff card will be announced soon. All bouts live and subject to change.

About Tuff N Uff:

A 20-year old combat sports organization, the Las Vegas-based Tuff-N-Uff has presented the best amateur mixed martial arts (MMA) action in the nation since 2003, giving rise to the biggest star in the sport today, UFC bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey, as well UFC and Strikeforce veteran Ryan Couture and newly-signed UFC welterweight Alan Jouban. Tuff-N-Uff has helped grow the careers of many other MMA athletes including Jessamyn Duke, Ashlee Evans-Smith, Tonya Evinger, Jon Fitch, Jesse Forbes, Chris Holdsworth, Brad Imes, Jimmy Jones and Jesse Taylor. In 2013, Tuff-N-Uff became the first combat sports organization to be included on the UFC International Fight Week schedule of events. In 2014, Tuff-N-Uff presented a second event Thursday, July 3 live from Texas Station, earning status as the first event promotion to be listed on the UFC International Fight Week schedule two years in a row. Tuff-N-Uff celebrated its historic 20th anniversary Saturday, June 7, 2014, with over 15,000 fans, in a sold-out live event inside the Thomas and Mack Center. In 2014, Tuff-N-Uff partnered with the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) to present, as part of UFC International Fight Week 2014, the first-ever amateur MMA World Championships. Also in 2014, Tuff-N-Uff’s CEO, Jeff Meyer, was inducted into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame and honored with the Crystal Award for his contributions to martial arts. Dedicated to its founder, the late Barry Meyer, Tuff-N-Uff is committed to the sport of MMA and building the “Future Stars of MMA.”

 

For more information, visit TuffNUff.com and Follow on Twitter and Instagram @TuffNuff and LIKE us on Facebook.com/TuffNUff.

Fighting Words: Jenny Liou Shriver

by Interviews

Analytical mind Jenny Liou Shriver debuts for Invicta FC Novermber 1st at Invicta FC 9, squaring off against fellow Strawweight Jamie Moyle.

 

Corey Smith: You began studying Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at age ten. Were you training on a consistent basis from that point on?
Jenny Liou Shriver: I started training Jiu Jitsu consistently after I graduated from college.  Until then, track was always my primary sport, and BJJ was one of a handful of sports in the background.

 
CS: Along with BJJ, you were also an elite level track and field star, earning a college scholarship for your skill. What parallels are there between track and BJJ?
JLS: Both running and BJJ require immense amounts of mental toughness and cardiovascular conditioning.  But I think my favorite thing about BJJ is that it’s very different from running.
JLS: By the time my college running career ended, I felt that I had found my limits as a track and field athlete.  Jiu Jitsu is such an intricate sport, and one to which I can really apply my scholar’s curiosity.  It feels endless to me.  I’m always learning. I love that.

 

CS: For many years, your only combat sport experience was with BJJ. When a nearby gym needed a sparring partner, you volunteered and fell in love with other aspects of MMA. What was that experience like for you?
JLS: My transition into MMA was immensely humbling.  When I started taking Jiu Jitsu seriously, the movements came to me almost automatically, maybe partly through natural inclination, but I also think my years of dabbling in BJJ familiarized me with the sport’s cadences and basic motions.  Especially at first, striking wasn’t like that.
JLS: As you can probably imagine, I felt like a total badass when I realized I could submit a pro fighter my very first time in the cage.  But at the same time, I realized immediately how much she, and the rest of my training partners had to teach me.
JLS: Also, the black eyes I got in that first sparring session didn’t show up immediately.  I left the gym exhilarated and rushed back to UC Irvine to teach an English class.  Midway through, I realized that my students were looking at me with strange faces, and it wasn’t until I got home and looked in the mirror that I realized why.  That took a little explaining.

 

CS: You parlayed your college education into an eventual PhD in English. What form has your career taken in that area?
JLS:  I teach English at Northwest Indian College.  It’s rewarding work, but let me be frank—for a long time during graduate school, I balanced the demands of being a combat athlete with the demands of my PhD work. Right now, I want to see how far I can follow my dreams in the cage.  I figure the scholarly pursuits will still be there when my fighting career’s over.
JLS: In addition to my other classes, I get to teach MMA classes at Northwest Indian College.  That’s a dream come true.  I actually get to say, “OK class, let’s just finish up reading this sonnet, then grab your gloves and let’s head to the gym.”

 

CS: After signing with Invicta FC, what goals do you have within the organization? How has your experience been like thus far with the company?
JLS: My first experience with Invicta was watching IFC 1 and wishing I could be on it.  Now that I’m here, I want to climb Invicta’s Strawweight rankings and win the belt.  Invicta has done so much to build women’s MMA.  I’m honored to be part of what they do.

 

CS: Your opponent on November 1st at Invicta FC 9, Jamie Moyle will be making her professional debut that night. Do you view this as any kind of advantage? What do you believe is the key to your matchup?
JLS: I’m not predicting or hoping for any psychological weakness on Jamie’s part.  I think the fighters who come up through Tuff-N-Uff are already equipped with many of the skills that the rest of us have to pick up as pros.
JLS: And anyways, I don’t want to beat her on an off-day.  I want to beat her in the best fight of her career.  I’ve got a lot of respect for Jamie, but I don’t think she’s ever been tested in the cage against a highly skilled grappler.  Also, I’m a much bigger Strawweight than she is.  I’m curious as to what she’ll do when she realizes she can’t throw me around.  It’s going to be fun.

 

CS: What is your mood on fight night? Do you have any routines or superstitions that you have to perform?
JLS: I don’t have any fight night routines or superstitions.  I like to stay as relaxed as possible.  I usually warm up aggressively, and pretty early, with a lot of cardio and some snappy mittwork.  And then I like to go regain my calm.  I always wish that time would just disappear.  I don’t like waiting.

 

CS: Who generally accompanies you to the cage? What type of feedback and coaching do you prefer from your corners?
JLS: My coach, Frank Arnett, will be in my corner.  I tend to think of my corner as an additional pair of eyes.  I want to hear whether or not I’m likely winning the round, and how much time is left.
JLS: I also like knowing if there’s some crucial piece of the game I’m not seeing—whether it’s a defensive error I’m making, or an opening in my opponent’s game that I should capitalize on.
JLS:  I like my corner to be calm and precise.  I don’t like a lot of talk between rounds.  Unless there’s something major to communicate, I view that minute as a time to calm down and to regain my center.

CS: Aside from fight preparation, how much MMA do you watch purely for enjoyment?
JLS: I watch a lot of MMA, but for me, there is no such thing as watching it purely for enjoyment.  Or rather, the most enjoyable thing about watching MMA is seeing slick moves and learning them for myself.  I love GIFs.  They let me watch the same little detail over and over until not just the motions, but their cadences are seared into my brain.

 

CS: Outside of the gym and MMA, what types of activities do you enjoy for fun? What helps you to relax?
JLS: I have a ridiculous number of hobbies, and one of the hardest things about committing to fighting was putting some of my other passions on hold. I like riding mountain bikes and climbing and getting out on backpacking trips in Idaho’s mountains.  I’m a haphazard but happy telemark skier, and I play the guitar just well enough to sing sad country songs.
JLS: I’ve had to put my craft beer and whiskey interests on hold, but I have been indulging in some cinematic obsessions. I’m rewatching Joss Whedon’s “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Firefly,” and I’m making my way though Hayao Miyazaki’s anime masterpieces.
JLS: And I’m always reading.  I never go anywhere without a book.

 

CS: Lastly, MMA takes a team to succeed alone inside the cage. Who would you like to thank?
I’d like to thank my coach and teammates at Team Execution in Lewiston, Idaho and my manager Chris Vender.
JLS: Many thanks also to Rosa Freitas and Sam Wilson who have been my friends and allies in the WMMA world.   I’d like to thank Angelo Todaro for getting me on weight and in shape for November 1st.
JLS: A big thanks to Machina Boxing and Halfbreed Clothing Company for keeping me geared up and dressed up for training.
JLS: And lastly, boundless gratitude to Phil Shriver, who has been the best training partner imaginable for a very long time, and the best husband imaginable since we got married in July.

 

Invicta FC 9 takes place November 1st live from the  RiverCenter in Davenport, Iowa. The full card will air live via UFC Fight Pass. Click below to subscribe to UFC FightPass.

 

Tickets will go on sale at the following link later this week.

 

 

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Fighting Words: Maegan Goodwin

by Interviews

Ready to make a name for herself in her professional debut, Maegan Goodwin steps into the Invicta FC cage November 1st against fellow Invicta FC newcomer,  Kelly McGill.

 

 

Corey Smith: You initially thought that mixed martial arts might just be a hobby for you. Do you remember when you first believed it might be something you could pursue professionally?
Maegan Goodwin: Yeah, I NEVER thought I would be a fighter and neither did anyone else who knew me. I was never into MMA. When I started training I just fell in love with it.
MG: I love how challenging it was and how complex everything was. There are so many ways to win (and lose.)
MG: I remember like it was yesterday when I was watching the guys grapple and I thought to myself, I could do that. I want to do this for real!

 
CS: You have spoken about being inspired by athletes such as Ronda Rousey and Cris Justino. What specifically inspired you about them?
MG: Mostly their work ethic. I follow them on social media and watch all their training stuff; I have from the beginning.
MG: They’re just bada**es!! They don’t take crap from anyone and Ronda for sure, will always shoot you straight whether you like it or not.
CS: You were undefeated as an amateur, and will make your professional debut for Invicta FC on November 1st. What led to your decision to turn pro at this time?
MG: Haha! Shannon Knapp and Julie Kedzie led to my decision! I made it clear Invicta is where I wanted to call home and whenever that opportunity came I was going to be ready! And I am!

 
CS: Your height and reach make for a rare combination in women’s MMA. What advantages and disadvantages do your height and reach have?
MG: Ahh, different things. Obviously a reach advantage is never a bad thing. If I’m throwing/kicking right, I’ll always get to her before she gets to me.
MG: It’s also a benefit in grappling in some ways. A disadvantage in other ways. It’s a lot easier to take me down and a lot harder for me to take someone down, also.

 

CS: After signing with Invicta FC, what goals do you have within the organization? How has your experience been like thus far with the company?
MG: Right now my only goal is to fight my fight Nov 1 and make a statement! If I fight like I know I can fight, I should do just that! After that of course I would like to work towards the belt. But for now my sights are on Kelly McGill.
MG: So far it’s been great! They’re super quick about getting everything taken care of and answering any questions. I know it’s going to be amazing once I actually get there fight week!

 

CS: Your opponent at Invicta FC 9 November 1st, Kelly McGill, is an up and coming prospect as well. How familiar are you with McGill? What are you expecting out of the bout?
MG: I actually don’t know too much about her I have looked her up a little and watched a couple fights. I think she considers herself more of a grappler than standup fighter.

MG: I expect nothing less than a brawl! I kind of think she will try to take me down because I’m taller and have good stand up, but I could be wrong. I’ll be ready for both!

 

 

CS: What is your mood on fight night? Do you have any routines or superstitions that you have to perform?
MG: No, I never really have gotten into anything like that. I just show up and get focused and fight. I usually start out really calm, but then when my hands get wrapped the nerves kick in a little.

MG: Once I get in the cage though, that all goes away.

 

 

CS: Who generally accompanies you to the cage? What type of feedback and coaching do you prefer from your corners?
MG: My boyfriend is always in my corner. Generally I like a lot of criticism, but right before the fight I like more positive pumping up type of words! Haha.

 

CS: Aside from fight preparation, how much MMA do you watch purely for enjoyment?
MG: Quite a bit! Right now I’m watching TUF every Wednesday and it seems like every weekend there are fights somewhere or a UFC on!

 

CS: Outside of the gym and MMA, what types of activities do you enjoy for fun? What helps you to relax?
MG: Honestly, I really don’t do much else! If I’m not at the gym or working I’m just at home with my boyfriend. We’re very active, so were always outside doing something, visiting family or trying to find something fun. We’re not very good at relaxing!

 

CS: Lastly, MMA takes a team to succeed alone inside the cage. Who would you like to thank?
MG: I have so many great sponsors that help me so much! Revgear, Iron Jaw Mouthguard, XionX, Pro Event Sponsors/Ignite, Sports Food, Sallisaw Family Fitness, Floating Mats, Brian Dubuc (@The_Scalper), Soap-A-Licious.
MG: I also have THE best manager, Jay from Fresh Start Entertainment.
MG: Other than them, my boyfriend who helps coach me and Thunderkick who I recently started training with and all my family, friends and fans who give me constant support!

 

Invicta FC 9 takes place November 1st live from the  RiverCenter in Davenport, Iowa. The full card will air live via UFC Fight Pass. Click below to subscribe to UFC FightPass.

 

Tickets will go on sale at the following link later this week.

 

 

ticketmasterlogo

 

 

UFC-Fight-Pass