InvictaFC, Author at Invicta Fighting Championships

Fighting Words: Irene Aldana

August 22, 2014

Mexican knockout artist Irene Aldana debuts for Invicta FC September 6th at Inivcta FC 8 when she takes on UFC Veteran, Peggy Morgan.

Corey Smith: What initially drew you to the world of mixed martial arts? What kept you coming back?
Irene Aldana: Curiosity. A few years ago I was looking for some sport to do in Guadalajara, because I just moved in to the city. While chatting with a good friend of mine, he told me stories about his MMA training experience.
IA: I got interested and really curious, so I went to take my test class, since then I fell in love with the sport and stayed.
IA: What keeps me coming back is the adrenaline, the beauty of the sport, love all techniques there are involved, the way you can always be learning something new, the challenge to improve professionally and personally every day.
IA: The goals I have to accomplish, the love and motivation of my team mates, the family we have made, and the journey we are doing together.

CS: You live and train in Mexico, which is somewhat rare in the MMA community. How would you describe the MMA community in Mexico?
IA: MMA in Mexico is growing fast; there are a lot of really MMA talented men and women. Mexicans are great warriors with a big heart. Now the UFC is coming to Mexico and just filmed TUF Latino-America. This is going to be big and great for the sport here.

CS: All of your wins thus far have come via knockout. Are you actively searching for the KO or do they just present themselves?
IA: I’m always looking for the win. I love to finish via knockout but I’m not really looking for it, all my knockouts had presented themselves. I’m prepared to win where the fight goes.

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?
IA: Everyone working for Invicta has been so nice with us, so professional. Invicta is an excellent company, very well directed, and they really care about the wellness of their fighters.
IA: They make us feel so exited and confident we know we are in good hands and that it’s going to be a very exciting journey. My goal here is to give the best of me as a fighter and as a person. Keep improving and keep growing professionally and I hope someday to win a title shot.

CS: Your opponent on September 6th, Peggy Morgan, brings a similar level of experience with her into the cage. What are you expecting out of the bout?
IA: I think she has a little more experience, and she is a great fighter. I think its going to be a really good match up. I have been training so hard for my debut in Invicta. Like I said I’m always looking for the win but I also know how to lose. Most of all I hope this is a really exciting fight to watch.

CS: What is your mood on fight night? Do you have any routines or superstitions that you have to perform?
IA: I don’t have superstitions. I like to enjoy that moment with my team. Once we have recapped the game plan, I like to listen to music, and just be mentally focused.

CS: Who generally accompanies you to the cage? What type of feedback and coaching do you prefer from your corners?
IA: My head coach Francisco Grasso, his brother Luis Grasso, and my teammate Alexa. I like the way they motivate me, they know how to make realistic and clear instructions that are easy to understand without stressing me.

CS: Aside from fight preparation, how much MMA do you watch purely for enjoyment?
IA: Really often, I love to see K1 , BJJ tournaments, and of course UFC. All for learning and enjoyment.

CS: Outside of the gym and MMA, what types of activities do you enjoy for fun? What helps you to relax?
IA: Spending time at home relaxes me, I love to enjoy my house, spend time with my pets, read, play a good video game, watch a good movie, or spend time with friends and family. Also enjoy going to dinner at a good restaurant.

CS: Lastly, MMA takes a team to succeed alone inside the cage. Who would you like to thank?
IA: First my head coach Francisco Grasso, and my head coach at physical conditioning Fernando Quiroz.
IA: Also a big part of the team my coaches Tito Castro, Iuri Silva, and Roberto Ramirez.
IA: All my team mates, Alexa Grasso, Hoodler, and Daniel Esquivel. Just to mention some, because they are much more names here.
IA: To my family for their love and support, to our friends, sponsors and managers: Luis Grasso and the Alaniz brothers.
IA: All the companies that have been supportive in my career.
IA: I can’t write all names but to all the people that have been with me in this amazing journey. Definitely I would not be here if not for them.

Invicta FC 8 takes place September 6th live from the Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri. The full card will air live via UFC Fight Pass. Click below for tickets, or to subscribe to UFC FightPass.

Fighting Words: Peggy Morgan

August 21, 2014

by InvictaFC Interviews

Invicta newcomer and UFC alumni Peggy Morgan will test herself against fellow Invicta rookie Irena Aldana September 6th at Invicta FC 8 in a pivotal Bantamweight bout.
Corey Smith: What initially drew you to Mixed Martial arts? Was there a specific moment that you realized you had the talent and desire to fight professionally?
Peggy Morgan: I came to MMA by way of boxing and kickboxing. I boxed and kickboxed as an amateur for a number of years. I stopped in 2008 when I got pregnant with my son. I didn’t plan to return to fighting, but I started learning BJJ for fun and it wasn’t long before my training partners convinced to take an amateur fight.
PM: There wasn’t really a moment that I decided to become a pro fighter. It happened more or less by accident. I took my first pro fight because an amateur fight I’d been preparing for fell through and a promoter called to offer me a professional fight.

CS: How long had you been training before going into the TUF house? What was that experience like for you?
PM: I’d only been training for about two years when I went into the TUF house. I knew going into it that I was still a little rough, but it was a great experience and a great opportunity.
PM: At the time the whole thing seemed just incredibly surreal. I never imagined that women would be on TUF and I certainly never imagined that I would be. At the same time, it was definitely difficult to be away from my family and friends. I missed my son, and it was hard to be separated from the people I count on for support.
PM: I think it was especially difficult for me because I didn’t really know any of the other contestants going into the show. Most of them knew each other and many had already fought, and I felt like a bit of an outsider.

CS: After the filming of TUF, you lost a decision to Jessamyn Duke. What lessons did you take away from that bout?

PM: To be honest, the bout with Jessamyn reaffirmed what I already knew about myself as a fighter. I knew I was incredibly tough but also very inexperienced.
PM: Skill wise, I had a lot to learn and a lot to refine. Following the loss, I got right back into the gym and started working to improve every aspect of my game.

CS: On the subject of lessons, you are also a professor of composition and literature. How do you juggle the two vastly different careers?
PM: Well, I’m not teaching right now, so I’m not really juggling them at all. It was really quite difficult to do both well. I ended up having to make a choice, and for the moment, I’ve chosen to fight.

CS: How has your experience been like thus far with Invicta FC? What do you think the Invicta/UFC FightPass does for the future of WMMA?
PM: So far my experience with Invicta FC has been very positive. I’m excited to be working with such an outstanding promotion. Before signing with Invicta, I heard nothing but positive things about the organization and about Shannon Knapp.
PM: The Invicta/UFC Fight Pass deal is awesome for WMMA. It gives women’s MMA more exposure and will lead to greater opportunities both for Invicta and for female athletes.

CS: Your opponent on September 6th, Irene Aldana, steps into the cage having secured all of her victories via KO or TKO. What are your expectations of the bout?
I expect a war! Obviously Aldana is a tough woman and a good fighter. I don’t expect it to be an easy matchup, but I do expect to come out on top. I’m not easy to put away, and I don’t think you’ll find many athletes physically and mentally tougher than I am.
PM: I’m also hoping to show everyone how much I’ve grown since my UFC fight. I’ve put in a lot of work and I really feel I’ve improved in every way since November.

CS: What is your mood on fight night? Do you have any routines or superstitions that you have to perform?
PM: I’m usually calm and happy. I enjoy fighting. No routines or superstitions.

CS: Who generally accompanies you to the cage? What type of feedback and coaching do you prefer from your corners?
PM: I’ve had many different corner people in my short career. Probably the most consistent corner person has been Chuck O’Neil from season 13 of TUF. I’ve only been training with my head coach, Nate Ryan, for the past year and a half, but he’s become essential to my corner. His style of coaching works very well for me. He’s calm and low key; he doesn’t scream and climb the side of the cage or anything.
PM: I also like to have Jimmy Quinlan from season 17 of TUF because he has a great eye for the sport and he’s one of the best wrestling coaches around. Since I only have two corners for this fight, Nate and Jimmy will be walking with me to the cage.

CS: Aside from fight preparation, how much MMA do you watch purely for enjoyment?
PM: I don’t watch a lot of MMA. I enjoy it when I do watch it, it’s just I don’t have a lot of time. When I’m not training or taking care of my son, I’m usually sleeping.

CS: Outside of the gym and MMA, what types of activities do you enjoy for fun? What helps you to relax?
PM: I don’t have a ton of spare time, but when I do, I like to read. I’m a huge nerd. There aren’t many things I enjoy more than curling up in bed with a book

CS: Lastly, MMA takes a team to succeed alone inside the cage. Who would you like to thank?
PM: Okay, this is going to be a huge list. Firstly, I want to thank my coach, Nate Ryan. I also want to thank Jimmy Quinlan for agreeing to corner me/trying to teach me how to wrestle and Chuck O’Neil for pushing me.
PM: Everyone who trains with me and helps me to get better, but especially Tara Tremelling who comes in to spar with me religiously even though she isn’t currently fighting and has nothing to gain from it personally.
PM: Mike McCandless from Smartpowders.com for helping me in more ways than I can ennumerate.
PM: Linda Weenan Kriner for being an awesome manager.
PM: All of my sponsors for their support.
PM: Kyle Breire from Strength Lab NH.
PM: My family for putting up with me, particularly my son, Oliver, because it can’t be easy to have a crazy fighter mother.
PM: Invicta for giving me this opportunity, and the fans for supporting WMMA and making it what it is now and what it will be in the future.

Fighting Words: Roxanne Modafferi

August 19, 2014

by InvictaFC Interviews

Women’s MMA pioneer Roxanne Modafferi will return to the cage September 6th at Invicta FC 8, when she squares off against fellow veteran Tara Larosa in a featured Flyweight bout.

In the rubber match of MMA’s friendliest rivalry, “The Happy Warrior” will look to establish herself as force to be reckoned with in Invicta’s 125lb division.

Corey Smith: Initially entering into the world of martial arts via Taekwondo as a teenager, you then transitioned into various other disciplines. What was it that drew you to martial arts? What kept your interest after your initial entry?
Roxanne Modafferi: I first started martial arts because I thought it looked cool. My passion for it grew, and I wanted to try as many disciplines as I could, and get stronger. Then I developed a love for Judo and jiu-jitsu as a sport, and wanted to try to compete on a higher and higher level.
CS: After majoring in Japanese, you naturally moved to Japan where you had a storied overseas career. How would you describe the main differences between the American and Japanese MMA communities?
RM: When I first moved to Japan, I felt like the Japanese accepted MMA and martial arts as a way of life more publically, where as in the USA people always gave the “Oh, don’t kung-fu me!” *fake fear* attitude. Eight years later, UFC Is on regular TV and I’m respected as a professional athlete.

CS: Your nickname, the “Happy Warrior,” seems to apply to you both inside and outside the cage. Where does that aspect of your personality originate?
RM: I always try and see the positive side of all situations. I’m generally a happy person, and I let it show.
CS: As one of the original pioneers of WMMA, what advice would you give to an up and coming athlete in the sport?
RM: Find a coach and a gym that will believe in you, and make an effort to help you grow. Listen to their advice. Be prepared to make sacrifices, either with your social life or working a crappy job to train, but always have a back-up plan in case something goes wrong with your career, like injury. Get an education if possible. Be passionate, but smart.
CS: You returned to the United States to participate in the first season of The Ultimate Fighter to feature female athletes. What was that experience like for you?
RM: It was a fantastic, eye-opening experience, showing me all the possibilities of what I could be. I grew so much as a person and athlete.
CS: You recently signed with Invicta FC. What has your experience been like with the company? What are your goals with Invicta?
RM: My goals are to win fights.
CS: On September 6th at Invicta FC 8, you will complete a trilogy with fellow veteran Tara Larosa. You each own a win over the other. What are you expecting out of the bout?
RM: It will be a hard back-and-forth battle. She is strong and talented, and I’ve improved so much since I last fought. I can’t wait to show the world what I’ve been doing at Syndicate MMA Fight Gym for the past year.
CS: What is your mood on fight night? Do you have any routines or superstitions that you have to perform?
RM: I watch fighting anime if I’m at home. I take walks if I’m at a hotel. I like to fantasize how awesome my life will be after I win. I visualize the fight a lot.
CS: Aside from fight preparation, how much MMA do you watch purely for enjoyment?
RM: I used to not watch it too much when I was in Japan, because I didn’t have time. I worked, trained, and slept. People don’t have house parties to watch fights in Japan because people’s houses are so small it’s hard to entertain. Nowadays, I’m living in the US and I go over my coach’s house with the team a few times a month and watch fights. It’s awesome.
CS: Outside of the gym and MMA, what types of activities do you enjoy for fun? What helps you to relax?
RM: I watch Japanese anime and wrote blogs. I always take walks after meals and listen to music.
CS: Lastly, MMA takes a team to succeed alone inside the cage. Who would you like to thank?
RM: First, I’d like to thank the head coach at the gym John Wood, for his great instruction, and assistant coaches Mike Pyle, John Gunderson, Vinny Magalhaes and Casey Milliken.
RM: Thanks to my team, training partners, and manager Shu. Thanks to my current sponsors Herbal Papaya and Intimidation Clothing.
RM: And a special thanks to my wonderful loyal fans and friends, who send me love, support and socks. I have the best fans ever!
RM: A very special thanks to my mother who moved from Massachusetts to Las Vegas to be with me, support me, pay for my yoga studio membership and the rent, and bake me healthy banana bread.

Fighting Words: Michelle Ould

August 19, 2014

by InvictaFC Interviews

Itching to get back in the cage and make a statement, Michelle Ould will scuffle with Deanna Bennett September 6th at Invicta FC 8.

Corey Smith: Invicta FC recently signed a content distrubtion deal with the UFC, specifically via UFC Fight Pass. What impact do you believe the deal will have on the future on WMMA?

Michelle Ould: Well one can only hope that more females that participate in MMA will be given the attention and respect they deserve, not just the few & far between ‘standouts’ or ones that can pass the red tape to make it onto TUF.

MO: I’m hoping this will be the platform needed to boost our exposure and all the positive things that come along with that kind of exposure, such as sponsorships etc that help keep us going.

CS: You tried out for the most recent season of TUF, despite it being a weight class below your normal class. What was that experience like?

MO: It was interesting. Disappointing that I made it then something stupid came up that prevented me from getting in the house, but whatever I’m over it. Hopefully I will work with the UFC in the future but I’m just going with the flow and grateful to have a home at InvictaFC.

CS: You have trained the past several years out of Team Quest. For a female athlete, what are the advantages of training out of Team Quest?

MO: Same as any other gym. There are advantages & disadvantages; a lot of the time you won’t have anyone your own size to go with but then again sometimes that makes you work harder.

MO: There’s a lot of really successful fighters out of our gym that are super helpful and still grounded and helpful enough to extend their vast knowledge. Better yet, still sit around and discuss ways they can improve their game despite being considered some of the best in the world.

MO: Keeps you hungry & down to earth; I’ve seen guys win titles at other gyms that don’t handle it with near as much humility and nobility.

CS: Your bout in September will mark the end of a nearly two year layoff from the cage for you. Do you have any concerns with ring rust?

MO: Ring rust is a myth. I’ve been training hard despite having no idea when I will fight again. I’ve had layoffs before, and I come back better every time. I use it as time to pick myself apart and work on my weaknesses, and to fill out the holes in my physical & mental game.

MO: Sometimes when you’re just in training camp back to back you don’t have time to evolve. Of course that’s not ideally what I would want, 2 years off. But I couldn’t control what Bellator did by holding my contract exclusively then cutting us then I was signed with Invicta, then having to wait a whole year before having the opportunity to work for them.

MO: It taught me patience and definitely reminded me that this is what I want to continue doing; otherwise all of those inconveniences would have probably led a less passionate fighter to possibly retiring.

CS: Your opponent at Invicta FC 8, Deanna Bennett, brings an undefeated record with her into the cage. What are your expectations of the bout?

MO: I basically know nothing of her style aside from being aggressive, so I expect to be fighting a total stud in every way since my coaches can’t find any footage on her. She’s up amd coming and hungry so I’m prepared for that. Should be a scrappy bout.

CS: What is your mood on fight night?

MO: Always different. I tend to thrive in chaos; it actually calms me. But as I get older and with every fight it changes a little – which is good. Adaptation is what makes a successful fighter and that’s what I always aim to do in every situation; adapt.

CS: Do you have any routines or superstitions that you have to perform?

MO: As long as everything is chaotic and going wrong in one way or another I know it’s going to be a good night. If it all goes smoothly, I get worried.

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

MO: Bryan Harper, whom I refer to as Yoda. As long as I can hear them then that’s what I do. They know me and I trust them.

CS: Aside from fight preparation, how much MMA do you watch purely for enjoyment? Anyone in particular that you are a fan of?

MO: I go through phases. Sometimes it gets old with how saturated the market is right now. I prefer watching the smaller weights and proven well-rounded guys that keep the ‘art’ in mixed martial arts.

MO: And any girl fight. I’m a fan of all of them. I’m a huge fan of Benavidez, Saffedeine, Joanne Calderwood, Miriam Nakamoto, and Kevin Ross to name a few.

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

MO: I like to do nothing. Doing nothing is awesome. Crowds and obligations give me anxiety and make me want to drink which is not something I enjoy much these days so I avoid it by staying home or doing things in non-crowded situations.

MO: Which can be hard when you have kids. Sometimes I have to bite the bullet and take them out in public lol. If I had it my way I would seriously live off the grid. That’s been my mentality lately.

MO: I love people but sometimes (most of the time), I over think things and am pretty good at reading people which usually leads to disappointment. I used to voice how I felt about it until I realized it usually doesn’t change anything and makes me just hate people in general some days.

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

MO: Lately I’ve had a skid in the luck department as far as finances, sponsorship, and management goes-although I planned things out financially for this training camp it went sour and women like Sam Wilson & Linda Kriner saved me from pulling out my hair.

MO: Of course my coaches and teammates at Team Quest, especially John Davis who has put a lot of time and effort into my individual strength and conditioning.

MO: I’ve had a lot of companies provide me with essentials such as Caveman Coffee, Soapalicious, Onnit, RevGear, Future Legend, Quadsnotincluded, Vehement Fight Co (which is products made from 100% organic vegan friendly material).

MO: Plus sponsors such as AmericanaMMA, MMARoadHog, SportsFoodInc, HypeXtreme, XionX bands, Primal Cravings, Goomba to Goomba Productions, Ignite, Tilted Kilt Temecula, FlatIron Sports Injury, and Perfect Tan Temecula.

MO: A lot of fans, teammates, and friends have come forward and helped contribute to the FundMe campaign I started once I found out my finances weren’t going to come through to make it through camp, or even to pay for the essentials, like bills and kid’s school supplies.

MO: All of these people and companies have helped alleviate these stressors so I can just focus on what a fighter needs to do to prepare for battle and with whatever time I have left focus on lecturing my kids lol.

MO: Seriously I am so appreciative of all of you it almost makes me want to cry. But seeing as I am a soulless b*tch, please just take my word for it ;).

Fighting Words: Ashley Cummins

August 14, 2014

by InvictaFC Interviews

St. Louis police officer and Invicta FC Straweight Ashley Cummins, returns September 6th, when she welcomes Alexa Grasso to the Invicta cage in a three round affair.

Corey Smith: Your entry in Mixed Martial Arts came after a soccer career filled with fights. How did it feel to finally find a proper outlet for your aggression? What was training like early on?
Ashley Cummins: Yeah I was getting into fights on the soccer field a lot. It felt good. I did Tae Kwon Do growing up, but the only thing I liked about that was sparring. On the soccer fields, I was the captain of my team. So if anyone ever cheap shotted any of my teammates, I would make sure to handle it, which is how I got into fights all the time.
AC: I knew all I wanted to do was fight. I was naturally just an aggressive athlete. I wanted to try mixed martial arts, so my sophomore year of college I gave up my soccer scholarship, in order to train full time. I fell in love with the sport immediately.
AC: Literally the first day, at the first MMA gym I trained at, I fell in love with the sport. It just felt right. I knew this was what I had wanted to do for years. I always thought, in my opinion, that MMA is the toughest sport out there. I wanted to mentally know that I could do it, that I could accomplish this goal that I have.
AC: I started training full time, and also being a student. Originally I didn’t jump into MMA, I did Jiu Jitsu, and then I did Muay Thai. I was at an MMA gym, but I separated it, to be able to get good at both aspects. Then of course I did wrestling as well. I had a couple Muay Thai fights before I had my first MMA fight, and also competed in some grappling tournaments.
AC: So when I started in my MMA career, I definitely had a lot of experience under my belt. I waited two and half years before I took my first amateur MMA fight, and within those two and half years I had 7 or 8 Muay Thai fights and probably competed in ten grappling tournaments. So I went into my amateur career with a lot of experience under my belt.

CS: This will be your first appearance in the cage in over a year; do you have any concerns of ring rust?
AC: Not at all. After my first fight for Invicta, I fought on a Saturday and that Monday I was back at the gym training already. I haven’t taken time off since my last fight. I spar a lot, so I don’t think ring rust is going to be a problem at all.

CS: During the layoff, what areas did you focus on to improve your skills? What was the layoff like for you?
AC: There was nothing specific that I focused on; I just went and trained every day over the past year. Normal training. I train all aspects of the game. I do boxing, Muay Thai, wrestling , Gi and No Gi Jiu Jitsu. I always want to try to be a well rounded fighter. I’ve trained all aspects since my last fight, and I definitely have improved a whole lot since my last fight. I am really excited to show the world my skills.

CS: What were your thoughts when you first heard the announcement regarding Invicta FC airing on UFC FightPass?
AC: I was very excited when I heard the news. I think it is going to open more opportunities for female athletes. It’s going to help show the world what Women’s MMA is all about. UFC FightPass is shown throughout the world, so it’s going to get more fans, and help the females out in every aspect possible. It will help the female side of MMA grow. I think that it was a great decision.

CS: Your opponent on September 6th, is undefeated Alexa Grasso. How familiar are you with Alexa, and what are your expectations for the bout?
AC: I know she is 4-0, and she is from Mexico. All of her fights have been at 125lbs; I don’t think she has ever fought at 115lbs. I have seen a couple of her videos, and she is a very talented fighter, but anyone that fights for Invicta is going to be talented. She is definitely a tough opponent, and I look forward to it.
AC: I never take easy fights. I always want to fight people that are going to push me, and help me become a better fighter. I think she is well rounded, and I think I am well rounded, so I think it’s a very good matchup. Invicta always has good matchups. All of the fights they put on are even and fair, and I am excited. I’m expecting Fight of the Night out of our fight.

CS: Who generally accompanies you to the cage? What type of feedback and coaching do you prefer from your corners?
AC: I am very blessed and I have a great coaching staff behind me. My MMA coach Steve Berger; he’s phenomenal. The best coach that I have ever worked with throughout my career. Very encouraging.
AC: Before fights, I’m nervous like everyone is, and he always calms me down. I’ve always put in the hard work for every camp I’ve had. During the bout, he’s very technical. I can hear him clearly in my corner, and he is very helpful during the fight with instructions. I think that I have been working with him for so long, that I can pick out his voice very easily.

CS: Aside from fight preparation, how much MMA do you watch purely for enjoyment?
AC: I work full time, and I train, so I don’t get to watch much TV. Every once and a while I’ll catch a couple friends and we will go up to Buffalo Wild Wings, and we’ll watch the UFC. There isn’t anyone in particular that I always have to see.

CS: Along with being a fighter, you are also a police officer. Which profession benefits the other the most?
AC: To be honest, I think that it’s about even. They both help the other in different ways. MMA training obviously helps my police work with staying in shape, so when people run from me or I get in a foot pursuit I’m always in great shape year round.
AC: It helps with self defense, when people resist arrest or try to attack me; my MMA has come in handy several times in the past four years that I’ve been an officer. I’m very thankful that I’ve always stayed safe and been able to go home to my family at the end of my shift.
AC: Being an officer helps being a fighter more so in the mental aspects. I patrol a part of St. Louis that’s pretty dangerous, a lot of gang activity, shootings and stabbings. I go into scary situations sometimes. Mentally you have to push forward. Whenever everyone else is running away from gunshots, I have to go towards them.
AC: That helps me in the cage, because in my mind, when I’m warming up for a fight, and about to go in the cage I think this is nothing like running towards gunshots. It’s a fight. It’s fun, it’s supposed to challenge you mentally and physically, and then the three rounds are up. The ref is there to make sure everyone is safe.
AC: When I’m on duty, you don’t know what’s going to happen; you don’t know what’s expected. Mentally the situations as an officer help me with being a fighter that it’s just a fight. It’s not life or death.

CS: Outside of police work, and MMA, you also enjoy being involved with animal rescue. How involved are you in Animal Rescue?
AC: I’ve been very involved with rescuing stray and abused animals my entire life, even before I was an officer. I do it even more now that I’m an officer because I patrol a poverty area of St. Louis, so there are a lot of strays running around. I volunteer for St. Louis Pet Rescue in St. Louis. I do a lot of volunteer work.

AC:When I’m on duty I’m always finding strays, or animals that have been abused. I take them to my house and rehabilitate them and foster them to find them great homes. It is definitely a huge passion of mine. Animals are defenseless; they don’t have a voice so we need to be their voice. It’s a big part of my life, and my family’s life.

AC:Anytime I can spread the word to stop animal abuse, I do it every chance that I get.

CS: Outside of the gym and MMA, what types of activities do you enjoy for fun? What helps you to relax?
AC: I’m a big movie buff. I love going to the movie theater, or chilling on the couch and putting on a good movie. It always relaxes me, and gets my mind off things. That’s probably the main thing I like to do if I’m not at work or training.

CS: Lastly, MMA takes a team to succeed alone inside the cage. Who would you like to thank?
AC: I want to thank my coaches and teammates at Berger MMA, and my strength and condition coaches at Victory Training. I want to thank Gracie Humata St. Louis for all their help.
AC: My manager, Hector Castro with Empire Sports Marketing.
AC: My sponsors; Fear The Fighter, XionX Band, Tussle Fight Gear, Fight Chix, Fear The Fighter Energy.
AC: And of course all my family and friends for always supporting me with my dreams.

Fighting Words: Alexa Grasso

August 14, 2014

by InvictaFC Interviews

Mexican Strawweight Alexa Grasso brings her devastating knockout power to the Invicta FC cage September 6th, when she duels with Ashley Cummins at Invicta FC 8.

Corey Smith: What brought about your interest in Martial Arts? What did you first study?
Alexa Grasso: My uncle is a fighter, so I watched him training and he motivated me. I first started learning Muay Thai.

CS: MMA in Mexico appears to be gaining in popularity. How would you describe the MMA community in Mexico?
AG: The MMA community in Mexico is huge, we have many great academies, great promotions, and we support and are always on the lookout for all those fighters who go on to the big leagues. It gives us pride!
AG: Also many Mexicans are starting to know more about the sport, and I think that the new TUF LATIN AMERICA program is a great step in Mexico.

CS: You possess rare knockout power for a Strawweight. How much do you depend upon that, and are you ready to showcase other areas of your skill set?
AG: In my last fights I have been able to finish that way, but I don’t only depend on that, I am ready to show all my skills.

CS: This will be your first bout outside of Mexico. Do you believe fighting in a new country will add any stress to your routines?
AG: I know this will be something really new for me, but to be honest, I have been dreaming to fight in Invicta FC since the very first time I saw videos about the league, so I will leave my heart in the cage that day.

CS: This will also mark your Invicta FC debut. How has your experience been with the company so far?

AG: I feel so proud and thankful to be part of Invicta, like I said before, this is my dream and I will be doing my best to fulfill it.

CS: Your opponent on September 6th, Ashley Cummins, will be fighting very close to her hometown. What are you expecting out of yourself and your opponent in the bout?
AG: We looked forward to this day so it will be an amazing night. We will both give you the best of us.

CS: What is your mood on fight night? Do you have any routines or superstitions that you have to perform?
AG: I do not have any rituals, I just like listening to music, warming up and reminding myself how much I worked to achieve my goal.

CS: Who generally accompanies you to the cage? What type of feedback and coaching do you prefer from your corners?
AG: My uncle, my dad and an awesome friend, cause they are my trainers. I love when they say to enjoy the fight and how long we have been waiting for this day!

CS: Aside from fight preparation, how much MMA do you watch purely for enjoyment?
AG: I like watching MMA fights and Jiu Jitsu tournaments some weekends, or if Ronda Rousey will be fighting.

CS: Outside of the gym and MMA, what types of activities do you enjoy for fun? What helps you to relax?
AG: Outside MMA, I study, so I like to do my homework or reading. And if I have some free time I like to watch funny movies or have a walk in my lovely city.

CS: Lastly, MMA takes a team to succeed alone inside the cage. Who would you like to thank?
AG: I am very, very thankful first to Francisco Grasso, Luis Grasso and Tito Castro, and all my LOBO GYM and SAMURAI FC teammates because without them I wouldn’t be who I am now.
AG: Thanks to my sponsors who have been taking care of my health every day, and everyone who have helped me in this awesome trip!

VETERAN BROADCASTERS SCHIAVELLO AND KEDZIE TO CALL INVICTA 8

August 13, 2014

by InvictaFC News

KANSAS CITY, MO. (August 12, 2014) – Broadcaster extraordinaire Michael Schiavello will join longtime Invicta FC analyst Julie Kedzie as the announcing team for Invicta FC 8, airing live on UFCFIGHTPASS.com September 6^th from the Municipal Auditorium in downtown Kansas City, MO.

Schiavello, a prolific play-by-play announcer with close to two decades of experience calling combat sports, will work alongside Invicta FC matchmaker Julie Kedzie for the first time. Schiavello previously called Invicta FC 7 in December 2013. Invicta FC 8 will feature 10 total bouts of world class all female professional mixed martial arts.

Kedzie has previously provided analysis for all but one Invicta FC event. Kedzie, a UFC veteran, retired from active competition in December of 2013 before accepting the role of Invicta FC matchmaker.

Kedzie said: “I am thrilled to be commentating for Invicta FC once more, and I look forward to not only seeing the fights themselves, but also having UFC FightPass viewers around the world get a chance to see some of the best female fighters in the world perform.”

Invicta Fighting Championships 8 will be available exclusively on UFCFIGHTPASS.com subscribers beginning at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT. UFC FIGHT PASS offers a variety of subscription options, with one option being a month by month subscription price of $9.99.

“Our athletes and I are excited to bring their talent to UFCFIGHTPASS.com,” said Invicta FC President Shannon Knapp. “Our athletes consistently put on exhilarating and action packed bouts for the fans, and we are excited that even more fans will be able to view the action.”

In the first of two world title fights on a stacked card, UFC FIGHT PASS subscribers will be treated to the return of Invicta FC Atomweight (105lbs) champion Michelle Waterson, 11-3 in MMA, who defends her title for the first time against grizzled Japanese veteran Yasuko Tamada, 15-8-3, in the main event. In the co-main event of Invcita FC’s eighth event, the vacant Invicta FC Strawweight (115lbs) will be on the line when Invicta veteran Katja “The Killer Bunny” Kankaanpää, 9-1, will take on Invicta newcomer Stephanie Eggink, 4-1.

Eight further bouts will air live from the Muncipal Auditorium on September 6^th, 2014, and tickets may be purchased through all TicketMaster outlets, including TicketMaster.Com.

For additional information please visit www.InvictaFC.com, and get your free seven-day free trail at UFCFIGHTPASS.com.

For tickets to Invicta FC 8, please visit www.TicketMaster.com.

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 women’s MMA by promoting the best possible matchups between female competitors and identifying and developing future superstars of the sport. Currently Invicta FC has promoted eight all female fight cards.

Fighting Words: Charmaine Tweet

August 12, 2014

by InvictaFC Interviews

September 6th 2014 will mark the debut of the Invicta FC 155lb division, with Canadian Charmaine Tweet one half of the equation at Invicta FC 8.
Finally stepping into the cage with a rival has it’s own reward, but Tweet remains focused on capturing the first win of the 155lb division at Invicta FC 8.

Corey Smith: During the layoff, you kept yourself busy with a Victory in May. How important was it for you to not allow ring rust to set in?
Charmaine Tweet: I never really think about ring rust, for me it is more about attaining my goal of having at least one fight per quarter. I have yet to achieve that goal, as I am averaging three fights per year, but I love to fight and the more often I can, the happier I am. One of the things I love about being with Invicta is that I am able to fight for other promotions here in Canada, so long as what I am doing does not interfere with any Invicta bouts I have scheduled.

CS: MMA in Canada is virtually as popular as it in the United States. Are there major differences in the MMA communities in the United States and Canada?
CT: I would say that the MMA community in Canada is pretty much the same as it is in the States, except our fighters say “eh” a lot more and wear “gotch” instead of underwear. All kidding aside, it is very similar in that we train hard and fight hard!
CT: It is a very tight knit community and when you fight on a card here, chances are you are fighting on the same card as someone you know, and even though they may be from another province the two of you have most likely fought on other cards together in the past. There are the inevitable rivalries between competing gyms and training centers…

CS: With training camp injuries a common occurrence in MMA, how do you balance getting the full amount of training that you require but still guard against injury?
CT: I choose my training partners wisely…
CT: There are people with whom I will train when I am not in fight camp, but politely turn down in the midst of a camp. I try not to come off as a diva but, since I know that there are people that I’m more likely to get injured training with, my health and safety are my primary concern. Obviously, things happen and you can’t avoid all injuries, but I feel it is unfair to my opponent if I sustain an injury that could have been avoided but making wise training choices.

CS: This bout will mark the opening of the 155lb division in Invicta FC. Does that hold any special meaning for you? How much of a difference will it make to be fighting at 155 compared to 145?
CT: I feel that it is ground breaking for a promotion that has a viewing platform as prominent as UFC Fight Pass to be debuting a heavier weight class and I am so proud to be part of it. I have said for years that there is so much talent out there that doesn’t get to showcase their stuff because they cannot cut to 145lbs.
CT: I think this is a stepping stone to bringing in more divisions above 155lbs, which I feel is important because, in my personal opinion, cutting anything more than a few pounds to make a certain division is detrimental to a fighter’s health and to the strength of their fighting performance. I truly feel that if we can put an end to these crazy weight cuts we are going to see stronger more exciting fights. Stronger and more exciting pretty much describes the difference fighting at 155lbs will make compared to 145lbs!

CS: Your opponent on September 6th, Veronica Rothenhausler, and you have engaged in quite the war of words before the fight was announced; how important was it to you to step into the cage with Veronica?
CT: Let’s just put it this way, it’s time for this old dog to teach the young pup a thing or two!

CS: What is your mood on fight night? Do you have any routines of superstitions that you have to perform?
CT: On fight night, I think the best way to describe me is a focused calm before the storm. I have never had a pre-fight ritual, but do have a couple of superstitions. I will not wear any article of clothing that I have worn in a fight which I have lost, nor will I walk in to the same ring music. So, unfortunately, as much as I love “Fatty Boom Boom”, by Die Antwoord, I will not be walking into it on September 6th.

CS: Who generally accompanies you to the cage? What type of feedback and coaching do you prefer from your corners?
CT: Lol, a lot of the time who I have in my corner depends on who, out of my coaches, can get time off from their day job. In a perfect world I like to have a striking coach and a Jiu Jitsu coach. My coaches are the eyes in the back of my head, they get an overall view of what is happening in the cage and I like to have them point out the stuff that I might not be cueing on when I am in trouble in a match.
CT: I like them to tell me very little if what I am doing is working because if they are constantly telling me which move to make, they may as well be coaching my opponent on how to counter me.

CS: Most fans love to give fighters advice before a fight. What is the best advice you have ever received before a fight?
CT: I honestly can’t remember, I am usually so focused on the game plans my coaches set out for me. The best advice any local fans could give me in the future would be the best place to eat or the coolest sites to see while I am in their city. ;)

CS: Aside from fight preparation, how much MMA do you watch purely for enjoyment?
CT: Oooh, you caught me on this one. Unless I have a vested interest, for instance if there is an Invicta Card on, or there is someone I know personally, or someone I really want to see lose (read Rhonda Rousey) fighting, I actually watch very little MMA purely for enjoyment. However, when it comes to sports, I have always been like that; I would much prefer to be competing myself or training than sitting and watching.

CS: Outside of the gym and MMA, what types of activities do you enjoy for fun? What helps you to relax?
CT: When I have some down time, which is rare, I like to read books and watch movies with my husband. In addition, I LOVE to watch my kids in the activities they compete in; football and basketball for my youngest son and wrestling for my oldest.

CS: Lastly, MMA takes a team to succeed alone inside the cage. Who would you like to thank?
CT: I would first and foremost like to thank my coaches and all of the people are helping me prepare for Invicta 8: Jeff Wiley, Nolan Collar, Deryl Bangsund, Myke Yee, Moses Ali, and Dan McGee.
CT: Things would be greatly amiss if I did not give a huge shout out to my Husband/ Manager Cord Crowthers; he does so much for me and for the sport of WMMA!
CT: In addition I send much gratitude out to the women who attended our “Eve-olution” training camp in June: Maureen “Baby Face” Riordan (keep an eye out for her in my corner on Sept 6th!), Roma “Panther” Pawelek, Summer “Critter” Bradshaw, Jackie Baker, Angel Anderson, Carly Short and Heather Wilson. It was amazing having these talented women up in Regina to train with. I have made some really good friends through this experience.
CT: I also send much love and many thanks out to my sponsors: London Jacks Authentic British Fish and Chips, Stellar Gear ,Misfit Made ,X-ion-X, and King Eddie and MMA Comix.
CT: Also PSCR – Shawn Burdette The Computer Guy, Canada Whey, Comtech, and Weyburn Jiffy Lube.
CT: And of course I have to thank my family, friends and fans for their continued support.

Fighting Words: Veronica Rothenhausler

August 12, 2014

by InvictaFC Interviews

Making her second appearance in the Invicta FC cage September 6th, Veronica Rothenhausler will open the newly minted 155lb division with a grudge matach against Charmaine Tweet.

After engaging in a war of words over the past few months, both athletes are ready to settle the score, and claim the first win in the 155lb division.

Corey Smith: You will be part of the very first 155lb divisional bout at Invicta FC 8 this September, what are the advantages of a higher weight class for you?

Veronica Rothenhausler: Well, having my liver fully functional will be nice. Those extra ten pounds are going to be huge for me. 155 is where I belong.

CS: You train at Team Alpha Male, which has had a very successful run as of late. What is the team atmosphere like there?

VR: Team Alpha Male has been the place to be, not just as of the last few months but the years leading up to them as well. It’s so great to come into the gym and be surrounded with bad ass athletes of all sizes. We work harder than anybody and have a great time doing it. We all have the same end goal so it makes it easy to flow.

CS: Your upcoming bout will end a long layoff for you. Are you concerned with ring rust?

VR: Hell no. I’ve been training for this fight for a year and a half. No rust here.

CS: What does a typical day of training camp entail for you?

VR: I have a different schedule every day of the week. I usually have 2-3 training sessions a day as well as getting in my cardio.

CS: What helps keep you focused during a long training camp?

VR: I wanna be the champ. I know it takes blood and sweat to get there so lets do it.

CS: Most fighters list the weight cut as the hardest aspect of being a fighter. Setting that aside, what do you consider the hardest aspect of being a fighter?

VR: Unfortunately, setting the weight cut aside isn’t an option!

CS: Your opponent at Invicta FC 8, Charmaine Tweet, and yourself have engaged in a rather heated war of words leading up to September 6th. How excited are you to step into the ring with her?

VR: Haha. Very.

CS: What is your mood on fight night?

VR: I feel calm before a fight. Just like, let’s do this shit. I like to be present in every second and really soak it in.

CS: Do you have any routines or superstitions that you have to perform?

VR: Yes. I grew up being a ball player so I definitely have some pre fight superstitions.

CS: Who generally accompanies you to the cage?

VR: I’ll have Danny Castillo with me this time, but my boys always have my back.

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

VR: I like to play the guitar and play with our dogs. My man, Zach and I also enjoy spending time in our garden. Not only is it relaxing, but harvesting all of our delicious fruits and veggies is very rewarding.

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

VR: Everybody at TAM, MMA Inc Management, my friends and family for being so supportive, Faber for showing me what it’s like to be a boss, and I’d like to thank Shannon and Invicta for being awesome.

Fighting Words: Jodie Esquibel

August 7, 2014

by InvictaFC Interviews

Learning to stay in the moment, Jodie Esquibel returns to the Invicta cage September 6th at Invicta FC 8 against newcomer Jinh Yu Frey in an Atomweight showdown.

Corey Smith: After a lengthy boxing career, you eventually made the transition over to MMA. What keeps you competing in MMA?
Jodie Esquibel: My last fight was actually a boxing match. I took the boxing match trying to work on my hands for my MMA style. So I fought the boxing match as if I was fighting a MMA fight. So you could say that I am more focused on MMA right now. It’s where I’m at in my career.
JE: I’ve fought overseas boxing, and I’ve fought the big title fight out of the country. I just feel like I am super motivated and on the right track as far as my MMA career goes. I’m fighting for Invicta, and it’s the best women’s organization, if not the best organization for MMA right now. So I’m exactly where I need to be, and focusing on MMA.

CS: You have trained at Jackson’s/Winkeljohn’s since before they were one gym. What types of changes has the gym and team gone through over the years?
JE: It’s a great change. Things are only getting better. With the coaching staff, we have brought on more coaches, and I have more training partners now that we are merged into one gym. I train with the best guys in the world. It doesn’t necessarily mean that I am sparring with Jon Jones or the Andrei Arlovski’s or Alistair Overeems. But they stay after practice, and we sit down and they say “hey you dropped your right hand.” Are you kidding me? To be able to have that knowledge in the gym, and merge as one big family has been great.
JE: We plan on moving into a bigger facility in the next year or two. Mike Winkeljohn has a big part to do with that, and how we stay on top of our game with conditioning, strength, and recently he has become a big advocate for fighter safety. I’m just lucky.

CS: With training camp injuries a common occurrence in MMA, how do you balance getting the full amount of training that you require but still guarding against injury?
JE: It’s hard. Training accidents are going to happen. The cool thing is, we are a big family here, and so I trust my training partners. If some freak accident happens in training camp, than oh well, we will figure it out. We go hard though, and I trust them, we trust each other.
JE: We are just careful; we are not a bunch of newbies coming up trying to just knock each other’s heads off. We are really technical, and we can take it to the edge and be technical, but still be safe. That’s most important.

CS: What were your first thoughts when the content distribution deal was announced between the Invicta FC and UFC FightPass?
JE: I thought it was great! I knew to just stay positive throughout the layoff. I believe in Shannon, and I believe in Julie. I knew they were going to figure out what they needed, and what was going to be the best for us. So I put my faith in them, and we came out with the UFC FightPass deal. It’s unbelievable. Shannon has been providing that platform for the fighters, and now we have an even bigger platform than before. It’s great. It’s amazing.

CS: You last fought in April of 2013 for Invicta FC. How do you combat any concerns of ring rust after such a long layoff?
JE: No. Not really. I am excited to get back in there. A punch is a punch. Once the gloves start to fly, it will shake off. It hasn’t been that long in my eyes, and I was very active during the layoff, spending the time to get better. I don’t feel like it was a super long layoff, and I am not worried about that at all.

CS: On September 6th you will square off against Jinh Yu Frey at Invicta FC 8. What are you expecting out of yourself and your opponent that night?
JE: I think it’s a great matchup. I think I’ve said it before if stylistically you match up well then you expect a battle. I think she is great, and it is a great matchup. I don’t really pay attention to my opponent. There is nothing that I can change about how they are preparing.
JE: I’m just assuming she is going to train as hard as she can. It’s her first Invicta fight, and that’s a big motivation. I’m just going to train as hard as I can, and get myself to a point where I can perform at my best.

CS: What is your mood on fight night? Do you have any routines or superstitions that you have to perform?
JE: You know what? I did earlier on in my amateur career. I always had to have my right hand taped first, or something like that. My mood is calm; I’m trying to conserve energy. I’m about to go max effort, and try to win this extremely tough athletic competition before the night is up. So to me, to expel extra energy is useless.
JE: I like to stay calm, and I like to stay cool and just hang out. I don’t like the idea of superstitions because you don’t want anything to mess with you. Say Stitch accidentally does your left hand before your right, and then you freak out. You are already in a high stress environment, you are about to get punched in the face. Anything you can alleviate is better, so just go with it. Enjoy the journey, and try to stay away from superstitions.

CS: Who generally accompanies you to the cage? What type of feedback and coaching do you prefer from your corners?
JE: I work very closely with striking coach Brandon Gibson, and of course Mike Winkeljohn, along with Greg Jackson. Lucky for me, I have Keith Jardine in my corner too. Keith usually flies out with me, but the coaches come out later. I guess that’s too many corners, but who’s counting right? I am super lucky. It’s crazy to even say. Greg Jackson and Mike Winkeljohn are legends. Brandon Gibson is one of the best striking coaches in the world. And I have them all in my corner. Are you kidding me? I’m super lucky.
JE: I didn’t think that it would be this way, but I can hear Keith’s voice very clearly. Greg is unbelievably clear, and they all work so well together that no one is ever yelling over anybody. They are just simply talking. I can hear what they are calling out. I always thought that I wouldn’t be able to hear Keith, because I hear him every single day at the house, but he is very clear to me. I trust his voice, so that helps me too.
JE: In the very beginning it was hard for me to take direction from Keith, which it shouldn’t have been because he is a legend himself and so smart. Sometimes it’s just hard to hear your significant other tell you “hey you are dropping your right hand.” In my head I think “you don’t know, I was tired or whatever.” But he does know, and he’s been there.
JE: I just had to get over my own ego to benefit from what he was offering. He is just a wealth of knowledge, and I am lucky to just get over myself. I ask him to watch me spar or how I got taken down that day, and that’s our conversation over dinner.

CS: Fighters seem to be split on the benefits of being in a relationship with a fellow fighter. What do you believe the advantages are?
JE: I think it’s good. It’s fun to have someone that understands the weight cut, and understands the ups and downs of camp. I got my ass kicked today, and I want to talk about it. If you haven’t fought competitively in a combat sport, you don’t know what it feels like. You don’t know the feelings. Team sports are a lot different, football players, its different when you get in there by yourself.
JE: And to have someone that understands that, it’s huge. Especially to have someone that has competed at the highest level that there is, I’ve benefited from that.

CS: Most fighters list the weight cut as the hardest aspect of being a fighter. Setting that aside, what do you consider the hardest aspect of being a fighter?
JE: I think just finding that balance. I think a lot of us over commit ourselves to training, or miss family events. And maybe it’s just now because I am getting older and I’ve been fighting for a long time that I look back on some things that maybe I didn’t have balance. Missing birthdays or what not just because you are training or in camp. We put our whole lives on hold for eight to ten weeks and just involve ourselves in training if we have the opportunity to fight.
Finding that balance is really hard. It’s hard for young fighters, and it’s hard when you are at the end of your career. It’s a hard thing to do. Finding symmetry in your life, finding things outside of fighting that you enjoy as well. I feel like I’ve done that this last year and I feel like I’ve been able to enjoy camp a little more.
JE: Enjoy the journey, more than just the end. Look past the grueling camp, and just enjoy every single day of it. It’s super important. Before you know it, no matter how many boxing matches or MMA fights you have, you don’t want it to be a blur. Just enjoy the ride, and be present in every single moment. Every single bad day, every single loss. Don’t brush anything off. We are on this amazing journey that not a lot of people get to have, and I’m just trying to find that balance. But it’s hard.

CS: Lastly, MMA takes a team to succeed alone inside the cage. Who would you like to thank?
JE: My team. Without out all my teammates, male or female, I wouldn’t be here. We have a great team here, and I am blown away by the talent that we have.
JE: The coaching staff, which is of course Greg Jackson, Mike Winkeljohn, and Brandon Gibson.
JE: Gracie Barra, Professor Barata and Professor Ortega have all opened their Gracie school for me.
JE: Caveman Coffee for always keeping me fueled. FightChix collaborated with me on the shirt, which is super cool because I’ve never had a shirt before. FightChix jumped on board, and I am super excited to be working with them.
JE: My family, who puts up with me. My mom and my dad have been my rock, my solid.
JE: Keith has always been in my corner.
JE: My team, my coaches. I am blown away by how selfless that they are, and I am humbled by it all. Except for Ike Vallie Flagg.