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Herica Tiburcio: A Record-Setting Performance

Twenty-nine years: the average age of the seven women who have worn Invicta gold around their waists at the time they captured the belt.

Twenty-two years: the age of Herica Tiburcio when she makes her promotional debut on Dec. 5 at Invicta FC 10 in Houston.

The Brazilian will challenge current atomweight champion Michelle Waterson for the 105-pound title in the night’s main event live on UFC Fight Pass.

“I believe there is no age to be a champion,” Tiburcio proclaimed. “Jon Jones was a very young champion in the UFC and I want to be the youngest Invicta FC champion.”

The native of Bragança Paulista, which lies roughly an hour’s drive north of São Paulo, was originally tabbed to face Ayaka Hamasaki at Invicta FC 9 in November. However, due to issues with the visa process in her native Brazil, she was forced out of the bout. Little did she know that the unfortunate circumstances would be a blessing in disguise.

“I was disappointed,” recalled Tiburcio of the cancellation. “But sometimes bad things comes for better things in the future. I believe in God and I put everything in his hands. Look at the outcome: a title fight.”

With the stakes raised for her debut, it would be easy to understand if Tiburcio was battling nerves in anticipation of her first bout in the United States. Yet, the Gato Team/Inside Gold Team/Barbosa B9 fighter remains largely unfazed by the change.

“I’m a bit nervous, yes, but my happiness is much bigger,” quipped the Brazilian. “Whatever Shannon [Knapp] and Julie [Kedzie] wants me to do, I will. I have never chosen a fight in my whole life. I’ll fight anyone, anywhere.

“I’m very glad that I’m making my debut in a title fight. I’m very prepared.”

Although Tiburcio may be six years younger than champion Waterson, the Brazilian doesn’t lack experience. She’s already competed 10 times as a professional in her home country, winning eight times. And of those eight career victories, six have come by either armbar or guillotine choke. Similarly, Waterson has earned seven of her 12 career wins on the ground.

“I trust a lot in my BJJ, and her submission wins don’t affect me,” Tiburcio declared of her match-up with the champion.

Despite her confidence on the mat, Tiburcio isn’t underestimating the reigning queen of the 105-pound division. With both fighters possessing proven ground prowess, a battle on the mat would seem inevitable when the cage door shuts in Houston. However, Tiburcio is expecting Waterson to live up to her moniker of “The Karate Hottie.”

“She is the champion for one reason: she is very good,” admitted the challenger. “I guarantee there will be a lot of striking in this fight.”

Tiburcio may be a new face to Invicta FC, but it’s no surprise that she’s undeterred by her clash with the champion. After all, she’s spent a large portion of her career competing outside her natural weight class, even squaring off against former Invicta No. 1 contender Claudia Gadelha in her native Brazil.

“Most of my fights were at 115 [pounds], but I feel that 105 is a better weight class for me. I’m feeling very good, and I’ll be very strong on the day of the fight,” she predicted.

Just the opportunity to compete under the Invicta banner is something that Tiburcio is relishing. She’s determined to make the fans take notice of her presence with the promotion.

“[This is] the realization of my biggest dream. I always wanted to fight for Invicta and I plan to be here for a very long time,” said Tiburcio.

“I promise I’ll fight my heart out on Dec. 5. Count on a war, the ‘Fight of the Night.’”

So what does the young fighter think of her chances at leaving the cage as the youngest champion in promotional history?

“If God wants it, I’ll be the new Invicta FC champion.”


Herica would like to thank God, her family, all of her training partners, her team: Gato Team, Inside Gold Team, Barbosa B9, her manager: Stefano Sartori and all of her fans.

News-Alexa-Grasso-For-Family

Alexa Grasso: For Family and Country

At 21 years of age, most young adults are uncertain of what their future holds.

Not Mexico’s Alexa Grasso.

The strawweight, who carries an unblemished record of 5-0, made her Invicta Fighting Championships debut in September and bested Ashley Cummins by decision. That experience was a life-changing event for the fighter.

“It was a shock wave; it was amazing,” described Grasso. “I was very excited to fight. So many times I dreamed of that day.”

Success in her first Invicta appearance, along with her early career triumphs, prompted Grasso to re-evaluate her career path.

“After my fourth fight, which was pretty hard, it made me wonder if [fighting] was really what I wanted,” admitted Grasso. “The days after [the fight], I had a beautiful feeling which made me realize that this is what I want.”

Once her mind was clear regarding her fighting career, Grasso took things a step further.

“I decided to pause my studies,” revealed Grasso. “I am in a very important part of my career as a fighter and I really want to put all my attention and efforts into my preparation.”

Instead of balancing homework with training sessions, the Lobo Gym product now finds herself following the same path many of her family members have already gone down inside the boxing ring.

“My family has been a very important part in my life as a fighter,” she explained. “They know exactly what it’s like being on a diet, they know how the body feels after hard workouts and they are always attentive to my needs for my preparation. They understand the passion that is felt being a fighter.”

So why did Grasso choose to blaze her own trail in the cage instead of the ring?

“Boxing is great and I love it, but I think it makes me a very complete fighter to use my whole body to finish my fights compared to only my fists,” said the Guadalajara-based fighter.

Under the tutelage of her uncle and father, Grasso has compiled a record that includes three sub-minute knockouts. She’ll return to action at Invicta FC 10 on Friday, Dec. 5, in Houston. Across the cage will be native Texan Alida Gray, who also possesses three career wins with her fists.

“I think she is an excellent fighter,” proclaimed Grasso of her opponent. “This will be a great show. I hope everybody can watch it on UFC Fight Pass.”

Although Grasso is still very young, she and her Lobo Gym teammate, bantamweight Irene Aldana, are already captivating Mexican fight fans with their talent. The pair both scored wins at Invicta FC 8 and will look to do so again in Houston.

“It was a very big achievement for both of us,” recalled Grasso of their September victories. “It was very important because we showed that there are also good-quality fighters in Mexico.

“We have all eyes on our performances. Invicta is the most important MMA league for women, and it makes me proud to be part of the event.”

If Grasso is able to get past Gray on Dec. 5, her perfect record will undoubtedly land her in title talk at 115 pounds.

“As a fighter, I should be ready for any opportunity that comes my way,” she declared. “So if I have the opportunity to fight for a title, it’s something I cannot let go.

“It would fulfill one of my biggest goals. That’s why I train so hard every day.”

With her country and her family in her corner, Grasso’s hopes for victory—and one day a championship belt—may soon be a reality.

“I do this because I love it. I really believe that when you do things with heart and enjoy them, wishes come true.”


Alexa would like to thank her coaches, Francisco Grasso and Tito Castro, for making her a great person inside and outside the cage, her teammates who have sweated every day with her, her sponsors for taking care of her health and always supporting her, and finally, her dad, who has been living this dream by her side.

Fighting Words: Barb Honchak

Fighting before a hometown crowd for the first time in her career, Invicta FC Flyweight Champion Barb Honchak looks to defend her title for a second time. Her Invicta FC 9 challenger; Japan’s Takayo Hashi.

 

 

Corey Smith: November 1st will mark the fifth time you have fought for Invicta FC, making you one of the longest tenured athletes in the promotion. Are your comfortable being one of the most well known Invicta FC athletes? How has your relationship been with the company?

Barb Honchak: InvictaFC has been good to me.  They are always accessible to their athletes and have always been honest and upfront with me.

 

 

CS: What were your thoughts when you first learned of the Inivcta FightPass deal?

BH: Job Security!  I had faith in InvictaFC’s longevity from the beginning, but the hiatus over the last year was a little unnerving.

 

 

CS: The UFC now has two female weight divisions, below and above your current weight class. Have you given any thought to potentially fighting for the UFC?

BH: Yes, I have thought about fighting for the UFC.  I think any and all fighters look for that opportunity.  I would certainly consider an offer from the UFC.

 

 

CS: You have a degree in Molecular Biology, along with a Masters degree in Ecology and Genetics. What job does one utilize those degrees in?

BH: The last job I held utilizing my degree was as a laboratory manager at Washington University in St. Louis.  I have held several positions as a lab technician.   The degrees are wide reaching in that the skills I acquired allowed me to have options of working in natural science or medical science.

 

 

CS: Your fighting career is very unique for the science field. Are your colleagues aware of your fighting career? What type of feedback do you receive from them?

BH: I no longer work in the field.  But when I did, I certainly had some awkward weeks trying to explain my black eyes, cuts or staph infections to people.   I got pretty talented with my makeup application but of course I had many mixed reactions regarding my injuries.  I initially did not tell anyone what I did, but as the injuries built up; more and more people became privy to what I did outside of the University.

 

 

CS: This will be the first time you fight before what will essentially be a hometown crowd. What advantages do you believe that brings? Any disadvantages?

BH: So far, I see no disadvantages.  I feel like my hometown crowd will provide amazing and exciting energy for me during the fight. I can cook in my own kitchen for my entire weight cut and will not have to find dog sitters!  I am very excited that after the fight, I will be sleeping in my own bed and will have no airport time to make the next morning.

 

 

CS: Your opponent on November 1st. Takayo Hashi, has won titles in two Japanese promotions, along with challenging for the Strikeforce title. Do you believe her championship experience will add to her in ring skills?

BH: Yes, having experience of championship rounds and how you perform during those rounds is an advantage that I am not sure all of my opponents have had.  She has been there so there is less fear of it for her.

 

 

CS: Backstage before your bout, how would you describe your mindest? We see some fighters quiet and nervous until they are in the cage, while others are loud and boisterous the entire night.

BH: Every fight is different, but I am usually pretty relaxed and quiet.

 

 

CS: What types of activities do you enjoy to help you recharge or keep focus during training camp?

BH: I like joking around with my friends and team but mostly I am a homebody and enjoy time with my husband and pets.

 

 

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

BH: I have so many great teammates at MFS and could not be where I am with out them.  My coach Junior Hernandez gets the most credit for my success along with Josh Howatt, Pat Miletich, Nate Schroeder and Jens Pulver.

 

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 PassClick below to subscribe to UFC FightPass.

 

 

 

 

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Fighting Words: Takayo Hashi

Takayo Hashi returns to the United States to challenge for yet another world title, this time squaring off with Invicta FC World Flyweight Champion Barb Honchak at Invicta FC 9, November 1st.

 

 

Corey Smith: You were initially inspired to get involved with martial arts after watching your brother compete. What was the initial training experience like for you?

Takayo Hashi: It was really fun. There were so many things I didn’t know and that’s why I continued training.

 

 

CS: Do you remember a point where you began to believe that mixed martial arts might be something that you could do professionally?

TH: It’s not like I wanted to be a pro. I just kept on training and one day I got an offer to fight so I took it and next thing I know I was a pro MMA fighter.

 

 

CS: Having fought both in Japan and the United States, what strikes you as the main difference between American MMA and Japanese MMA?

TH: Fighting itself is the same anywhere. But, fighting in US means, first, usually against tougher opponents, and also, there are many other extra things I need to do such as obtain my visa and all so that can be little distracting to my training schedule.

 

 

CS: In Japan you have won both the JEWELS and Smackgirl Middleweight titles. What do you believe those wins did for your career both in and outside the cage?

TH: I got a chance to fight in FFF and Strikeforce because I won the title in Smack Girl.

TH:And in a same sense I think I got the chance for this title fight because I won DEEP JEWELS belt so in that sense all these titles lead me to bigger opportunities.

 

 

CS: Your opponent on November 1st, Barb Honchak, is the reigning and defending Invicta FC Flyweight champion. What do you believe will be the key to your championship matchup?

TH: I think Barb is truly an all-round fighter because she can do anything.

TH: I expect her to be really strong especially in the grappling department.

TH: For me to win, I need to make sure that I have to hold my line, and be persistent.

 

 

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

TH: I do whatever I can do to make myself concentrate on a fight. Sometimes that can be stretching and that can be just relaxing.

 

 

CS: What type of feedback and coaching do you prefer from your corners during a fight?

TH: My corner men always provide me with choices and suggestions and are also really good at telling me what’s going on in there where I can’t really see.

 

 

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

TH: I do watch MMA fight as a fighter because I always think abaout MMA technique when I am watching.

 

 

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

TH:  My hobby is scuba diving. I have a license so just few months ago I went to Okinawa to dive.

 

 

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

TH: I would like to thank Invicta and DEEP JEWELS for providing me this opportunity.

TH: Also all my sponsors – Alienware, Manto, Demons, Shuto, Shirakaba Dental Clinich and Music MMA.

 

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 PassClick below to subscribe to UFC FightPass.

 

 

 

 

ticketmasterlogo

 

 

UFC-Fight-Pass

 

Fighting Words: Karolina Kowalkiewicz

Preferring to let her performance in the cage do the talking, Poland’s Karolina Kowalkiewicz makes her Invicta FC debut November 1st at Invcita FC 9 against Japanese phenom Mizuki Inoue.

 

 

Corey Smith:  You initially took up Krav Maga at age sixteen, before transition over to mixed martial arts for the excitement. You have stated you did not believe you would fight professionally initially. At what point did that change? What were the first few years of training like for you?

Karolina Kowalkiewicz: When I started to train MMA for fun and for myself I wasn’t thinking about fighting. There were not many female fighters and fight offers anyway.

KK: One of my coaches persuaded me to take an amateur Muay Thai fight and I liked it. I was fighting stand up fights few times and I tried amateur MMA twice before receiving first pro offer. I decided to try it and here I am.

 

 

CS: You live and fight in Poland. How would you describe the MMA community in both Poland and Europe in general?

KK: I never fought outside Poland so far, so I can’t tell much about MMA in Europe. On Poland it is still a young sport, but it is developing very fast. The competition level is getting higher and higher and local promotions are growing bigger.

KK: We have a lot of great athletes in Poland, so if you never heard about any, don’t worry, you will hear about them soon.

 

 

CS: This will be your first bout outside of Europe. Are you concerned with any additional difficulties fighting overseas?

KK: I have no worries but I am very curious how it is to fight overseas. There is time zone change, jet lag and I still have to make weight. I like a new experience and to be challenged so I am looking forward to it and I am very happy for my US debut.

 

 

CS: Your opponent on November 1st, Mizuki Inoue is the current JEWELS Lightweight champion. What do you believe is the key to your matchup with Inoue?

KK: We have a gameplan prepared. I will enter the cage and try to do my job as good as I can to get a win as a result. I believe in my win but I know that Mizuki is confident as well. It is MMA fight so in fact anything can happen.

 

 

CS: Where do you believe a win against Inoue would place you in the Invicta FC Strawweight division?

KK: I will answer that question after my hand will be raised on November 1st.

 

 

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

KK: I am very emotional on a fight day but in a positive way. I am very excited and can’t wait to step into the cage. I often get moved and even cry, but I am very calm and focused when the fight is close. I don’t have any routines. I try to sleep well, relax, eat well and listen to some music.

 

 

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

KK: I always have my coach Marcin Rogowski in my corner and the rest of the team is various. I do not expect anything specific as I know they are all prepared and know what to do. I have great luck that I’ve always had fantastic people with me and they give me a 110% boost.

 

 

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

KK: I am often attending MMA events in Poland to support my teammates. I love that atmosphere and that feeling when my friends are fighting. Definitely I prefer to watch MMA live rather than on TV or online. I am only watching Invicta FC and the most stacked UFC cards online.

 

 

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

KK: Before I started to do MMA as a pro I liked extreme sports. Parachuting, scuba diving, etc. I even finished school for movie stunts. Now if I have few days free I am going south of Poland.

KK: Hill walking helps me relax, forget about problems and charge my power battery. If I can’t go to the mountains I am taking a friend to local MMA events. On a daily basis I like to watch a movie, listen to some music or read a book. I like criminal books most. And I love travelling.

 

 

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

KK: First of all I would like to thank my coach Marcin Rogowski. Without him I would not have reached so far. I consider him the world’s best coach and I cannot even imagine preparing for a fight without him.

KK: I would also like to thank my second coach Adrian Dziarnowski, who believed in me from the very beginning.

KK: All my sparring partners: Marcin Lasota, Damian Szmigielski, Dominik Szmigielski and Dawid Gralka.

KK: My physiatrist Lukasz Stachlewszki and physiologist Michał Garnys. I would also like to thanks my superb manager Pawel Kowalik,

KK:  And all my friends and relatives that are giving me huge support and helping me survive hard times.

KK: Of course I need to thank also my main sponsors: Pit Bull West Coast, DSF Group and MML Medical Clinic.

 

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 PassClick below to subscribe to UFC FightPass.

 

 

 

 

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UFC-Fight-Pass

 

Fighting Words: Herica Tiburcio

Aiming to make an impressive Invicta debut, Brazil’s Herica Tiburcio is ready to launch herself to the top of the Invicta FC Atomweight division with a win over Ayaka Hamasaki November 1st at Invicta FC 9.

 

 

Corey Smith: Other than soccer, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu seems to be the most popular sport in your home country of Brazil. You took up BJJ at age fifteen. How did that come about? What was the first year of training like for you?

Herica Tiburcio: Before I started training I didn’t understand what Jiu Jitsu was all about, but when I started I could feel how amazing it is. It’s wonderful the details of each position, the adjustments, the submissions. Since the first day I never stopped.

 

 

CS: How soon after you began training BJJ did you transition over to other martial arts? And how long before you accepted your first fight?

HT: 2 years after I started Jiu Jitsu I went to Muay Thai. And after that I started to train MMA. My first fight didn’t take too long and I used my BJJ to submit the fighter.

 

 

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?

HT: It was a dream come true when my manager called me and said I would be a Invicta fighter. But my dream is not only being an Invicta fighter – I want to make a impressive debut, grow inside the organization and I want my divisional belt.

 

 

CS: Invicta FC 9 will mark your first bout outside of Brazil. Are you anticipating any additional difficulties fighting in America? Any teammates give you advice about fighting overseas?

HT: I fought the very best Brazilian MMA fighters, I’ve fought two weight classes over mine a few times,  and I’ve already fought on television; I’m ready for this next step.

 

 

CS: Ayaka Hamasaki, your opponent at Invicta FC 9 November 1st, brings a wealth of experience with her into the cage. What do you believe will be the key to your matchup?

HT: The key is never surrender the key is my heart. I don’t care who my opponent is. I know Ayaka is tough, experienced, but I’m also a very tough fighter.

 

 

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

HT: I don’t really believe in superstition. I am always happy on the day of my fights. Training for 2 months, cutting weight is the worst part. The fight day is the happiest day.

 

 

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

HT: Munil Adriano, Sergio “Gato” and Fernando Neguinho. They know me and my game, so they know what advices to give me and also they know when it’s time to motivate me out there.

 

 

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

HT: I always watch MMA, especially WMMA.

 

 

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

HT: I like to be with my friends, talking and laughing.

 

 

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

HT: My BJJ trainer Sergio “Gato”, my headcoach Munil Adriano, Jorge Macaco, my manager Stefano Sartori, and all my teammates, friends and family.

 

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 PassClick below to subscribe to UFC FightPass.

 

 

 

 

ticketmasterlogo

 

 

UFC-Fight-Pass

 

Fighting Words: Kaitlin Young

Battle forged Kaitlin Young brings her exciting and hard charging style back to the Invicta FC cage November 1st at Invicta FC 9 when she goes toe to toe with Cindy Dandois.

 

 

Corey Smith: Your reputation for producing exciting fights coupled with always facing top level talent seems firmly entrenched in the minds of the fans. Have you ever considered turning down any opponent?

Kaitlin Young: I have turned down opponents in the past. If it is a close friend, or a tough opponent coupled with a proportionately low offer, I will say no.

 

 

CS: Several months ago, you received one of the largest gashes on your forehead that most fans had ever seen. How did the gash occur? How long did it take to fully heal?

KY: It was nasty! It was just a training accident. One of my teammates kicked and I shot a double at the same time. I ended up catching his knee on my forehead.  Luckily, the forehead is incredibly hard. The CT scan showed up clean – no concussion or structural damage – just a cut. I count it as a near miss because had it been a couple of inches lower I would have had to have reconstructive surgery.

KY: Healing was a bit delayed because the doctor who completed the stitches was NOT a plastic surgeon. I was told the person who would be coming in to do the stitches WAS a plastic surgeon, and found out later when it was healing poorly that she was not.

KY: I ended up having to have the scar revised because it was so raised where the skin had overlapped. I’m back to full training now, but the last procedure was done in July when the initial injury was in January.

 

 

CS: How do you balance a full training camp with safety and being fresh enough for your actual fight? What does a typical training day entail?

KY:  I just recently relocated to Los Angeles from Minneapolis, so my typical day in camp has changed a great deal from my last MMA fight. The schedule changes day to day. Most days I have a 1.5 – 2 hour practice in the morning, a 1.5-2 hour practice in the evening, with hill running and minimal weight lifting sprinkled in throughout the week. I try to get a nap in before practice #2. I’m paying a lot more attention to the amount of rest I get during camp, which is far more important than I once believed it was. I’ve noticed a big difference in my energy level for practices already.

 

 

CS: Your behind the scenes video at Invicta FC 7 was very popular with the fans. What was that experience like for you?

KY: It was a blast! It was fun to try to capture the things we fighters see all of the time, but the fans are rarely exposed to like cutting weight, hand wrapping, and eating nothing but celery the night before weigh-ins.   For me, it was interesting to see how other fighters do things. When you are there getting ready for your own fight, you aren’t even really noticing what everyone else is doing. At Invicta 7, I watched others prepare. I got to see the different coaching styles, what they were doing to cut weight, etc. I’d love to do something like that again one day.

 

 

CS: You are returning to the Invicta FC cage after more than a year off. Do you have any concerns with ring rust?

KY: I haven’t had an MMA fight in about a year and a half, but I had a K1 fight in Russia with WAKO’s Team USA over the summer. I didn’t feel too rusty then, so I am not worried about it in November.

 

 

CS: Your opponent at Invicta FC 9 on November 1st, Cindy Dandois, is an experienced grappler fighting out of Belgium. How familiar are you with Dandois? Anything in particular you are focusing on in training camp for her?

KY: I have seen most of her fights. I have increased concentration on wrestling for this camp, and am fortunate to have some experienced judo players as training partners.  I will be well-prepared for this match-up.

 

 

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

KY: I tend to fight best when I am relaxed and not too serious prior to the fight. I like to be around people who make me laugh.

 

 

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

KY: As I said before, I have just moved camps so this is new for me. I will have Sevak Ohanjanian and Nick “The Goat” Thompson in my corner for this fight. As a general rule, I prefer a positive coaching style. Tell me what TO DO, not what NOT TO DO.  That is kind of coaching 101 though, and I think most good coaches understand that concept.

 

 

CS: You have begun to do a bit of matchmaking for a local promotion in your home state of Minnesota. How has that experience been? Any new found respect for other matchmakers?

KY: I did, and I’d like to give a shout to Jeremy Bjornberg for that! While I appreciated the experience, honestly, it was a real pain. I loved the opportunity to make fights and create opportunities for guys who are working so hard in the gym. I hated the flakiness of some fighters and managers, which was sometimes blatant cowardice, and then seeing the subsequent social media posts about how tough/badass/up for a challenge they are.

KY: That said, I would recommend the guys who were actually on our card to anyone looking for kickboxers or MT fighters. They all came in shape and fought their hearts out. It gave me a huge appreciation for promoters, and I’m a little surprised any of them do it.

 

 

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

KY: I like to hit the beach, take the dog to the park, watch stand-up comedy or documentaries, and between fights eat copious amounts of baked goods.

 

 

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

KY: I’d really like to thank Sevak, Edmond, and Martin at GFC in Glendale, Josh and Erik at CSW in Fullerton, and Rener and Ryron at Gracie Academy in Torrance for all of the awesome training leading up to this fight.  I’d also like to thank my sponsors Joe Taverni, M.D., and Amber Sports Gear for their continued support. A big thanks to my manager Nick Thompson, and all the training partners who work with me day in and day out. You guys are the best!

 

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 PassClick below to subscribe to UFC FightPass.

 

 

 

 

ticketmasterlogo

 

 

UFC-Fight-Pass

Fighting Words: Liz McCarthy

Lighting Liz McCarthy makes her third appearance in the Invicta cage when she returns to battle Amber Brown November 1st at Invicta FC 9.

 

 

Corey Smith: What initially prompted your interest in mixed martial arts? What made it something that you wanted to stick with?

Liz McCarthy: When I was in college I took a class, I think it was Tae Kwon Do or something really basic, but I don’t think that really had anything to do with me getting into MMA. After that I started doing Jiu Jitsu, and I really liked it, and then started getting into Kickboxing. From there I decided I wanted to fight.

LM: When I first started with Jiu Jitsu, I signed up at this all girl’s Jiu Jitsu gym in Portland which is kind of unique. It was a really fun environment for a girl just starting to get good, because you were always going against girls. So I started getting competitive doing that, and then I did some No-Gi grappling tournaments, and I had a lot fun competing in those. So from there I was doing kickboxing, and since grappling tournaments were fun why not try fighting.

 

 

CS: After training out of Team Quest in Portland, Oregon for several years, you recently made the move to Las Vegas where you train out of Syndicate MMA. What is the gym atmosphere like there?

LM: It’s different. It’s a change from Portland. There are a lot of people that come in through the gym when they are travelling, so you see a lot of different faces. When they have a UFC card in town, people will come the week beforehand to get ready for their fight, or they’ll come because they have training partners fighting, so it’s a different atmosphere. We see big names all the time, which is cool.

LM: We moved to Vegas because we decided that if I really wanted to take fighting seriously, I needed new training partners, and more girls to train with. Vegas just seemed like the best place to start with. There are so many gyms in such a small area, and there is a large group of girls there too.

 

 

CS: November 1st will mark you third appearance for Invicta FC. What has your experience been like with the company?

LM: So far the other two times that I fought for Invicta, I had a great experience. I know that it’s going to be a little different this time since it’s not in Kansas anymore, this card is in Iowa. I’m excited to see how things are going to go with it being in a new location, but so far my relationship with Shannon and Invicta has always been really positive.

 

 

CS: What were your initial thoughts when you learned of the Invicta FightPass distribution deal?

LM: It’s really exciting. Hopefully Invicta will get a lot more exposure that way; I think Invicta was already gaining popularity. When you put something like that on a network where there are already a lot of fight fans, I think they can tap into that with Invicta. Hopefully we will just see the fan base grow, because hopefully people that weren’t familiar with Invicta have the opportunity to just log on and watch it on FightPass.

 

 

CS: Your opponent at Invicta FC 9, Amber Brown, brings a similar level of experience and background in boxing. What do you believe will be the key to your matchup?

LM: I know she is kind of a boxer, she likes to stand and bang like me, so I would guess we would both end up standing and swinging it out. You can always go in with whatever game plan you want, but when you get punched in the face things change quick.

 

 

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

LM: I don’t think I have any superstitions, but I like to spend a lot of time with my headphones. I’ll listen to a lot of music on fight day to keep my mood up. I try not to overthink about the fight until it’s actually time to warm up and get going. So I’ll try to focus on other things during the day for the most part, until it’s time to get going.

LM: The waiting is the worst part. If we could just fight tomorrow, it would be so much easier. With all the training for six weeks, then you just sit there and wait.

 

 

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

LM: I walk out with my coach John Heath. And as far as coach that is not overly excited in the cage. You see some coaches that are just screaming and yelling the whole time, and I respond better with someone that just says one thing clearly. Someone who uses key words that I can cue into. I will always have Coach Heath with me because I have been working with him for so long, and he knows the key words to use. But overall just a more calm coach.

 

 

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

LM: If they have a card on, we are watching it. If it’s on TV, or it was on TV the day before and we have it on DVR, we watch. It all goes on the DVR and we watch it. UFC FightPass is the best thing ever because anytime we have down time we can watch something, watched some archived fight footage.

 

 

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

LM: I like spending time with my dog, and I like going hiking. We try to do that a lot to switch it up. I also ride horses.

 

 

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

LM: Big thanks to my sponsor Dragon Do Fight Gear.

LM: My strength and conditioning coach Mike at Dominate Your Game.

LM: My head coach John Heath, and my boxing coach Clayton Hires.

LM: And my training partners, including: Jamie Moyle and Roxanne Modafferi.

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 PassClick below to subscribe to UFC FightPass.

 

 

 

 

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UFC-Fight-Pass

Barb Honchak: A Champion’s Legacy

Ascending to the top of one’s sport is no easy task. For a select few, natural talent provides a shortcut to the upper echelon, but it’s hard work that defines champions.

Invicta FC flyweight champion Barb Honchak is the embodiment of the sacrifice and dedication it takes to stand atop the world.

Most fighters have spent years in the wrestling room or competing in a traditional martial art before they ever consider stepping into a cage, but not all of them.

“I was never a super athletic person. I wasn’t the all-star in high school. I wasn’t anything like that,” admitted Honchak. “It was just hard work and grinding that has gotten me here. There’s no magic pill. There’s nothing special or unique about me that got me where I am. I want people to know that anybody can be here if they’re willing to make the sacrifices and willing to put the work in. You can be a champion in your sport.”


Honchak’s assessment of what it takes to reach the pinnacle of the sport may appear understated, but her path to the top of the flyweight ranks has been anything but typical. Most fighters do their best to avoid distractions leading up to their fights, yet Honchak’s resume includes fighting just one week prior to getting married.

“Not only was it the week before my wedding, but it was the first fight I ever did,” recalled the 35-year-old. “The only thing that was kind of rough was that I didn’t tell anybody that I was fighting. My husband knew—or fiancé at the time—but my mom didn’t know, nobody else knew.

“I was pretty unscathed for my wedding. [My opponent] poked me in the eye and my eyeball was still red during the wedding. When I was putting makeup on, my mom saw the spot in my eye and asked me what happened. At the time, I knew she would not take it well. So I told her I’d tell her after the wedding.”

The Illinois native’s desire to keep her newfound passion a secret might come as a surprise to those familiar with her recent successes under the Invicta banner. However, at the time, Honchak was uncertain about even stepping into the cage.

“When I took that fight, it was just more of, can I do this? Can I get in a fight? I never knew. It kind of scared me and I wanted to know if I could,” explained the fighter. “That was the first fight I had ever been in, period. I’ve never been in a street fight or anything like that. I wasn’t the type of kid that said ‘Hey, you and me at the playground after school.’ I never did anything like that unless you count slapping fights with my sister when I was little.”

Honchak’s first foray into the world of MMA was a success, and her initial taste left her hungry for more.

“As soon as the fight was over, I looked at my coach and said, ‘When’s the next one?’” remembered Honchak. “I knew I wanted to do it again, but I had ZERO expectations about making it a career at that point. It was just a hobby.”


Nearly a decade ago, MMA—especially the women’s side of the sport—lacked stability. At the time, Honchak was putting her bachelor’s degree in molecular biology and her master’s degrees in ecology and genetics to use at a regular job in St. Louis.

In her off time, Honchak trained under the tutelage of UFC veteran Steve Berger. It was under Berger’s wing that Honchak honed her skills on the grappling mat and picked up a moniker along the way.

“Steve’s a roofer and did construction type work throughout his life. He would bring guys in who were big and burly and have them roll with me,” said Honchak. “I would sub them and Steve would say, ‘She’s a little warrior.’ It was kind of a pet name at first, but it just stuck.”

The more time Honchak spent training and fighting, the more her hobby began spilling over into her day job. She faced a crossroads in her young career.

“I was working as a lab manager for Washington University in St. Louis. I had a great boss there. He would deal with me coming in with black eyes, cuts and staph infections, things like that. He was extremely accommodating,” stated Honchak.

“My husband was actually the one who really encouraged me to drop my job and try it full-time. I started so late in the game. I wasn’t getting any younger. It’s not like I had a ton of time to make a decision on it. He was constantly telling me, ‘If you don’t make a real run at it, you’re going to regret it.’ It started resonating in my own head that he’s right. It was terrifying to leave a solid position with a regular salary and health benefits, that security.”

Given the volatile nature of the women’s side of the sport at that point in time, Honchak’s decision to become a full-time fighter was even tougher.

“At the time, Invicta didn’t even exist. We watched promotion after promotion for women go under. It wasn’t a real smart move at the time to drop my good, secure job to try to fight,” said Honchak with a laugh. “I thought I’d give it a year and see where it went. That’s what we did and luckily Invicta came along.”


In the years before Honchak would join the Invicta roster, she faced a gauntlet of fights unlike what most fighters experience early in their career. Among her opponents were current or former UFC fighters Roxanne Modafferi, Nina Ansaroff, Felice Herrig and Angela Magana.

Yet, it wasn’t any of those notables that left the biggest impression on the fighter.

“I always go back to my fight against Cat Zingano. That fight will always be my most meaningful fight. It was a great fight. Cat’s a monster. She was by far the toughest fight,” declared Honchak of the current UFC bantamweight No. 1 contender.

“Up until Cat, it all felt like a sport. When I fought Cat, it felt like life and death. That is how she fights. That’s how she looks at it. She’s going to kill you if she can. Not only was that fight important in realizing what I had to do and changes I needed to make in my training, but she’s one of my best friends now. She’s become a critical person in my life. I learned so much about fighting, and the relationship I gained with her changed my fight career and me as a person completely.”

The bout with Zingano in early 2010 was the catalyst for numerous significant changes in Honchak’s life and career.

“When I started this, I didn’t know where exactly I was going with it. I was still working a full-time job at that point. I was still training like it was a hobby instead of a career. I don’t even think I’d put in a conditioning regime up until that point,” revealed the Little Warrior.

“It was after I fought Cat that I realized I either needed to drop to 115 [pounds] or start beefing up. Cat asked me to come out and be a training partner for her next fight. So I got to see how she did it. They introduced me to things like supplements and how taking your protein is important.

“It was an eye-opener. I started seeing it as a profession, not just a hobby. I saw how to train, how to do it right. Cat just fought; that’s all she did and that’s why she’s so good. It can be a career.”


The first major change for Honchak was to leave Missouri. Along with her husband, Timm, she headed to the Quad Cities and settled down to train at Miletich Fighting Systems (MFS) in Bettendorf, Iowa.

“My learning curve skyrocketed when I came over here,” declared Honchak. “There was a whole different knowledge base. Steve [Berger] had a lot to offer, but I got a whole different perspective on fighting once I came here.”

The new perspective was in large part due to the history surrounding the gym. In addition to the gym’s founder, Pat Miletich, MFS had produced a long list of top fighters through the years, including Matt Hughes, Jens Pulver, Tim Sylvia, Jeremy Horn and Robbie Lawler. Honchak now had a championship tradition to follow.

“Miletich was huge back in the day, but then it sort of fell off the planet for a while,” said Honchak. “Right around the time that I moved here, there were two men [Michael Reddish and Eli Shetler] who bought the gym and committed to bringing Miletich back, having champions, having fighters in the UFC. That was their whole goal.

“One of those men [Reddish], in the last year, died of cancer. But I got that belt before he left. So, for me, there was a huge emotional component to it. He not only got to see me get the belt, but he saw me defend it, too. I felt like I helped them bring their goals to light. They had a world champion in the gym again. That meant a lot to me to give him that.”

Capturing Invicta gold is something that Honchak hopes is just the tip of the iceberg for MFS. The environment has helped her climb to the top of the flyweight division, but she believes others will follow suit.

“We have some serious up-and-comers in the gym. They just need some fights to get their face out there. It’s only a matter of time before the rest of the team is right behind me getting their titles and getting on the big shows,” she proclaimed. “Our coach, Junior [Hernandez], is so knowledgeable. We still have Pat in the gym helping people. Jens Pulver has recently come back and started coaching again. I’m watching our owners’ dream come to light and it’s pretty awesome. I think it’s just a matter of time before Miletich’s name is back in the mainstream of the MMA world and not as a commentator, but as a team.”

In addition to the knowledge base at her disposal, Honchak credits the gym for helping her find the competitive edge she once saw firsthand in Zingano.

“After I made the switch over to Pat’s gym, I got meaner! It made me meaner. Instead of worrying about hurting people, it was time to worry about finishing people. This whole team is meaner than my previous team.

“I’ve just gotten meaner and meaner—in the cage, not outside the cage,” she quipped with a laugh.


The mean streak that Honchak developed at MFS was instrumental in earning her a spot on the Invicta roster, as well as in her march to the top. After stopping Bethany Marshall at Invicta FC 2 with strikes and besting Aisling Daly at Invicta FC 3, Honchak was matched against Vanessa Porto for the promotion’s inaugural flyweight belt. Honchak cruised past the Brazilian to capture the title and then followed it up with a dominant win over Leslie Smith in December.

Riding an eight-fight winning streak and already established as the best in the world at 125 pounds, Honchak wants to keep it that way. In fact, she’s aiming to be an example for the other fighters in her weight class.

“I feel like I need to set the bar for ’25ers, and I want to set that bar pretty high,” she declared. “I have a bull’s eye on my back. I’m No. 1. I’ve got the title.

“I expect girls to come at me. That’s what I want. I want them to come up trying to take my head off. That’s their job. That’s what they should be doing. When girls are training, they’re looking at me as the person they need to be training for. If and when somebody takes that title from me, that girl’s going to be a monster.”

With so much on her shoulders, it would be easy for Honchak to crumble under the weight. Yet, the 35-year-old isn’t about to let that happen.

“Pressure is only what you let it be,” she explained. “The idea of pressure is something that people put on themselves. It’s something that people make in their own head; it’s not real.

“There are expectations of you, but they don’t really matter. The only expectations that matter are your own. To me, if you let everything else go, then the pressure’s not all that much. My team’s going to love me no matter what. My family’s going to love me no matter what. The people that matter to me are still going to be there when the smoke clears, regardless of the results. I really try to not let pressure be a factor. It’s not real unless I let it be real.

“I don’t feel a ton of pressure in any of my fights.”


The harness that Honchak has over pre-fight pressure is going to serve her well as she prepares for her second title defense on Saturday, Nov. 1, against Japan’s Takayo Hashi, live on UFC Fight Pass. For the first time in promotional history, Invicta will travel outside of its base in Kansas City and visit the River Center in Davenport, Iowa—just outside Honchak’s gym in Bettendorf.

“It’s pretty awesome!” an excited Honchak proclaimed. “I feel like the Quad Cities is such a historic, meaningful place [in MMA] being that Miletich started there and helped develop the sport. It’s historic since it’s the first place Invicta is going outside of Kansas City.

“I have a good feel for that venue and the area. I feel like my energy is already there. It’s a venue that our guys have fought in a ton of times. I’ve been there a lot. It’s going to be my crowd.”

Admittedly, Honchak wasn’t always excited by the idea of fighting in front of family and friends. It was just one of the hurdles she had to overcome in her fighting career.

“In my pro career, I’ve only fought in my hometown one other time,” explained the fighter. “As an amateur, I fought in Sullivan, Mo., which is an hour outside St. Louis, but it’s pretty rare that I’ve gotten to fight where I train and where I live.

“When I was younger in the sport, I wouldn’t tell anybody where I was fighting because I didn’t like the crowd. I didn’t want my mom to see me get punched in the face. So I used to not like to fight at home.

“The more I did it, the energy, the cheering, hearing familiar voices and it’s like, alright, I’ve got to go. Everybody I know is going to see, whether it’s on pay-per-view or some other way. Now I just take the positive part of it. It helps.”


With her dominant performances against Porto and Smith inside the Invicta cage, Honchak has already cemented herself as one of the best female fighters in the world. However, as she prepares to headline her second Invicta event in her hometown, she’s out to make a statement.

“I think it’s super exciting to be the main event on UFC Fight Pass. I want to put on an exciting fight so fans can see what we can do, what we are. I want to represent Invicta well and put on a show,” said the champion.

Honchak shouldn’t have much trouble achieving her goal of an exciting fight when she squares off with Hashi. The Japanese fighter has been in the cage with many of the sport’s elite, including the aforementioned Zingano and Modafferi, as well as Sarah Kaufman and Tara LaRosa. In 18 career fights, Zingano is one of only two women to stop Hashi.

“I did talk to Cat about Takayo and she told me she’s extremely resilient,” said Honchak. “[They had a] very tough fight. Cat hasn’t had too many fights go the distance, and they went into the third round. I’m expecting her to be tough.”

Given Honchak’s close relationship with Zingano and Zingano’s familiarity with Hashi in the cage, it would easy for Honchak to adjust her strategy for the fight, but she insists that’s not the case.

“I talked to Cat about what she thought of her, but I’m just going to go in there and fight another fight,” Honchak declared. “I don’t know that I really game-plan. I’m more worried about what I’m going to do to her, not what she’s going to do to me.

“I’ve heard champion and champion and champion say that they just train to make themselves better. I pretty much do the same thing. If you worry about them, then you worry about them. If you just worry about yourself, you execute what you want to do.”

Six of Honchak’s nine career wins have come on the scorecards, and 10 of Hashi’s 14 career wins have gone the distance. From a pure numbers standpoint, there’s a strong chance the pair will be battling for the full 25 minutes on Nov. 1, but that doesn’t mean Honchak is content with needing the judges.

“I’m always looking to finish,” she said with emphasis. “I don’t want it to go five rounds, but I’m fighting the best in the world, the top contenders. They want my title and they’re not going down easy. They’re not giving up, not giving in, not breaking.

“I expect that again with Takayo. I’m ready for five rounds.”


After close to a decade in the sport, Honchak has done much more than turn a hobby into a career. Although she’s already captured Invicta gold and is considered one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the sport, neither is her ultimate goal.

“I just want to be remembered. That’s really all I can ask for,” admitted Honchak. “I want to be remembered as one of the pioneering women in the sport. I think about the people like Robbie Lawler, Matt Hughes, Jens Pulver, all these guys. Those are legacies. Those are people who will never be forgotten in the sport because they were the originals. That’s what I want to be remembered as.”

Without question, Honchak has already made her mark on the sport. An impressive win over Hashi on Nov. 1 will be another building block towards the legacy that she desires.


Honchak would like to thank Invicta, her teammates and coaches at Miletich Fighting Systems, and Big Five Strength and Conditioning.

Fighting Words: Cindy Dandois

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 PassClick below to subscribe to UFC FightPass.

 

 

 

 

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