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FIGHTING WORDS: CRIS CYBORG

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One of the hardest hitting and most violent athletes in all of MMA, Cris “Cyborg” Justino returns to the cage on April 5th at Invicta FC 5.

A woman of few words, Cyborg faces off against Australia’s Fiona Muxlow for a chance to compete for the inaugural 145lb Invicta title against Marloes Coenen. Supremely confident, and itching to set foot in the cage, Cyborg begins her climb back to the pinnacle of MMA on April 5th.

Corey Smith: Not many people know that before you began your MMA career, you were a very accomplished handball player in . Do you think that that aided in your hand to eye coordination?

Cris “Cyborg” Justino: Yes, I trained very hard at accuracy and being able to smash the ball without even looking. This training helped me in fighting because I bring the same accuracy to my punches; only now my opponent’s head is a lot bigger than the handball so it’s even easier to smash my opponent’s face in.

CS: Do you ever sneak in a game when you are not in training camp?

CJ: No, all of energy is dedicated to training. I love to fight; it is more fun punching people than hitting a hand ball.

CJ: Every time I go into the cage it’s like handball, except my opponent is the handball.

CS: Many consider you the most feared striker in all of women’s MMA. Because of that, fans have had rare glimpses into an equally dangerous ground game. Do you ever have a desire to show that aspect of your abilities to the fans?

CJ: I train hard with Galvao, one of the best BJJ coaches in world. My BJJ is good and Tito has been working on my ground and pound with me. Watch April 5!

CS: What has been your experience with Invicta so far?

CJ: I feel welcomed and at home. Shannon and Janet are awesome!

CS: Have any other female fighters spoken to you before or after signing the contract in regards to fighting for Invicta?

CJ: Yes. I speak to many girls; Jessica Penne is also managed by Tito and George at Primetime360 so I speak to her a lot.

CS: Your opponent at Invicta FC 5, Fiona Muxlow, hails from Australia. What type of fight can the fans expect on April 6th? How familiar are you with Muxlow?

CJ: War!

CJ: I am not very familiar with her, but I have respect for her for taking the fight. She is either very brave or crazy because I am not holding back. I train for war!

CJ:  I did read that she said that she was going to punish me and bash my face in; awesome! I can’t wait now! I am excited! I will run right over her!

CS: Muxlow was a late replacement for Ediane Gomes, who was known as more of a stand up fighter, vs many of Muxlow’s victories coming via submission. With only a few weeks left in your camp, how did you adjust to the change of opponent?

CJ: Nothing; I train to fight anyone, and I’m ready for anyone always!

CS: In anticipation of getting back into the cage, what have you been working on over the past year?

CJ: My boxing with Jason Parillo.

CS: On the subject of injuries, how do you manage to maintain a full scale training camp, but at the same time guard against overtraining and injuries?

CJ: I stay in shape all year long.

CS: Do you anticipate any amount of ring rust after such a long layoff?

CJ: No, I train and spar everyday.

CS: Most fighters list the weight cut as the hardest part of MMA. Aside from that, what do you consider the hardest part?

CJ: Interviews.

CS: Do you have any superstitions or habits before a fight? What is your mindset backstage before a fight?

CJ: No, just war!

CS: What do you do to unwind after a long day of training camp?

CJ: Read the bible.

CS: When you aren’t in camp, what types of activities do you enjoy?

CJ:  I read the Bible and go to church.

CS: What are you most looking forward to on April 6?

CJ: Doing my best!

CS: Where can the fans get in touch with you?

CJ:  @criscyborg on Twitter.

CS: Lastly, MMA is equally a team sports as it is an individual sport. Who would you like to thank?

CJ: God first and foremost!

CJ: My manager Tito Ortiz and George Prajin.

CJ:  My team Jason Parillo, Galvao, Rob Emerson, Luciano Ferreira, Bubba Jenkins, Stanley Day, and Kenny Knoll.

CJ:  The Arena MMA in San Diego, and Team Punishment.

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FIGHTING WORDS: ZOILA FRAUSTO GURGEL

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Boasting one of the most impressive resumes in Women’s MMA at 12-2, Zoila Frausto Gurgel makes her way to the Invicta cage on April 5th at Invicta FC 5.

With world titles and and victories over the legendary Megumii Fuji, and current Invicta FC Atomweight champion Jessica Penne, few can match the career of Gurgel. Using controlled aggressiveness and with a family of fighters, including current Invicta veteran Stephanie Frausto, behind her, Gurgel will attempt to move straight to the top of the 125lb division on April 5th.

Corey Smith: You come from a family of Mixed Martial Artists. Your sister Stephanie Frausto fights, of course your husband Jorge Gurgel is a fighter. Even your father is a third degree black belt in Taekwondo. How much easier is your career because of that type of support group?

Zoila Frausto Gurgel: I wouldn’t say it’s easier because of the pressure I put on myself to achieve greatness for them all, because I fight for my family and to leave a legacy. But it is also nice to have so many people, so close to me, know the ins and outs of martial arts and competition.

ZFG: To be able to gain knowledge of how things were and how they are now & exactly what is needed to succeed, it definitely helps when a lot of family is involved in it.

CS: Are there any challenges that come with it?

ZFG: The challenges would definitely be the pressure I put on myself to do great things for not just myself, but for them as well.

CS: You have spoken about the fact that you were a very talented soccer player, but ultimately you were too aggressive for the sport. Do you think natural aggression is a necessity for MMA or is it possible to be more reactive?

ZFG: If you use it right, I believe it’s a definite plus. Controlled aggression is what I call it. I’m a prime example of the fact that it does work, but I’m also an example that if you get too involved in that part of it, you can definitely over look things and make mistakes in fights. My only two losses have come from just that, letting the anger take over with no control.

CS: You recently left Bellator to sign with Invicta. Is it safe to say a main reason for the departure was a desire to fight more often?

ZFG: Haha, to be safe, yes, but there were many other reasons why I wanted out and to see the way Invicta treated their athletes was a major plus for me. It’s exactly where I want to be. I’ll also be able to fight more often, and staying busy, for me, is a major plus.

CS: You were the 115lb world champion in Bellator, but your last two fights were at 125lbs, and your upcoming bout in Invicta is also at 125lbs. Do you feel like this is a more natural weight class for you?

ZFG: I fought at 115 only because I was given an opportunity to fight the best in the world at the time and I was fighting for a world title. I took the opportunity and I did what I set out to do, beat the best to be the best.

ZFG: 125lbs is definitely a lot easier to make, and is a more natural weight class for me. Making 115lbs; there’s advantages and disadvantages, I’m usually a lot bigger, stronger and faster than most women at that weight class. But, I was only able to fight at maybe 80% of my full ability because of the harsh weight cuts.

ZFG: Who knows, if there was ever a big fight that I couldn’t turn down, I just might go down to 115 for something big, but I’m happy where I am now at 125. I did what I needed to do at 115.

CS: Most fighter say the weight cut is the hardest part about fighting. Other than that, what do you consider the most difficult part of being a professional fighter?

ZFG: To make 115lb it was definitely the weight cut, it drove me crazy. It was never a very pleasant time in my life. Other than that, now cutting is pretty easy, it’s never fun, but it’s necessary.

ZFG: Like anything else, training isn’t always fun especially when you’re tired or worn out, but it’s all the name of the game to push through to be the best. All the many sacrifices that are made throughout the training camp are worth the victories at the end.

 

ZFG: I wouldn’t consider the weight cut being the hardest part anymore. The hardest part would be the time away from family and friends that’s usually sacrificed due to training. Resting and staying on a good training schedule can also be hard.

CS: After your loss to Jessica Eye, you posted a picture of yourself on Twitter in the same chokehold she used on you. The tag line was something to the effect of “stuff happens.” Do you think it’s important to keep a positive attitude and not take yourself too seriously?

ZFG: It was “sh*t happens” though. HAHA! Of course, you can either dwell on the past, even though it was so soon, or you can learn from your mistakes and move forward. Plus, I was in high spirits that day, because the day after the fight I wasn’t at all satisfied with what happen so I went out to Grappler’s Quest World Championship and won the Absolute Division, a belt and two medals.

ZFG: I’m a competitor and the only way I can move forward from a loss is continue to compete, and I did. The very next day with ZERO sleep, and I won.

CS: You once called your only other loss to Miesha Tate a “good thing.” Do you feel the same way about the loss to Eye? Do you learn more in defeat than you do in victory?

ZFG: Of course. You can only learn more from losses. But it’s the athlete’s choices to learn by mistake and continue to improve, so it doesn’t happen again.

CS: What do you think an organization like Invicta means for the sport of Women’s MMA?

ZFG: It’s amazing. It give us a much needed home. It gives us a chance to shine together. To let the world know that there is A LOT of talented and professional Mixed Martial Artist out there that are also women. Invicta treats their fighters the way professional athletes should be treated. It gives us more hope.

CS: When you are in the cage, what type of coaching and feedback do you look for from your corner? Does anyone’s voice stand out over the others?

ZFG: My corners are very important to me. For me it has to be someone that is definitely looking out for my best interest and whose voice I respect, hear, and will follow. So for this fight my corners will be the man that started my career on fire; Kru Jasper Tayaba and the man that pulled me through a World Championship, my husband Jorge Gurgel. Lastly, my sister Stephanie Frausto; because she’s always a major part of my training camp, mental and physical, she gives me strength as well.

CS: You have mentioned that you are horrible in your sister’s corner during a fight because you are too excited or nervous. Are your family members the same when they corner you?

ZFG: I believe Steph and Jorge both have said that they are never really that nervous for my fight because they know what I’m capable of and if used correctly, nobody can beat me.

CS: Finally, MMA is equally a team sport as it is an individual sport. Who would you like to thank?

ZFG: As always I’d like to thank my coaches for this camp: My husband Jorge Gurgel, my 1st coach ever Jasper Tayaba, wrestling coach Alan Fried.

ZFG: Boxing Coach T, and main training partner my sister Stephanie Frausto. My team back home in Ohio JGMMA and the guys here at Dethrone Base Camp in Fresno that have helped me out for this fight.

ZFG:  And as always my family, friends, and supporters. Especially my mom Zoyla Grace and Larry, brother Arthur Frausto and Victoria Le Callahan. My dad, Luis Frausto.

ZFG: Without my support system I would be nothing, so thank you.

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FIGHTING WORDS: LAUREN TAYLOR

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Recent Texas transplant Lauren Taylor, will make her Invicta debut April 5th, at Invicta FC 5, stepping in for an injured Amanda Nunes, against Kaitlin Young.

Coming off a dominant win less than a month ago, Taylor had no hesitation in accepting the fight on less than three weeks notice. Confident and fit, Taylor accepted the honor of fighting Women’s MMA pioneer Kaitlin Young in order to prove that she belongs among the best at 135lbs.

Corey Smith: How did you first enter into the world of mixed martial arts? How long had you been formally training before your first fight?

Lauren Taylor: I took my son to a Jiu Jitsu class in late 2009, and I took the class with him to encourage him. I fell in love with it and started going all the time. I began training MMA about 3 months later, and took my first pro fight 3 months after that. I did not have any amateur fights.

CS: What aspects of mixed martial arts do you enjoy training the most? What aspects take more mental strength to train?

LT: I enjoy different aspects on different days, usually I enjoy whatever I am doing well that day, haha. I’m kidding… sort of. I think the thing that consistently takes the most for me to get okay with mentally is dieting while in a fight camp. I like to eat!

CS: You trained at a Gracie Barra affiliate in your native Alaska, and now train at a Gracie Barra affiliate in Houston, TX. The Gracie name is more than familiar to mixed martial arts fan. Where does the Barra come from?

LT: It’s my understanding that the first Gracie Jiu Jitsu academy operated by Carlos Gracie Jr., was opened in a town called Barra de Tujica. So it was called Gracie Barra. Why we continue to call them ‘Gracie Barra’, and not Gracie Katy or Gracie Anchorage or whatever, I suppose you’d have to ask Master Carlos Gracie Jr.

CS: You are coming off a dominant win on March 1st, yet it was a win in which you were not completely satisfied with your performance. What did you see in your performance that left you feeling like you could have competed better?

LT: I felt like it took me a minute to get back in the groove of being in the cage. Actually it took about two minutes, and then I was back in the swing of things, so to speak. I hope that doesn’t happen again.

LT: It had been a while since I fought last, and the feeling of dancing with someone who is trying to hurt you took a second to readjust to. I also did a few things in that fight that can certainly be capitalized on by a smart opponent, which Kaitlin is.

LT: I know everyone has at least one bad habit, but I don’t like having any, and I may even have several, so the sooner I fix those the better off I will be.

CS: On April 5th, it will be a little more than a month since your last bout. Were there any concerns about fighting again so quickly?

LT: Only that we did not have time to train specifically for Kaitlin like my coaches and I would have preferred. But we still had a good solid two and a half weeks to drill some things that I would like to do, and they are not things that I have never seen before, so it’s not a situation I am panicking about.

LT:  I mean, you can’t have it all and there are always things I would have ‘preferred’ go differently in a fight camp. Other than that, it’s really kind of nice. I enjoy being the underdog, I have less time to worry. I am still in good shape and injury free. I think the major concern taking last minute fights is whether your conditioning is on point, and I believe mine will be.

CS: This will mark your debut with Invicta FC, how has your experience been like so far with the company?

LT: It’s been incredible. I am excited to fight for them. I actually signed a multi fight contract with them way back in October or so, so this isn’t the first time I have heard from them.

LT: It seems like a lot of promotions care very little for their fighters, especially the female ones, because they are more concerned about having fights and putting on a show and building up certain fighters, than they are about the well-being of the fighters themselves. Invicta has not been like that. They are dedicated to the athletes.

CS: You are stepping in for an injured Amanda Nunes to face Women’s MMA pioneer, Kaitlin Young at Invicta FC 5. How do you expect the fight to go?

LT: I think it’s going to be a great fight. Kaitlin obviously has more experience. She was fighting MMA before I even knew what MMA was, so it’s really an honor to compete with her. I believe I have the ability to beat her, although I don’t believe it will be easy.

LT:  I don’t know if I will beat her, necessarily, but I certainly can. She clearly also has the ability to beat me, and will also be looking for a finish, so I think it will be a fantastic fight. She’s very tough. In my mind, it’s going to be a war.

CS: On the subject of injuries, how do you maintain a full force training schedule but also guard against overtraining and injuries?

LT: That’s a great question, haha. When someone figures it out, please tell me! For me, regarding overtraining, I honestly try not to think too much in fight camp- I let my coaches do that.

LT: They are the brains and I’m the brawn, and up to this point, it’s worked out well. So we sit down and make a schedule and I follow it, no matter how I feel. They do check in with me frequently to see how I am feeling and we can always adjust if needed, but for the most part I just train my ass off.

LT: They can tell when I am pushed past my limit and sometimes they push me even further and sometimes they let me rest. I may or may not keep a Z pack on hand to treat passing colds that come my way.

LT: As far as injuries, I have been blessed not to have had many. That may just be dumb luck, but I’ll take it. I did hurt my foot once right before a fight, but it was a freak accident and not from overtraining.

CS: After a long day of training camp, what helps you to unwind and recharge?

LT: When I’m in camp, away from home, it’s talking to my boyfriend. He’s been a huge source of inspiration to me. I call him all the time to pick his brain, get encouragement, vent, or just listen to someone besides my own voice in my own head.

LT: He believes in me and loves me no matter if I win or lose, and it’s so important for me to have that. When I’m not in camp, and I’m with him, it’s a hug, a movie, and a good meal. Like I said, I like to eat.

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

LT: I love fight night! I get very giddy and excited. Of course I get nervous, but it’s the kind of nervous you feel when you’re on a roller coaster and you’re just going up that first hill, and you can feel the cars going over the edge and you’re about to plummet into a wild ride, and there’s nothing you can do about it. That’s how fight night feels, haha!

LT:  I have been doing away with superstitions. I used to have several, but one by one, they were kind of taken away from me with each fight, and I still won dominantly; So I had to face the fact that superstitions are something that make me feel better mentally, not a real thing, and that I don’t really need them. Things will go just fine even if I don’t wear my lucky underwear or whatever.

CS: Inside the cage, how do you prefer to be coached? Whose voice stands out above the others among your corners?

LT: My coach Pat Applegate stands out to me the most, although I do hear my other corners. I do hear different stuff sometimes that kind of amuses me in each fight. Sometimes I hear the audience, or my opponent’s corner telling them what to do, and it always makes me think, ‘Huh. That’s interesting.’

CS: How much MMA do you watch purely for enjoyment? Are there any fighters in particular that you are a fan of?

LT: I watch MMA all the time. I mean, ALL. THE. TIME. I love it. One of my all-time favorites is Forrest Griffin. I also like Anderson Silva (who doesn’t?) because I think that dude may actually be from another planet, that’s how good he is.

LT:  And Frankie Edgar. Actually now that I am thinking about it, I am a fan of too many fighters to really list here. So I will say, I’m a fan of Sarah Kaufman. And Chael Sonnen. And Julie Kedzie. And Joe Murphy. And Jose Aldo. And…

CS: When you aren’t training or fighting, what types of activities do you participate in solely for fun?

LT: I love to read, and go to the beach (only since moving to Florida, though. The beaches in my home state are awful). I like to cook and bake. I am a people person and I like being around good friends.

LT:  It drives me crazy to be alone, I can’t do that for too long. I also like to spend money, if I wasn’t so broke all the time, I could see myself turning into a shop-aholic. The warning signs are all there.

CS: Lastly, MMA is as much a team sport as it is an individual one. Who would you like to thank?

LT: Oooh I have a lot. My team at GB Katy first and foremost. The athletes and coaches there are amazing and I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else.

LT:  My Fight Shop here in Houston for providing me with great gear. Airrosti rehab centers for keeping me healthy. Centurion BJJ in Panama City, and all my team mates there. Coach Rey at NLA Katy for making me a beast and Paul Moran as well, those guys know their stuff and keep me in great shape.

LT: FOR SURE I want to thank each and every person who donated to Pimp My Fight, your donations have made possible an incredible training camp, and will carry me on into the next one as well. Joe, Aurora and Jen for being so damn awesome, and my mom. I love you mom!

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FIGHTING WORDS: CASSIE RODISH

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“Sassy” Cassie Rodish returns to the Invicta cage for the third time on April 5th against England’s Simona Soukupovaon at Invicta FC 5.

Looking to move to 3-0 under the Invicta banner, and 5-3 overall, Rodish is also looking to put her name in the conversation of contenders at 105lbs. Quiet outside the cage, but angry within it, Rodish wants to continue her current four fight win streak on April 5th.

Corey Smith: You jumped into MMA after taking a kickboxing camp, switching over to Muay Thai and getting addicted to the sport. What was the extent of your knowledge of the sport at that time?

Cassie Roddish: I had no clue what MMA was. I had never seen a fight on T.V. or live.  As a child my father was big into Karate. When I was little, he owned a gym and did private lessons. At the time I was too little to be involved, but I remember growing up listening to stories and looking at pictures.  So I guess it’s in my DNA.

CS: What discipline of MMA is your favorite to train? And what is your least favorite?

CR: Hard question!! I truly love all combative sports. My training philosophy has always been to train your weaknesses.  In my last fight my opponent had a good Judo Hip toss. The last few months I’ve been working with a couple Judo Black belts to work on my defense as well as adding some throws and trip to my game.

CS: You train primarily out of Des Moines Jui Jitsu in Iowa. What is a typical day of training like?

CR: I do a really good job of dividing up my training. I get a couple sessions of Pads, jits, wrestling, judo and sparing in every week. I feel like I’m cheating myself if I only train one discipline at a time. Doing it this way also keeps up my excitement for the sport. I don’t ever want to get bored with my training.

CS: You turned pro in 2010, how long had you been training at that point?

CR: Not very long at all, maybe 6 months. It was a horrible idea and I wish someone would have told me to wait.  At the time I never saw myself really going further in the sport. Fighting was fun and I would have done anything to get in the cage.

CS: A common expression is that you learn more from your defeats, than you do from your victories. After losing the first three fights of your career, you have since won four in a row. What did you learn in those first three fights that have helped you in the past four?

CR: Any time you get into the cage you are going to learn about where your strengths and weaknesses are. The biggest thing I learned was how BIG my heart was. I hated to lose, that feeling ate me up. I wanted to train harder and be the best I could be. Everyone gets knocked down, it is how you pick yourself up that matters.

CS: In the past you have fought as high as 135lbs, but now you fight at 105lbs. Do you feel like this is your natural weight class? What are your thoughts on the talent level like at 105lbs?

CR: Now that I’ve had the opportunity to fight at 105, I can’t believe that I ever fought at a different weight class. That goes back to that old mentality of I will do anything to fight. Luckily we have great organizations like InvictaFC to give us these opportunities. The 105 division is stacked. The level of skill in this division is sick and there are new girls emerging all the time.

CS: What types of superstitions do you have before on fight day? Do you keep the same routine leading up to the fight?

CR:  I don’t have any crazy superstitions other then I will never walk out to a song I used for a fight I lost. I won’t even listen to the song on the radio. One time I was sparring light and a song came on that I lost to, and I bloodied my partner’s nose. I just got so angry that I couldn’t help but go hard.

CS: What type of feedback and coaching do you prefer during a fight? Whose voice do you look to the most?

CR: I’m very hard headed so I need a coach to be the same. It’s not very lady like but I don’t mind if my coach uses “sailor language” before we hit the cage.  It’s a fight and angry seems to be contagious. In the cage I love it when my coaches are vocal about the things I am doing right. If I land a hard kick I want to hear “AHH!!” It pumps me up and mentally chips away at the opponent.

CS: You have fought on two past Invicta events, and are scheduled to face England’s Simona Soukupovaon on April 5th at Invicta FC 5. How has your experience been with Invicta so far? What separates Invicta from other organizations that you have fought for in the past?

CR: I love Invicta and everything it stands for. It gives many, many women the chance to showcase their talents. Before Invicta, I was begging for fights. I was lucky if I fought twice a year. Invicta gave me the chance to turn fighting into a CAREER, not a hobby. The people that are involved with Invicta really care about the fighters. I could walk up to Shannon or Janet and give them a big hug and kiss on the cheek and that would not be abnormal.  They are building a family of warriors!!!  You will never find a promotion that treats their fighters as well.

CS: With an organization like Invicta holding regular all female events, and the UFC adding a women’s division, what are your thoughts on the state of women’s MMA?

CR: I’m very, very excited. I think it’s awesome for these women to be getting a little recognition.  Once people get to see more female fights, I truly believe the men will have to step it up to keep their spots on the cards.  The one concern I have is shows picking up a few fighters under contract and not sharing in the talent pool. That will only hurt WMMA.

CS: When you aren’t training, what types of activities do you enjoy doing? What helps you unwind after a long day of training camp?

CR: I like the outdoors.  I love sitting by a bonfire and watching my kiddos catch fireflies. Anything the involves chilling with my family is my kind of heaven

CS: Fighting is equally a team sport as it is a individual sport. Who would you like to thank?

CR: I have an amazing team at Des Moines Jui Jitsu. Doug Ownes and Donovan Carboney are my two head trainers. They are amazing and inspire me to be my best. Angela Barr is my go to girl for training. She kicks the tar out of me all week. I have a wonderful group of trainers at Crossfit515, that keep me strong, including Michele Clark. I have the opportunity to travel and train this camp so big shout out to Summer Arthenton, Jessica Philippus, Barb Honchak, Sarah Maloy and her team.  I’m so blessed to know such amazing women in this sport.

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FIGHTING WORDS: JODIE ESQUIBEL

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Professional boxer and firefighter, Jodie Esquibel returns to the Invicta cage on April 5th, against Australian prospect Alex Chambers at Invicta FC 5.

Fighting out of the world renowned Jackson’s MMA in New Mexico, Esquibel looks to continue her unbeaten streak of 3-0. Training since the age of fourteen, Esquibel draws on the talent of her teammates to help her evolve as a fighter in the 105lb division.

Corey Smith: You have quite an extensive background in boxing. How did you first get involved in boxing? What made you decide to switch over to MMA?

Jodie Esquibel: When I first started martial arts in general, it was with Mr. Winkeljohn when I was 14. Initially I just wanted to work out; I didn’t have the intention of fighting. Nine months in, I had my first amateur kickboxing fight, and I completely fell in love.

JE: From then on it was mostly kickboxing, I fought amateur for a little while and that got harder. When I went pro, it was hard to find fights, so that was when I got pushed into boxing. I went with boxing as far as I could, and at that time Jackson’s and Winkeljohn’s were two separate gyms. So we would still cross train as a team, but we weren’t in the same building.

JE: When we merged into one gym, I was still just boxing and kickboxing. Everybody kept asking “When are you coming to wrestling class? When are you coming to Jiu Jitsu?”

JE:  I was always weary of it, but now that I look back I wish I would have dove right in. It took me a little while, but I realized I was training at the best school in the world. Greg Jackson and Mike Winkeljohn are in one gym, why wouldn’t I take advantage of this?  So I started going to wrestling class, and Jiu Jitsu, and it evolved from there.

CS: With three professional MMA bouts under your belt, other than obvious rules differences, what would you say is the biggest difference between boxing and MMA?

JE: The biggest difference between a boxing and a MMA camp, are the amount of different practices there are. In boxing you are going to boxing class. You can spar, hit the mits, hit the bag, and there are a lot touches, it’s not simple by any means.

JE: With MMA camp you are going to wrestling class, you’re going to Jiu Jitsu, boxing, and conditioning. With the differences in the camps, I felt like I had to adjust my training. The old school road work of running seven miles for stamina for fighting twelve rounds doesn’t apply to MMA. So making the changes between the camps was a little bit different, but also a fun experience.

CS: What would you say has been the biggest lesson you have learned thus far from your fights that you could not get from purely training?

JE: It’s funny, the biggest thing is difference the between the ring and the cage. Before a fight starts, I can lean over and talk to Mr. Winkeljohn or Greg Jackson and they are very close. With the cage you get in there, and when the door closes they are gone and it’s just you. It was just something small that I adjusted to. Now that I have been in there a couple times it’s easier.

CS: You are also a licensed paramedic and firefighter. Does it ever occur to you that you are trained on one hand to hurt people and on the other to help them?

JE: I’m hoping that will balance out my karma. One day you are hurting people, and the next day you are patching people up. I hope it keeps me balanced!

CS: You train out of Jackson’s MMA in New Mexico, and you stated it was the first gym that you visited. What made you realize without looking at other gyms for training that Jacksons was the best fit for you?

JE: I feel like I was incredibly lucky and blessed. I was amazed that the path took me to this one gym. I went in, and they said before you start class you have to have a couple introductory lessons. I did that with one of the assistant coaches, and then I had a private session with Mr. Winkeljohn. With the energy and knowledge that he has, I knew that there was nowhere else in the world that I was supposed to be. At fourteen! I would never think about going anywhere else!

CS: With such a large team, both of coaches and current fighters, who has been one of your most valuable training partners?

JE: What’s cool is that with so much talent our practices are just amazing. Any kind of MMA or boxing fan could walk in any day and just be blown out of the water. We have a heavyweight class and a lightweight class because we have such a big team. It depends right now, but it is usually around 150 or so go to the heavyweight class. Some of it depends on size.

JE: So the lightweight guys, us little guys stick together, and there are a lot of people that help me. Holly Holm is one of the best pound for pound boxers in the world, and I grew up training with her for over fifteen years. Michelle (Waterson) is fighting for the title in the main event at Invicta 5. Heather Clark trains with me, and she is fighting for Bellator soon. Norma Centers is a great up and coming wrestler, and her wrestling is unbelievable. Emily Kagan fought for Invicta. Tara LaRosa has been fighting forever, and she is bringing our Jiu Jitsu game up. Julie Kedzie is one of the best in women’s MMA and she is our leader.

JE: Not to mention the little guys like John Dodson, he’ll hit me sixty times before I even blink. Nick Urso, is another up and comer who will be in the UFC in no time. We have such a small core group of us smaller guys, you can’t help but be on your “A” game.

CS: What has the support been like from the male members of your team for your Invicta FC bouts?

JE: Our guys here are unbelievably supportive. We’re in the gym working hard, and they see that. We’re not just at the gym sitting around and hanging out. We’re at wrestling class, we’re at Jiu Jitsu class, we’re at MMA class right beside them. They are super supportive, and are just as excited as we are. It’s important to have that positive energy going into the gym.

CS: You fought last at Invicta FC 4, and are scheduled to fight again at Invicta FC 5 on April 5th against Australian Alex Chambers. How has your experience been like so far with the company?

JE: I have been absolutely blown away at how amazing the organization is. How everything is planned and organized. It’s the easiest fights that I have ever been involved with for the fighters, everything is set up, there are no questions. It’s a very professional and high level organization. It blows me away to be part of it.

CS: Speaking of Chambers, she will be coming from out of the country for the fight. Do you think that is of any advantage to someone who is a native of the country’s fight venue?

JE: People talk about travelling and it affecting athletes, but I’ve fought all over the world too. I’ve travelled to Korea, and I didn’t feel too bad. I’m going to expect that she is going to be at 100 percent, and train for the best fighter there is. I wouldn’t put much thought into the travel.

CS: How familiar are you with Chambers? What are you expecting out of the fight with her?

JE: I know as much as everyone else knows. The fights that are available on YouTube, and she has good Jiu Jitsu and decent wrestling. So that leaves me preparing for the best fighter in every area. There you go that’s MMA.

CS: Towards the end of a long training camp, who or what keeps you motivated?

JE: I love the process of being in camp, I love the journey, I love the experience. Towards the end of camp, is where you feel all your hard work is paying off. I know camp can sometimes feel long, but it’s such a journey. I know it sounds cheesy, but I really enjoy what I am doing. I’m really happy to be on the journey, to be on the path. I’m blessed to be able to train and to compete.

CS: Outside of preparing for your fight, how much MMA do you watch for pure enjoyment? Anyone in particular that you enjoy watching?

JE: We have so many teammates that it seems like someone is fighting every weekend no matter what. If it’s not for a teammate, I kinda try not to. You train all day for MMA, you’re thinking about the fights, you have a fight coming up, you are thinking about weight cuts, and now you are gonna go home and watch the fights? Everyone is going to a bar somewhere to watch the fight, and sometimes I just hang out at home.

JE: Andrei Arlovski is one that I will watch no matter what is going on, even if I am fighting that night. Georges St. Pierre is super exciting and very technical, so he is amazing to watch. Both teammates.

CS: Aside from martial arts, what types of activities do you enjoy doing? What helps you unwind after a long day of training camp?

JE: It will sound a little crazy, but working as a paramedic and a firefighter brings you back down to Earth. You’re running on these 911 calls, and you are upset you got tapped twice in practice, but then there is this catastrophic car accident you work. So you realize your day wasn’t so bad. It’s not fun, but it keeps you grounded.

JE: At Jackson’s we opened a yoga studio, so I went and got certified to teach Yoga. So teaching Yoga also helps me unwind and relax. Teaching or taking a class helps.

CS: Lastly, MMA is as much a team sport is it is an individual one. Who would you like to thank?

JE: First Mike Winkeljohn; he’s been with me since the very beginning. Greg Jackson, who I am so lucky train with. Brandon Gibson is one of my other standup coaches, who has opened my eyes to some new stuff. I also train at the Gracie Barra headquarters here in New Mexico, which has the best Gracie guys in the world. My strength and conditioning coach, Steve at Turning Point.

JE: My teammates. It would be impossible to list them all. Everyone is always pushing each other to the next level, so we evolve as fighters. If it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t be here.

JE: My family that always puts up with me when I’m training and moody. All the people I’ve worked with in the fire department that has always supported me.

JE: A special thanks to Julia Kedzie, she has helped me out a lot. I paid her off in kittens, which was why I was on the first Invicta card.

JE: Lastly, a big thanks to Keith Jardine. He helps me with everything, and I want him to keep cooking dinner for me!

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FIGHTING WORDS: ROSE NAMAJUNAS

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Exciting MMA prospect Rose Namajunas, steps back into the Invicta cage after a late third round submission victory at Invicta FC 4.

The victory at Invicta FC 4 also marked Namajunas’ first professional bout, and she looks to improve her record to 2-0 against fellow prospect Kathina Catron at Invicta FC 5 on April 5th.  A Renaissance woman at her core, Rose will try to ignite the crowd once again when the cage door closes April 5th.

Corey Smith: With a wide range of interests from an early age, including music and athletics, what led you to choose mixed martial arts as your primary occupation?

Rose Namajunas: I had a lot of different interests growing up, and for some reason the main theme that always stuck out was: sports. The majority of my family members were involved in sports, so it runs in the genes. I did modeling and music on the side, but for some reason anything athletic intrigued me the most and stuck with me.

RN: Athletics was also the first thing I started, and the first martial art I was exposed to was Tae Kwon Do. From there it slowly progressed, but I never knew that I would do this as a profession. I stuck with it, one thing led to another, and here I am at Invicta on my second fight.

CS: Do you think that it is important to try a wide variety of hobbies and activities?

RN: Yeah I think so. The main theme in MMA is being well-rounded, the well rounded fighter usually does well. And in life that can be applied to anything. Doing music, and fighting at the same time, helps me find a lot parallels in them. I can explain a lot of things to Pat (Barry). He doesn’t understand a lot about music, but I can find analogies with fighting that make sense to him.

RN: It sounds crazy, but everything is connected. I feel like the more things that you do and are good at, the more enlightened you are. It goes back to the whole Renaissance period, Da Vinci was a legend for a reason. He was good at all types of things, because if you can be good at many different things you’re enlightened, and you can see how we are all connected aside from all our differences.

CS: You have spoken about how, as far back as you could remember, you were always focused on everything you did. Where do you think that mental attitude came from?

RN: I don’t know, honestly I think it was just something I was born with. I don’t really know where it came from. It was just something I knew as a child. There were a few times I was a bad child behind closed doors, but I never really talked back to her or had temper tantrums. She just explained it to me, and ever since Kindergarten it just clicked for me.

RN:  My teacher would talk about how I got there early, completed my work, and then I didn’t move until class was over. I don’t know if it had to do with focus, or if it has to do with proper diet. When they are growing up I think a lot of kids are being fed foods that have no nutritional value. It’s no wonder why they are bouncing off the walls and getting diagnosed with ADD. There is so much sugar and no nutrients.

RN:  So it’s a combination of my personality, never having a problem with authority, but also the surroundings that I grew up with. I grew up with a non-American mother, and I think children in other countries tend to be a little more disciplined and less rebellious.

CS: With a fellow mixed martial artist for a partner, heavyweight Pat Barry, what are the advantages of having a fellow fighter as a boyfriend?

RN: We speak the same language. Even the things that we don’t view the same way, we can use certain things that we have common ground on. His knowledge of fighting, and my knowledge of fighting help me explain things about myself like music that he doesn’t particularly understand. We know each other’s facial expressions, and can speak without talking. We might look at each other in front of people, and they might not know we are having a conversation. Communication is key to a relationship and having a common language helps.

CS: In your pro debut at Invicta FC 4, you won via submission late in the third round. How satisfying was that win for you?

RN: It was extremely satisfying. You’re tired and just want to sit down after going through three rounds of action like that. It’s exhausting. So it’s extremely satisfying because I wanted to get the finish. One of the gratifying moments of that fight was that it was a finish, and it was my first submission win, so that was cool.

RN:  My opponent was known for being well rounded on the ground, so that was a win in itself. She came from Greg Jackson’s camp, and was more experienced than I am, so that was a win right there. All those things made the win perfect. To go in there after two rounds of ups and downs and mental barriers that I had to break through, and pull off the win like that was definitely amazing.

CS: You spoke about how in your first pro fight, the size of the cage was a little unfamiliar to you. Along with that, what else did you learn from that first fight that you can’t learn in training?

RN: Being against the cage, and not knowing when I should have angled off at the right time was different. The amount of steps that I could back up until I get to the cage without having to clinch up with my opponent in the middle of the ring. Along with that, I have a habit in training, if my opponent is not really doing any damage to me, against the cage I tend to wait for my opponent to make a move and then I react.

RN: I don’t waste my time trying to muscle her off or get out of a situation, if it isn’t really going anywhere for either of us. In the fight I could have muscled her off, but that’s not how I train. We have “Wall Wednesday” at the gym where we start on the wall, so we practice it a lot.

RN: So should you prepare for the worst, and therefore make the worst happen? Or should I not worry about the worst happening and just implement my game plan? That’s something you always struggle with, because you want to be prepared but you don’t want to self-sabotage.

CS: You split your training camp between your hometown gym, The Academy in Minnesota, and Grudge Training Center in Colorado. How did that come about? What areas do you focus on at Grudge?

RN: Pat trained at Grudge for his last fight against Shane Del Rosario, and he said great things about that camp. Trevor (Wittman) and Pat know each other from coaching The Ultimate Fighter together. So ever since Pat went out there, he wanted to bring me out there. Before my last fight was the first time I was at Grudge, and I loved it, it was great and beneficial. So for this fight, I just got out here to Grudge and had my first workout with Trevor tonight. I love it a lot.

RN: In Minnesota with Greg (Nelson), we work on everything, but we work mainly on areas I need to improve, wrestling and Jiu Jitsu. I enjoy striking more, but Greg knows much more about the Jiu Jitsu game.

RN: With Trevor, he’s a boxing fanatic. He teaches me the overall striking game not just boxing, but kicks and everything. I’ll be working with Cat Zingano this week. The high altitude is also a benefit for my endurance.

RN: In Minnesota, again it’s a lot of ground work, but also my strength and conditioning with Matt Miller. I focus on getting in the best shape possible, with power lifting and horse power.

CS: With your pro debut, and your next bout on April 5th at Invicta FC 5, how has your experience been so far with the company?

RN: Invicta has been tremendous. They treat us all like queens. Pat was actually a little jealous of the treatment they were giving me, and he is a heavyweight in the UFC. They know the fight game really well, they aren’t rookies.

RN: They aren’t running an organization for the first time, they are very professional about everything and Invicta takes care of their athletes. Invicta doesn’t ever leave you hanging, they are super organized. I am very appreciative of everything, I love it.

CS: Your opponent on April 5th, Kathina Catron, has three professional bouts under her belt. How familiar are you with her? What are you expecting out of the bout?

RN: I am coming in to impose my will and throw thunder at her. She is going to have to be able to handle it, or she is going down. I love striking, so that’s what I am looking to come in and do. Throw a flurry of punches and kicks and be ready for anything else.

RN: I know that she is similar to my last opponent Emily, though she is not a lefty. She does like to clinch up more, and is coming in well rounded. I feel like being well rounded is good, but you tend to go wherever the fight goes and that’s not my plan. My plan is to impose my will, and not just let whatever happens happen.

CS: Inside the cage, whose voice are you looking to the most? What type of advice to prefer to receive during the fight?

RN: Well Pat is phenomenal. I personally think that he is the best corner man ever. If you want someone in your corner with great advice, he knows exactly what to say. I don’t know if it’s because of the relationship we have or if he is just that good at it.

RN: It’s not necessarily that I am looking for something or that I look to a certain person, because in the fight you are on auto-pilot. It almost seems like a dream, you can’t really recall everything that happens. Because you are in such a high adrenaline state or survival mode, that whatever you pick up you don’t really have much control over it.

RN: Chico Camas was in my corner last time, and he was great. We trained together back in Milwaukee, and is one of the people I connected with. He was telling me some great things as well.

RN:  Kaitlin (Young) was in my corner, along with Greg Nelson. Greg doesn’t have to yell or forcefully say anything, his words travel straight into my ears. Like the cartoons where a scent travels across the screen and into a cartoon characters nose, that’s how his words reach me.

RN: It’s hard to explain what is the right thing to say, or the right words that click. It’s a letting go experience, and I just listen to each of my coaches.

CS: When you aren’t terrorizing Pat Barry and filming it for YouTube, what kinds of activities do you enjoy? What helps you to mentally unwind after a hard day of training camp?

RN: Recently we started doing the sensory deprivation floats, and that is really fun to do. Other than the salt water burning your skin from all the cuts and scratches of MMA practice, it’s a great way to refuel, and to get to a Zen state of mind. It’s a really easy way to meditate for me.

RN: I love listening to any music, and we love watching movies, Pat and I. Mainly we are very laid back kind of people, but I know we are perceived as always making these goofy videos, which is fun. But we also have a flip side to it, we love just being together, not really going out that much.

RN: I love being outside, and animals are another passion of mine. I’ve always loved any animals, and I can’t wait to get a puppy. Anytime I can be around animals or nature in general. I love art, and drawing, but during camp it’s hard to do those things when I am so drained. I like non energy taxing things like taking a walk, or sitting and talking with Pat.

CS: Lastly, MMA is as much a team sport as it is an individual one. Who would you like to thank?

RN: I want to thank Pat Barry for being my number one hype man, and my soul mate. I want to thank Trevor Wittman, and his wife Christine. My awesome coaches Greg Nelson and Matt Miller. Brad Butler at SuckerPunch Entertainment.

RN: My sponsors Fear The Fighter, PolyCase Ammo, and Down2Scrap.

RN: I want to also thank my mom and brother, and all my family in Lithuania. And lastly, Invicta for giving me this opportunity!

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FIGHTING WORDS: ALEX CHAMBERS

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An international student of all martial arts, Australian Alex Chambers will make her Invicta FC debut April 5th against undefeated fellow Strawweight Jodie Esquibel at Invicta FC 5.

Starting to study karate as a child, martial arts is a lifestyle for Chambers, and she has grown into a well rounded fighter beginning to find her place in the world of MMA. Part of a three fighter Australian invasion at Invicta along with Bec Hyatt and Fiona Muxlow, Chambers will be looking to make a successful US debut on April 5th.

Corey Smith: I understand there is some family history in martial arts. Is that what first drew you martial arts? What keeps your competing in the sport now?

Alex Chambers: Yeah, my uncle always brings up training with Chuck Norris (briefly) and has kinda become a family joke. When I was a child he (my uncle) got me and my cousins into karate because he thought it was important to learn self defense and also the underlying values inherent in traditional/classical martial arts (discipline, self-confidence, etiquette, etc.).

AC:  While as a kid I was really happy on my karate planet doing that, MMA has become a whole universe for me to explore. That’s what has kept my interest. Having said that I do still think it’s important not to forget where you came from, otherwise you get lost.

CS: You previously stated that MMA is a lifestyle for you, not a trend. What did you mean by that?

AC: Just the same as when I did Karate as a child, it went through a phase of hype where people did it just to do it, because everyone else was doing it. While its great MMA is taking off and becoming really popular it has also led to people doing it for the wrong reasons.

CS: It’s common for fighters to have a home gym, but also to take a few weeks to train somewhere else. Who or where was someplace or someone that you learned much more than you were expecting to?

AC: While I have learnt many good things traveling, the biggest thing I get out of it is being able to get a bit of perspective (of where my level is at) and refreshes my interest in training again (a change in environment, commitments, training partners etc). It also makes me appreciate how good my gym is and how good my coaches are.

CS: You have trained many times in Japan, with among others Megumi Fujii, what advantage is there to training in Japan?

AC: It’s a different way of training over there and its not often I get to train with girls of a similar weight (or any weight for that matter), and for the girls to be some of the best fighters in the world, makes the experience even more unique.

AC: Obviously training with Megumi Fujii at her gym AACC in Tokyo Japan has been the highlight of my experience training elsewhere at another gym. I didn’t realize I would have such direct training with one of the best MMA fighters in the world. I really wasn’t expecting that. She also has some of the top ranked female fighters in the world training in her team, which makes the experience even more invaluable.

AC: I remember the first time I visited AACC sitting on the side watching Megumi Fujii warming up, I couldn’t believe my eyes, I had seen her on video, on the internet, and to see her training in person was so surreal. To actually be able to train with her was a dream come true.

CS: What are the major differences between fighting in Japan and fighting in Australia?

AC: In terms of the rules of the actual fights, the ground and pound rules vary (with special rules required for ground and pound in Japan for female MMA promotion Jewels, and usually only allowed for championship matches).

AC: In terms of the overall experience, because martial arts is a big part of Japanese history and culture the crowds and the whole is experience is so different and whilst they still like a big KO, they also appreciate the complexities of the different disciplines of martial arts in MMA.

AC: Which we are now seeing the crowds appreciate and understand more and more outside of Japan too. It was a real honor to get the opportunity to fight on a card in Japan, and I would definitely like to again one day.

CS: You are among several fighters for Invicta that hail from Australia, Bec Hyatt and Fiona Muxlow being the others. How small is the MMA community in Australia? Or is it similar to the US, with fight camps all over the country?

AC: Aussie invasion at Invicta FC 5, pretty cool huh! With the popularity of MMA growing, there seems to be a lot of MMA gyms popping up all over the country. Recently a UFC gym opened up in Sydney which seems to be developing even more interest.

AC: However, I don’t think it is as developed here as the USA just yet. Don’t get me wrong, we still have a few quality MMA camps over here, just not as many.

CS: On the subject of the US, you are very familiar with the United States having visited countless times, but have never fought here. Is there anything in particular that you are looking forward to when you make your stateside debut on April 5th?

AC: Getting my hand raised is number 1. I’m really looking forward to meeting and getting to know some of the other fighters. I might have to make a stop on the West Coast, sad to say I need a fix of In and Out Burger. I’m also going to see New York City for a few days whilst I’m there. All my other visits have been on the West Coast so I’m really excited to go there.

CS: Leading up to your most recent fight, you were ill beforehand. How much did that affect you considering you were still able to secure a win? Do you think your opponent was aware of your illness?

AC: You never fight at 100 percent, and can’t expect to. There can always be something bothering you if you let it. As soon as the cage door closes and you get that adrenalin rush, you soon overcome/forget any illness or injury.

CS: This will be your first fight for Invicta FC. How has your experience been so far with the company?

AC: It’s been great. They are very organized and professional and from watching all their previous fight cards Invicta looks like an awesome promotion. I’m so happy to have the opportunity to fight for them, so I will be giving it my all come fight time.

CS: Your opponent on April 5th, Jodie Esquibel, has less MMA bouts on her record than you, but brings a large amount of boxing experience with her. What are you expecting out of the bout?

AC: She is undefeated in MMA and you never really know the full depth of experience fighters may have outside of MMA. I’m definitely not underestimating the challenge.

CS: When you are in the cage, what do you expect from your corners? Do you allow all your corners to coach, or do you have a main voice that you look to?

AC: I do have a main coach, Liam Resnekov, so he is the one I listen to when I am fighting.

CS: Outside of preparation for your fights, how much MMA do you watch purely for enjoyment?

AC: I try not to miss any big promotions either in the USA or in Japan. Luckily with the internet now, being able to get PPV on it I am able to see most events live, which we didn’t used to be able to do here in Australia. We would have to go to a local bar to watch it via satellite. Of course I also like to get to any local promotions that are being held and support Australian MMA.

CS: When you aren’t in the gym or the cage, what types of activities do you enjoy? How do you mentally unwind after a long day of camp?

AC: Growing up on the beach I find it a really relaxing place to go to unwind, even if it is just a walk or sitting on the sand watching the waves and surfers. I also play a bit of Black Ops (Call of Duty) occasionally, but I don’t know if I consider that unwinding!

CS: Lastly, MMA is as much an individual sport, as it is a team sport. Who would you like to thank?

AC: Definitely couldn’t have the opportunities I have today without such a great team of coaches, training partners and friends behind me.  My head coaches Liam and Dylan Resnekov at VT1 Mixed Martial Arts academy (vt1mma.com.au).

AC:  Also coaches Eddy, Graham, Adam and Jeff for their time and effort. All my training partners and friends at VT1, you guys are awesome (thanks for putting up with me).

Special thanks to training partner Glen for always being there for me. My strength and conditioning Coach Jason Gulati of Real Training (real-training.com.au) for always getting me fighting fit and strong.

AC: Thank you to my sponsors Level Clothing, and Tussel FightGear for their continuous support. Also thank you to my new sponsor Bloodbath Fightwear (www.bloodbath.com.au).  Thank you to Kya Pate of Brace for War for supporting WMMA in Australia.

AC: Last but not least, thank you to the fans, you guys are awesome!

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FIGHTING WORDS: SIMONA SOUKUPOVA

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Stepping in on late notice for an injured Nicdali Rivera-Calanoc, Simona Soukupova will challenge two time Invicta veteran Cassie Rodish at Invicta FC 5 on April 5th.

Originally starting out in Muay Thai, Soukupova has grown into a well-rounded athlete with a record of 3-2-1. Travelling the world to train with the best of the best, Soukupova did not hesitate to step in on short notice and is looking forward to taking advantage of the opportunity to fight in front of the Invicta fans on April 5th.

Corey Smith: What first drew you in to the world of mixed martial arts? How long were you training before you took your first fight?

Simona Soukupova: I do not really remember, just one day I decided I wanted to take up martial arts and striking appeared attractive to me at that time. It happened quite late in my life (in my late twenties), when I tried my first Muay Thai class and I loved it.

SS: I used to do sports as a kid but kind of being pushed a bit by my sporty parents into it. It resulted in me stopping all sports at quite an early age. I did not want to do any kind of sport for a long time, until I came across Muay Thai.

SS: I was in day to day training quite soon after taking up Muay Thai and my first fight happened after a few years in training.

CS: You hail from the United Kingdom, where there are several popular MMA promotions, BAMMA, and Cage Warriors to name a few. With MMA becoming a global phenomenon, what is the MMA community like in England?

SS: We kind of all know each other. My instructor James started to do grappling when MMA was at the beginning in the UK. I would say we are quite a close community and support each other in some way.

CS: You have fought in several different countries, including the US and Finland. What are the major differences between fighting in some of the countries you have fought in?

SS: Culture of those countries makes it different each time, how they treat you. It’s so cool to experience it.

CS: Most fighters have a home gym that they spend most of their training camps at, but it is also fairly common to visit other gyms for a few weeks at a time. Where do you spend the majority of your time training? What other gyms have you visited to help you work on one aspect or another?

SS: I have all I need in my home club – KO Gym in London. I tend to go and train with people from different gyms from time to time to improve one or another side of my game but mostly work out at KO Gym.

SS: I went twice for a few months to the US to train at well-known gyms there. I wanted to see how it works there and learn. I also wanted to experience different cultures as I love travelling and I had never been in the US before.

SS: I thought to combine training and travelling would be fun and it was. I trained with Lisa and Eddy Ellis and we also became good friends. I trained with Din Thomas from ATT, at Xtreme Couture Gym, with Cyborg in San Diego (The Arena), I met Marcelo Garcia.

SS: Last year I really enjoyed training with female team in Greg Jackson’s Gym. Actually, I met and rolled with both of the “main event” girls (Jessica Penne and Michelle Waterson) on my trips. They are great competitors (fast, long legs grapplers). If it goes to the ground it will be amazing to watch. It is a very good match. I look forward to this fight J.

CS: Do you believe that having fought in the United States before will better prepare you for fighting on April 5th at Invicta FC 5?

SS: I believe that any of my fights is part of my preparation for fighting at Invicta. To do well is a mental thing in this case. Any experience from the cage counts.

CS: How has your relationship been like thus far with Invicta FC?

SS: I communicate with Invicta through my manager Slade Bittler and it all works pretty well.

CS: Invicta FC has quickly built a reputation around exciting cards from top to bottom. Are you excited to try and contribute to that reputation? Was there any hesitation in taking a short notice fight?

SS: No hesitation, it is an opportunity and I want to be there.

CS: Your opponent at Invicta FC 5, Cassie Roddish brings a four fight win streak into the fight. How familiar are you with her? What do you expect out of the bout?

SS: I watched her fights and I think she is well rounded, as am I, so it should be a good match.

CS: You have generally fought at 115lbs in the past, but will be making the drop to 105lbs for this bout. How are you preparing for the drop in weight class?

SS: Diet! 115 is very close to my actual weight. I put on a bit more over Christmas though. I have to be on a strict diet now. It makes me hungry. And I am not talking about food now!

CS: After weigh ins, what is your favorite food to indulge in?

SS: I am addicted to peanut butter. I will dip into a jar of peanut butter after the fight for sure. Otherwise, after weigh in I do not crave anything. I am thinking off the fight.

CS: What is your mood like on fight night? Do you have any superstitions or routines you stick to on the night of the fight?

SS: I do not think of the fight the day before. On the day of, I like to have a short nap during the day and I do imagine the fight at that time – what I want to do there, etc.

CS: Inside the cage, whose voice do you look to the most? What type of feedback do you look for from your corners?

SS: I listen to my corner (Coach James Duncalf,) and we always watch the fight after and talk about what could have been done differently.

CS: Outside of training, how much MMA do you watch? Are there any fighters here or abroad that you enjoy watching?

SS: I am not into it really. I sometimes do not know big names which can be embarrassing. I like Lisa Ellis’s fighting style. I admire her wrestling!

CS: When you aren’t in the gym, what types of activities do you participate in purely for fun?

SS: Being in the gym is my hobby. I do it for fun.

CS: Lastly, MMA is as much a team sport as it is an individual one. Who would you like to thank?

SS: I would like to thank my coach James Duncalf and my MMA team from KO Gym London. And thank you to Slade Bittler for giving me an opportunity to fight on a big stage!

SS:  To my sponsors Rebekka Francis (Lutadora) and Paul Hejduk (Dawgs Forever).

SS:  And thank you for the interview!

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FIGHTING WORDS: LESLIE SMITH

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Taking a step up in competition, Leslie Smith is eager to enter the cage with former World Champion, Sarah Kaufman on April 5th at Invicta FC 5.

A three time Invicta veteran, Smith will look to capitalize on her biggest opportunity to date, and climb the rungs of the 135lb ladder. A lover of botany, she will attempt to plant a big one on Sarah Kaufman April 5th, and continue her growth towards the top of the 135lb division.

Corey Smith: You began your MMA training cold turkey so to speak, at a gym in Colorado Springs. You took your first amateur bout a little over five years ago. How long from the point you began training until you took that first bout?

Leslie Smith: I trained for two weeks before my coach asked if I wanted to take a fight three weeks later.  I had been bummed that I was going to have to wait for three months to take a fight because I realized that if I was going to get good it was going to take a lot of devotion. If I was going to be devoted I wanted to make sure I liked fighting. So I was really excited when the opportunity to get into the cage came up so soon.

LS: I was a little worried that my lack of skill made the fight more of a freak show than a display of fighting ability.  My coach at the time, Chuck Daly, said that a good fight is determined by how well the fighters match up, and I have seen that proven many times.

LS: The first fight I was offered was a total of 5 weeks after I started training.  She was in better shape than me and everybody said they thought my coach was leading me to a slaughter, but I knocked her out in the second round.  I got a standing ovation from the enthusiastic crowd and a sponsor offered to give me $300 a month.  Needless to say I was ecstatic and hooked.

CS: How soon did you get the nickname “The Peacemaker?” And how did a nickname that seems like a contradiction come about?

LS: I know fighters aren’t supposed to pick their own name but I was tossing around names for literally years and when somebody suggested ‘Peacemaker’ I really liked it.  I like all the contradictions in it and the fact that it can have a meaning to almost everybody.  Lots of people call their gun, their bat, or their power punching hand their peacemaker.

LS: I am a big fan of peace and down on passive violence.  I think it is a lot healthier to get out aggressions in the ring or cage or cardio kickboxing class than to let them fester and manifest themselves in destructive behavior to ourselves, our friends, families and community members.  Even being a spectator to fights provides an outlet for the frustrations and aggressions that we all feel and outlets are necessary to prevent major blowouts.  I also think sometimes you need to fight for peace inside your own mind and in the world.  Women still have to fight for respect and we all have to fight for the people that can’t fight for themselves.

CS: At what point did you join the Cesar Gracie Fight Team, and how did that come about?

LS:  My second pro fight was against Kerry Vera, Brandon Vera’s wife, on a Bellator card.  I wasn’t prepared to fight at that level and I decided that if I was going to call myself a professional I had better train like one.  I didn’t find the cohesion in my training that I wanted in Colorado Springs so I moved to the Bay area.

LS: My aunt lives in Oakland and she said I could come live with her, and train. I Googled all the fight schools in the area and decided to go to as many of them as I could for a free week to scam free training, unfortunately they all charged a drop in fee.

LS: I read a Sherdog post about the CesarGracieJiuJitsuAcademy and on their website they had a picture of Jake Shields.  I decided that if Jake’s picture was any indicator of the rest of the team, I would at least be working with good looking guys!  I came for a day, saw that they were legit and focused and had practices twice a day, which was what I decided was my minimum, and stuck around.

CS: Along with yourself, Alexis Davis, and Sarah D’Alelio are also members of the team. How much do you benefit from having such talented women in and around the gym every day?

LS:  I am very lucky to have such talented and established fighters around me to train with. I just worked with Alexis this morning, and she fought Kaufman recently so she had a lot of information for me. I get to work with Alexis Davis, Sarah D’Alelio, another woman you’ll see at Invicta 5, Mariam Nakamoto, and Jennifer Tate.  There is a wealth of knowledge and fight experience that I can tap into.

CS: Has there been a non-team member that you have trained with that has impressed you?

LS:  I got to go down to Huntington Beach and work with Cris ‘Cyborg’ Santos.  She is super impressive in all departments and I learned a lot from spending just a little bit of time with her.

CS: Other than weight cutting, what is the biggest challenge in the sport of MMA for you personally?

LS: There is a balance of humility and confidence that is important to maintain, it’s like pulling a string in two different directions and trying to keep it level even though you’re standing with each foot in a different boat. It is important to stay humble because that’s how I stay open to learn things and find challenges in dealing with every training partner. It is also important to be confident because confidence is key. When you believe in yourself you can do anything.

LS: When I start a training camp I focus the most on learning new skills and so the humility is important but I still have to be confident in the skills I already have. When I am at the end of the training camp I have to have confidence in everything I do and everything I have learned but I am sparring with beasts and it takes humility to be comfortable with getting smashed. I train with UFC fighters, Jiu Jitsu world champions, pro boxers, and champion Muay Thai fighters, so I am good at dealing with being uncomfortable.

CS: You have fought on Invicta 1, 3, and 4, along with being scheduled to fight Sarah Kaufman on Invicta FC 5 in April. What makes Invicta different from other MMA organizations?

LS:  Invicta takes care of their female fighters, we aren’t just an afterthought thrown onto the card to attract a few extra ticket buyers.  I had my doubts about fighting on an all-female card in the beginning but I am so happy with Invicta and the opportunities they have afforded me. I have an extra reason to fight hard now; to show my appreciation to them.

CS: With respect to your previous opponents, Sarah Kaufman represents a leap in competition for you. What excites you about this fight and what do you expect from Kaufman?

LS:  I expect Kaufman to bring it. I’m not going to have to chase her around the cage, she will be there whenever I want and that is exciting to walk into a fight knowing. I look forward to Kaufman bringing out the best in me and I am looking to bring out the best in her. She is a very accomplished fighter and I am eager to show how bad I want it.

CS: When you aren’t training, what type of things do you enjoy doing? What helps you unwind after a long day of training camp?

LS: I like to read a lot, books about dragons and historical fiction and most recently two awesome books have been The Botany of Desire and Born To Run. I like to garden, and play with my dogs and go hiking. I’m lucky to have a wonderful boyfriend who I love to hang out with so my time is always happily occupied. I can’t remember the last time I said I was ‘bored’ and I laugh thinking that I was foolish to ever think there ‘wasn’t anything cool to do’.

CS: You’ve mentioned that you have a love of gardening and botany. What draws you to those hobbies?

LS:  The truth of the growth cycle of plants is a calming influence on my soul. There is an honesty is growing plants that interactions with humans just can’t imitate.

CS: Lastly, MMA is equally a team sports as it is an individual sport. Who would you like to thank?

LS: I want to thank my coaches Alessandro Ferreira and Mark Wine for working with me every single day. I can’t name all people who have helped me but pretty much everybody that is part of the GracieFighter team, especially the Skrap Pack faction, has made me better.

LS: Cris Cyborg opened the doors of her camp to help me. Gilbert Melendez is super supportive even though he has a title fight coming up, he has still been helping me, same thing with Nathan Diaz. Of course I have to thank Cesar Gracie.

LS: My sponsors Loyalty Before Royalty, Hella High Oakland, Dirty Pirate Skate Shop, Brentwood Embroidery, and Sip Moscato are all awesome!

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FIGHTING WORDS: KATHINA CATRON

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Looking to provide main event level excitement at her Invicta FC debut on April 5th, Kathina Catron will step into the cage against fellow prospect Rose Namajunas.

Ready for anything at Invicta FC 5, Catron will attempt to add a win to her current 2-1 record. With a healthy 5-0 amateur career, every time she has stepped into the cage, someone has been finished. Well rounded in all aspects of MMA, Catron will try to stand out in a talented 125lb division at Invicta FC 5 April 5th.

Corey Smith: What first drew you to the world of mixed martial arts? At what point did it go from something you were starting to learn, and become a passion?

Kathina Catron: I first started getting interested in MMA, when I met my boyfriend and now coach Scott Lowe. I wanted to use it to get in shape and loss weight. Then I had a boxing match and decided that I wanted to do MMA. I’ve not missed a day of training since.

CS: All five or your amateur MMA bouts ended with your hand raised after a knockout. What did you learn in those fights that you couldn’t train for?

KC: I think the biggest thing I learned that you really can’t train for, is the speed of the fight.

CS: After your successful amateur career, you turned pro. Along the same lines, what did you learn in your professional bouts as opposed to the amateur ones?

KC: I think as a pro I’ve learned that the competition is well-rounded, so you can’t be a one dimensional fighter.

CS: With a rash of MMA injuries forcing changes to many MMA cards how do you manage training hard, but not over doing it to the point of injury?

KC: My coach really looks out for me and designs our workouts to cut down on injury.

CS: Your last opponent, Nicole Gaza had problems making the weight cut to 115lbs, and the bout was changed to a 125lb contest. How much do you feel that affected the outcome of the fight?

KC: All I’m going to say is when I fight at 125lb I’m walking around 135lb a week out. When we got the call one week out I was setting at 119lb and had to eat like crazy to get back to 125lb. The night of the fight I was at 129lb, but in the end I accepted the fight and it was a learning experience for us.

CS: You will be making your Invicta debut on April 5th at Invicta FC. How has your experience with the company been like so far?

KC: It’s been great! They are very organized and treat the fighters with the up most respect.

CS: Thus far, Invicta cards have been known for being excited top to bottom. How motivated are you to help continue this steak on April 5th? What are your thoughts on the 115lb weight class in Invicta?

KC:  I’m very motivated, I want them to remember our fight as if it was the main event.

KC: The 115lb class is an amazing group of talent and I’m excited to get to compete in it.

CS: Your opponent at Invicta FC 5, Rose Namajunas, brings a well-rounded game with her into the cage. How familiar are you with her? What are you expecting out of the bout?

KC: Rose is Pat Berry’s girlfriend, so I think everyone is familiar with her. I was lucky enough to get to attend her pro debut with Invicta FC 4 and she is a very talented fighter.

KC: I know she is very well-rounded, so I will have to be prepared to go where ever this fight goes.  So, I expect for our bout to be a war and I’m very excited to get to fight such a young talent.

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

KC: I get to watch a lot of MMA because we go to the local fight circuit almost every weekend with my teammates. When we aren’t at fights we like to watch UFC and Bellator. I’m a big fan of Jose Aldo, Ben Henderson and of course WMMA fighters.

CS: Inside the cage, whose voice do you look to the most? What type of feedback do you like to receive from your coaches?

KC: I look to my coach Scott Lowe for my instructions in the cage.

KC: Brutal Honesty

CS: Outside of the cage, what do you enjoy doing for fun? What helps you to unwind after a long day of training camp?

KC: I enjoy spending time with my son and boyfriend Scott Lowe.

KC: I like to soak in a hot shower, and relax with my two main men.

CS: Lastly, MMA is as much a team sport as it is an individual sport. Who would you like to thank?

KC: I would like to thank my coach Scott Lowe and all my teammates at Battle Ground MMA,  my strength coach Greg Richmond at GTR Fitness, my #1 fan Coy, ASMM Brett Atchley, Dr. Taverni, Vll A.D, Klench Mouthguard, Tussell, Combative Gear, Fight Soap, Throat Punch, Cherokee Nation, Dream Catcher Sports, and all my family, friends, and fans!!

KC: Without all of these great people I wouldn’t be able to do what I do.