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FIGHTING WORDS: BEC HYATT RESPONDS TO COREY SMITH FOR INVICTA FC

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There can be no doubt, that no fighter in all of MMA has a more apt nickname than, Australian “Rowdy” Bec Hyatt. Bursting onto the international scene with her Invicta debut this past January, Hyatt’s popularity has exploded with a speed few have matched.

A war of words between herself and Austrian kick boxer Jasminka Cive, will explode into a war of fists on at Invicta FC 5, on April 5th.

Corey Smith: Despite playing a wide variety of sports, you gravitated towards MMA in 2010. How did that come about?

BH: I actually began training as a way to lose weight and at first I had no intention of fighting. I’m naturally fairly athletic and so for the most part of my early child hood I was active in sports, however once I grew into my teenage years, I fell into the wrong crowd, started getting into trouble and was regularly binge eating and drinking. At my heaviest before my first pregnancy in 2008 and two years before I started training, I was pushing 155lbs and then after that, much, much heavier.

BH:  I wanted to lose all this burdening weight after giving birth to my first son, but at the same time I was unmotivated and very disinterested at times due to some of the influences in my life. Initially, I joined several fitness gyms, but I always found them to be boring and the exercises to be repetitive. So after being inspired by a John Wayne Parr kickboxing instructional, I sought out kickboxing lessons to drop my weight. After trialing a few clubs, I came across my now husband, Dan Hyatt, who at the same was a trainer of a local MMA team and the rest is history!

CS: Your professional debut was in October of 2011, after roughly a year of formal training. What led you to believe that you were ready after that length of time?

BH: In hindsight, I probably wasn’t ready to fight, but try telling me I can’t do something! At the time of my debut, I’d been training seriously for less than a year altogether due to the birth of my second son Enson and I was much greener than a lot of people thought. Before I had even stepped inside the cage I was receiving a bit of hype and I had some exceptions placed on me because of who my husband was, so there was already some pressure to perform.

BH:  Leading into the fight, I had managed to lose the bulk of my second pregnancy weight and was feeling fit and confident, walking around at 119lbs.  The fight itself was at 132lbs, and my opponent was cutting to make it. This didn’t bother me however as I genuinely believed I was going to win. It was heart breaking to be caught slipping with such a sloppy kick after dominating most of the fight. My opponent’s reaction after the kick says it all really, but despite the loss, this fight is still one of my favorites and I don’t have any regrets. I went on a four fight winning streak afterwards feeling no pressure, already having tasted defeat and knowing what its like to be knocked unconscious. If I could go back in time, I don’t really know whether or not I would change the result.

CS: You and current UFC Bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey share the same nickname. Who do you think “Rowdy” suits more?

BH: If there can be a million fighters with the nickname ‘Hammer’, ‘Spider’ or ‘Pitbull’, surely there can be a few with ‘Rowdy’ too? In my mind, it’s just a word in the dictionary and by definition it means disorderly. Anyone that’s been around me for more than five minutes knows exactly how fitting this nickname is and I will change it for no one. Nobody owns rights to a word and by my last count, five other fighters use it as a nickname worldwide, but I would bet my butt that I’m the Rowdiest of them all by definition! Ronda Rousey has been fantastic for this sport and the growth of WMMA and I have no issues about sharing the same nickname as her, but I most definitely did not copy her! I was answering to ‘Rowdy’ from my family and friends well before I even knew who Ronda Rousey was and a little known fact is that my maiden name during this time was ‘Rebecca Rawlings’.

CS: To call you the undisputed female champion of social media might be an understatement if that’s possible. What draws you to such a high level of fan interaction?

BH: The reasoning for my popularity is simple; I appeal to so many different demographics. I’m a mother, I’m formerly overweight, I’m a fighter, I enjoy playing video games, I have tattoos and piercings and I know myself that I don’t have the appearance of a bush pig and sometimes play to that. From the outset, I’ve always made a point to put myself out there and to be sure that people to know my name and my image, so the level of my popularity and followers isn’t by luck or mistake, that’s for sure.

BH: My management and I have spent a lot of time over the past 18 months making myself as accessible to my supporters as possible and I make sure to interact with them as much as I can, so much so that I reply to over 50 messages personally a day! Without my supporters, I know that I wouldn’t be in the position that I am right now and I appreciate everyone’s unwavering support.

CS: Do you think that it’s important for a fighter’s career to use social and traditional media to further their career?

BH: I think it is incredibly important and I believe that fighters who think that their ability and fight results alone will take them to the top are naive. Do I agree with this? Of course not, but I accept it! MMA is sports entertainment and promoters more often than not care about how many bums you put in seats, as opposed to how great a fighter you actually are.

BH: Making people care about you and your fight is a big part of this sport now and the more marketing and exposure you can do or gain, the better for your career and image. I have no problem attracting attention or making headlines, good or bad, and I’m content with my supporter to hater ratio. I understand the importance of being a villain sometimes as well and am more than happy to play to that if it means a bigger fight or better opportunities for my career moving forward. Marketability is a part of the game as much as the fights themselves and as long as people continue to tune in to watch me fight, whether they want to see me win, or see me lose, I’m happy with that and have done my job.

CS: Invicta FC President Shannon Knapp stated that she had never seen anything like the amount of attention that you received from mainstream Australian media during your fight at Invicta FC 4. How important is it for you to promote the sport in your country? What are the differences in general state of MMA in Australia versus the US?

BH: I was very pleased when I heard Shannon Knapp’s comments as awareness and education is key when it comes to WMMA and it’s something I’ve focused a lot on here in Australia. I know that I’m in the best position out of any female fighter down under to promote this sport and I do my best to do so. No other fighter in Australia has ever achieved the amount of mainstream exposure I have, not even UFC signed fighters, so it’s been a great thing for MMA and WMMA as a whole here. In terms of differences between MMA in Australia and the USA though, to sum it up best, in Australia we have state governments banning the cage at the moment and the sport is more known as “cage fighting” than MMA!

CS: You stepped in on late notice to face Carla Ezparza for the inaugural Invicta strawweight championship at Invicta FC 4. What were thoughts when you received that call? Have you taken short notice fights in the past?

BH: I’d never taken a short notice fight up until that point, but I was also never not going to answer a call like that to step up. When your promoter comes a knocking and is in need of someone to save the day, it’s always in a fighter’s best interest to accept and I’m not naive to that fact. It’s certainly not cheap to bring a fighter over to the United States from Australia, so in some ways I felt indebted to the organization as well. But I still can’t believe that so many fighters turned down the opportunity, especially when it can only take one loss, mistake or injury to derail a contender’s title run.

BH:  I have zero regrets accepting the fight and wouldn’t change anything other than the result, but even then I’m not too disappointed with my performance given the circumstances. Leading into the fight I was subject to a lot of negativity, being that I was a 10-1 underdog, with many MMA “experts” in their “expert” opinions suggesting that I wouldn’t last a single round. My original opponent even commented in a catty fashion that it would be an early night for me and the commentators were seemingly pro Esparza during the fight itself. The only people who believed I could win or perform were myself, my team and my supporters.

BH: So in many ways my performance was satisfying, while bitter sweet at the same time considering I could have potentially finished on a couple occasions. Make no mistake, I never felt in danger or was ever hurt during the fight and I could have continued for many rounds more. But in the end, Esparza definitely deserved her victory on points, she fought her fight, a smart fight and now I’m looking forward to EARNING my way back to an eventual re-match and title shot!

BH: The amount of experience I managed to gain inside and outside of the cage from that week alone has been invaluable. Even in defeat, I’ve benefited greatly from more exposure and career opportunities than a win over my original opponent would have ever brought me, so it wasn’t all that bad. I’m very thankful that I was given the opportunity and if I had my time again, even knowing that I would lose, I wouldn’t change a thing.

CS: What has it been like so far working with Invicta? What does working for a company like Invicta do for your in cage performance?

BH: In a word, the treatment I’ve received as an IFC fighter thus far has been AMAZING! I’ve never experienced anything like it in my career and I hope to call IFC my home for a long, long time to come. You get the genuine feeling that you matter to the powers that be within the organization and it’s been more than I could ever have imagined coming from where I have. I’ve been lucky enough over the past three years to be around a lot of promotions in Australia, but the professionalism from top to bottom of IFC events is on a whole other level. I’m very proud to have become the first ever Australian to sign and fight for the organization. Being able to experience the sport at this level, this early in my career has been a real eye opener. I have no doubt moving forward into the future that my time spent with Invicta Fighting Championships is going benefit me for years and years to come!

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

BH: During a fight and in-between rounds, I listen out most for my head trainer Malcolm Vanderaar’s voice. Mal’s been in my corner for all six of my fights to date and is very knowledgeable about the sport, the situations and he researches all my opponent’s styles and tells. I can’t imagine fighting without his voice giving me instruction and I definitely prefer to be told the truth between rounds. If I’m losing or under performing, I want to be told, I don’t want it sugar coated and I want to know what I need to do to win. I’ve seen so many corners give their fighters reassuring advice despite obviously losing the fight at the time and that would really frustrate me in the corner. Give me a kick up the butt!

CS: You are set to face Jasminka Cive at Invicta FC 5 on April 5th. How much do you know about Cive? Have you been able to review any video of her past fights?

BH: My team and I have reviewed a lot of tape on Jasminka, even before this fight was even signed as we anticipated the fight would be inevitable. In saying this, I’ve always been excited for this match up, but now I’m actually counting down the days after comments made by my opponent’s fiance recently. I’ve been accused of steroid abuse, being a junkie & having zero talent, so victory is set to be even sweeter on April 5 in Kansas City. Stylistically, this is a fan friendly fight, I have no doubt that everyone will be entertained. There is no mistaking that Jasminka is a strong and durable opponent, one that is not to be underestimated. I’m confident though that I’m going to punch Jasminka Cive in the face so hard, she’ll wish she was still back in Austria fighting gypsies in home made cages!

CS: Like most female fighters, you originally had to fight at a higher weight class in order to get a fight. What do you think about the amount of talent that seems to have flooded the sport recently, allowing more athletes to fight at their natural class?

BH: I think it’s fantastic and that a lot of credit is due to the personalities and popularity of fighters such as Ronda Rousey, Miesha Tate and Gina Carano, in addition to the arrival of Invicta Fighting Championships and the opportunities on a world stage that the promotion presents.

BH: Even in Australia alone, the amount of female’s fighting now compared to when I first started training is nothing short of incredible. It’s definitely good to know that I likely won’t ever have to fight outside of my natural weight class again. At the end of the day, every single female fighter has two arms, two legs and a heart beat just like any man and if justified, a female should be afforded the same opportunities. It’s great to see so many fighters active now, not to mention the amount that are currently training and I have no doubt with women in the UFC now, it’s only going to keep getting bigger and bigger!

CS: Your husband Dan Hyatt, is also a professional fighter. How does that aid the both of you in your careers?

BH: It can be a blessing at times, but at others a hindrance. Dan is the reason I got into this sport and was my first ever trainer, manager and has played a huge role in my development as a fighter. Outside of that, he has also sacrificed his own training for my past four fights by looking after our two children so I’m able get the right training in. I know this frustrates him a lot, but it’s allowed me to train at a level I was never able to before and has been a big factor in me taking my training, skills and career to the next level. It’s definitely much harder when he is active but to be known as the first husband and wife MMA couple in Australia does come with a lot of perks and we can’t really complain from that end. Really, it’s just about someday soon finding the right balance so that we can both train and fight again to the levels that we want.

CS: In another interview, you stated that you enjoy playing video games. What are you favorite titles? What else do you enjoy doing outside of training?

BH: I try and get in as much game time as I can but with my increased training schedule since signing with Invicta Fighting Championships, I haven’t had the chance to play as much. I mostly hit up the Call of Duty series but I’m admittedly not very good and my K/D ratio is terrible! I do talk a mean game though and when I posted my gamertag on my fan page, my Xbox Live friends list reached its limited within five minutes and I was owned in every game thereafter! Other than gaming, I enjoy spending time with my two children, Enson and Zake, along with my miniature bull terrier puppy, Meaty and outside of that, any amount of sleep is a good thing, especially close to fight week!

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

BH: First and foremost, I’d like to thank all my supporters! As I always say, I have undoubtedly the best support base any fighter could ever ask for and a lot of the opportunities I’ve been given over the past couple years has been due to them. I’d like to also thank my trainers, Malcolm Vanderaar, Dean Wall and Mark Brady, and along with my training partners at Impact MMA in Brisbane for all the time and effort they put into me. In addition, thank you to coach Danny Higgins and Adrian Pang from Integrated MMA in Stafford and my American wrestling coach, former NCAA D1 wrestler Danny Galvan, for all the extra assistance they have given and offered to me. Lastly, thank you to my management at Alchemist Management and to all my existing and new sponsors for this upcoming fight. Without your support, I could not afford to do this sport. Please follow me on Twitter @RowdyBec!

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FIGHTING WORDS: JESSAMYN DUKE TALKS INVICTA FC 5

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Undefeated kickboxing prospect Jessamyn Duke, steps into the Invicta cage for the third time in her career April 5th at Invicta FC 5.

2-0 thus far in her career, Duke will take on fellow undefeated kickboxing champion Miriam Nakamoto. Duke brings a killer attitude each and every time she enters the Invicta cage, and looks to best Nakamoto to remain perfect.

Corey Smith: How did you first enter into the world of MMA?

Jessamyn Duke: I started training in 2006 under Scott Elliott, and although I was only taking Muay Thai classes in the beginning, it was only a matter of months before I was enrolled in all of the classes (Muay Thai, no-gi grappling, BJJ, MMA, wrestling, etc) available at the AFS Academy.

JD:  I expressed interest in competition and my coach directed me to grappling tournaments first, and then in 2008 I had my first Muay Thai fight. In 2010, after several kickboxing matches and numerous grappling tournaments I decided I wanted to try MMA and made a successful debut. Once I had a taste of what MMA competition was all about, and the popularity of female fighters was growing, I decided that I wanted to fully dedicate myself to the sport and becoming the very best.

CS: You bring a very strong Muay Thai background into the cage with you, and are also a certified instructor. How did that come about?

JD: It was just a natural progression of my training. We have a saying at my school… “Fight as a result of training, don’t train as a result of fighting.” In other words, train first. Train because you love it. Don’t train because you feel like you have to because you’ve agreed to a fight.

JD:  I decided early on that I wanted to pursue certifications in the areas available, and Muay Thai was one of them. My coach, Scott Elliott is a full instructor under Ajarn Chai Sirisute of the Thaiboxing Association of the U.S.A. We travel to train with him on a regular basis as well as host him at our school once a year. The man brings 45+ years of experience of coaching and training fighters and champions.

JD: In late 2009 I took my apprentice instructorship test in front of Ajarn Chai, and in 2011 I was promoted to Associate instructor as well as taking over the responsibilities as the new KY state director for the TBA.  I still train regularly with Ajarn Chai as well as attend the yearly Pacific NW Muay Thai Camp; an invitation only training camp where many of the world’s greatest fighters and instructors come to share their knowledge and push our minds and bodies to the limit for one week up in the mountains of Oregon.

CS: You fight out of the AFSAcademy in Kentucky. What is the MMA community like in the state of Kentucky?

JD: MMA is hugely popular and competitive in KY. Almost every weekend there are fights going on somewhere in the state (usually multiple shows). My instructor, Scott Elliott, even teaches college accredited courses at the university here in Richmond (EasternKentuckyUniversity) on Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and MMA.

CS: What has your experience with Invicta been like so far, considering both your professional bouts have been under the Invicta banner?

JD: Invicta has been an absolute joy to compete for. I honestly couldn’t ask for more in a promotion. They respect all the competitors under their banner and they strive to ensure that we are treated the way professional athletes should be treated. I never feel as though corners are being cut, or that anything takes priority over us and our experience with them.

CS: Invicta cards always seem to be exciting from top to bottom. Do you think that female athletes are more motivated to perform?

JD: Definitely. We always feel as though we have something to prove, whether it’s to the crowd, or the naysayers that claim we have no place in the sport. The women have been competing alongside the men for years, and even though we have a cage of our own in Invicta, I feel that we carry that motivation from past experience onto that stage. Like almost every coach tells their fighter, “Leave it all in the cage!” And I think women have no problem doing that. We’ve been doing it for years to carve out our niche in this sport.

CS: After your first professional bout, a TKO victory in round 3 at Invicta FC 2, you stated that you wished you had finished your opponent more quickly. At Invicta FC 3, you finished your opponent with a submission in round 1. How will you be looking to improve in your next bout on April 5th at Invicta FC 5?

JD: I train my body and my mind for a war, every time I fight. Ideally, you train to such a high capacity that when you get in the cage, the fight feels like an easy day of training. I will always strive to finish my opponent in the most exciting, dominant way possible. I want the crowd to feel like they just saw the physical manifestation of someone imposing their will. I want the word “Wow” to be on everyone’s lips after my fight.

CS: Your opponent at Invicta FC 5, Miriam Nakamoto has relatively the same amount of MMA experience as you. How familiar are you with Nakamoto, and what are you expecting out of the bout?

JD: I’m extremely familiar with Miriam. I’ve known about her since 2006 after I saw her on a reality show about female Muay Thai fighters. I’ve always admired her as a fierce competitor and someone to model myself after in the ring. She is an aggressive, dominant fighter who has proven time and time again that she is not to be taken lightly or looked over.

JD: However, I’m expecting a finish. Miriam has never been defeated in professional Muay Thai or MMA. I intend on issuing her the first L in her career. I asked for this fight because I wanted a challenge and I wanted to make a statement. I feel that I have nothing to lose and no reason to hold back once we are in the cage together. I want this victory and Miriam should expect to collide with me at my best on April 5th.

CS: How would you describe your in cage mindset and how that translates to your fighting style?

JD: My cage mindset is fairly simple. Impose my will, trust in my training, and hold nothing back. When I fight, I want to make sure that the opponent is fighting MY fight. I’ve erred before in my amateur career by trying to play my opponents game too much and beat them at it because I felt that I HAD to fight a certain way to beat them. I trust in my coach and my training that I am a highly skilled fighter who is capable and dangerous in all areas. You have to believe that your techniques will work, and if they don’t you have to trust that you will recover. You can have NO FEAR of failure in the cage.

JD: And although saying “Hold nothing back” sounds cliché, it’s important to drill that into your mindset. If the fight goes all 3 rounds, I want my opponent to feel 100% of my capabilities in that time. I don’t want to finish the fight and then be able to do backflips or pushups. I want to feel as though I gave everything I had, that way I have no regrets. The smallest things can turn the tide of a fight, if you hold back, you may be cheating yourself out of a victory.

CS: During a fight, how do you like to be coached? Whose voice do you look to the most?

JD: I’ve trained under the same instructor since the beginning. My coach, Scott Elliott, has all of his fighters tuned into his voice. It helps that his voice is loud and carries, but he honestly doesn’t say much during the fight. Occasional reminders or warning of something being set up that we might not see in the fight is about it. He doesn’t like to “overcoach” a fighter during a match. He says he trusts his competitor to know what to do.

JD: Between rounds, he helps me maintain focus and then, if there is some opening he wants me to exploit, he will tell me in the corner. Oddly enough, his voice is one of the only things I can hear in a fight. I’ve been told it’s called “tunnel hearing”. Everything else outside the cage just sounds like white noise. The only exceptions seem to be my Mom, or my sister’s voice, and if they’re cage side for one of my fights, I can hear every word they say. So they know to be careful what they shout when I fight! Ha!

CS: How much do you believe your natural height of 5 feet 11 inches contributes to your abilities in the cage?

JD: I think it’s a HUGE contributing factor. The challenge in my career thus far has been learning and understanding how to use my frame to its fullest advantage, both on the feet, and on the ground. But that goes for any fighter. You have to learn how to make the best use of the natural gifts you’re given. My height is one of mine. I’m one of the tallest female competitors at 135lbs. I present a unique challenge to anyone that fights me. It’s my job to continue making that challenge more and more difficult.

CS: 135lbs appears to be the premier division in Women’s MMA. What are your thoughts on the division as a whole, and competing within it?

JD: The women’s bantamweight division has always been one the most stacked and most competitive. I’m glad I made the drop down late in my amateur career. I made the move, not because I thought it was the premier division, but because it is where I thought I would be the most competitive. So far, I’m undefeated at 135lbs. I’m glad it’s the most packed division, because that presents me with plenty of challenges and experience along the way.

CS: How much MMA do you watch on a regular basis? Does training constantly in the sport make the fighting less appealing to watch?

JD: I watch something MMA related almost every day. I actually love watching fights and I think it’s great that there is so much free MMA available on TV all the time. Watching fights is addictive, to me. I study them and project myself onto the fighters I’m watching and think about what I would do in that situation, or how I would have handled a certain opponent or obstacle. It just helps to reinforce the things I do in training every day.

CS: Outside of the cage, what types of activities do you enjoy? What helps you unwind after a long day of training camp?

JD: I love to play video games when I get time. Usually in fight camp, that’s almost never though. After hard training, I really enjoy snuggling up on the couch with my kitties and watching some Ancient Aliens or a documentary I found on Netflix. I also enjoy visiting my family. I’m lucky that my Mom lives so close and that I can see her on a regular basis. I love going to visit and spend time catching up with her and eating the good food she spoils me with!

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

JD: So many people contribute and have a part in my success! I want to thank my coach, Scott Elliott, who has been with me from the very beginning and believes in me the way I do. All of my teammates at the AFS Academy, Gina Begley, Adam Fritz, Emily Bartee, Brandon Campbell, Andrew Brown, Ethan Bens, and everyone else who embraces the grind with me every day and sacrifice their bodies and their training to help me succeed.

JD: I want to thank my friends up in Minnesota, Kaitlin Young, her coach Greg Nelson, and her entire team for having me in for training to help during my fight camp, and for treating me like one of their own!

JD: I also want to thank my manager, Brett Atchley of Addison Sports Management and Media for helping provide guidance and opportunity to me as a fighter and for caring as much about my career as I do!

JD: Without sponsors, pursuing my dream of fighting would be much harder and many opportunities I’ve had in the past wouldn’t have been possible, so I want to be sure to thank ALL my sponsors: Polanti Watches, VII A.D. Jewelry, Horsepower S&C, Klench Mouthguards, Intimidation Fightwear, The JKD Doc – Dr. Taverni, BJJ Bands, Hype X-treme, Outlaw Fight Gear, Stinson Chiropractic, A Healing Stone Therapeutic Massage, and of course Invicta FC for giving female fighters a cage of our own.

JD: Finally, I want to thank my family, and all of my fans for the never-ending support. Thank you Mom, thank you Sis, and thank you to any fan who ever sent me words of encouragement, sent me an inspirational quote or cheered for me when it was my time to shine, regardless of the outcome. That support is the foundation of my success, and I am eternally grateful for each and every one of you!

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FIGHTING WORDS: WITH BARB HONCHAK

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Barb “Little Warrior” Honchak will enter the Invicta cage on April 5th against Brazilian veteran Vanessa Porto to crown the first Invicta Flyweight Champion.

A well rounded and tough fighter out of the famed Milletich Fighting Systems in Iowa, Honchak is currently riding a six fight win streak into her showdown with Porto at Invicta FC 5. Honchak earned wins at both Invicta FC 2 and 3, and is looking forward to becoming the first flyweight champion in Invicta history on April 5th.

Corey Smith: You have quite the extensive amateur MMA record, even taking on Jessica Eye early on in both your careers. Was it important to you to have a certain amount of experience before turning pro?

 Barb Honchak: I wasn’t counting the number of fights I had or anything along those lines.  I think there is a point in one’s amateur career when it just becomes difficult to find fights.  That is what really determined when I turned pro.

 CS: You moved to the Quad Cities area when your husband received a job offer, and it turned out to be a double blessing when you joined Miletich Fighting Systems in Iowa. What is the atmosphere like at such a famed gym?

 BH: The atmosphere is great.  There are many up and coming fighters at the gym as well as veterans with a strong team atmosphere.

CS: You have spoken about the new skills you have learned at MFS. Can you expand on that a bit and tell us what you have learned there?

BH: There are quite a few fighters at MFS with extensive experience, which brings a lot of knowledge.  I have learned a lot of new techniques and philosophies about fighting from them.  Sometimes its just small details that make a huge difference, and that is one thing only experience can provide.

CS: You also mentioned in the past that there are several women in your weight class at MFS for you to train with and how big of an advantage that is for you. What makes training with another woman better than with a male fighter?

BH: Women are smaller, more flexible and quick.  They rely on skill and technique rather than strength. So training with them has an entirely different feel than training with men.  I wouldn’t say that it is better or worse, just different.

CS: You declined an invite to fight at the inaugural Invicta show because of the same move that brought you to MFS. How important to you was it to be comfortable with your new coaches before taking a fight? Do you still feel it was the right decision?

BH: I feel it is important to know my coaches and team, but also for them to know me.  I want my corners to know what I am capable of.   Yes, it was the right decision.

CS: When preparing for their opponents, most female athletes have spoken on the fact that there usually is not much video of their opponents fights. Is that still fairly common or has that improved?

BH: It changes for each opponent.  For my first fight with Invicta against Bethany Marshall, I had very little video.  But when I fought Aisling Daly, I had plenty of footage.

CS: You picked up wins at Invicta 2 and 3. After each win you also picked up more fans and attention. What has that part of your career been like?

BH: The fans are amazing and I am grateful for them.  I wouldn’t have a job without them.  I haven’t really noticed much difference in the amount of attention I get.  I suppose I don’t really look into that very much.

CS: What do you think a promotion like Invicta FC means for the sport?

BH: I believe Invicta FC saved the sport for women.  I felt like the shows supporting us were really on the outs before them.  Now Invicta is women’s MMA.  This is the show females should aspire to be on.

CS: At Invicta FC 5 you are fighting Vanessa Porto for the inaugural Flyweight title. What would a win mean to you?

BH: The title would be amazing.  What more could a competitor ask for than being recognized at the best?  It is what I aspire to be.

CS: Your opponent, Vanessa Porto brings a wealth of experience against high level opponents into the cage with here. What do you think will be your biggest challenge in that fight?

BH: Vanessa is a very well rounded opponent and I expect her to be very strong physically.   I believe Vanessa has many tools on her feet and on the ground and I expect our fight to be an absolute battle.

CS: I read that you are a big fan of the Silent Hill video games. Are you a big video game fan in general or only with select titles? What else do you do to unwind after a long day of training camp?

BH: Ha, yes that is a phase I went through.  I really don’t play that many games.  I tend to be a bit of a homebody.  My husband and I started to learn to sail last summer and I spend a lot of time with my dogs, hiking or playing outside.

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

BH: The time away from friends and family would be the hardest part.  There are many times I would like to do things with or for them, but can not because of training.

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

BH: I have so many people to thank:

Mike Reddish, Eli Shetler, Junior Hernandez, Pat Miletich, all my teammates and coaches at MFS, Josh Howat and Brandon Adamson from BPS, Steve Berger and all my former coaches and teammates from Berger MMA, Jay Damato, Brett Atchley and Addison Sports Management, Sam Wilson, Slade Bittler, Shannon Knapp and Janet Martin, Cat Zingano, all of my sponsors and last but certainly not least, my husband Timm Beeman.

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FIGHTING WORDS WITH JENNIFER MAIA

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A rising prospect out of Brazil, Jennifer Maia will make her Invicta and US debut on April 5th against Zoila Gurgel at Invicta FC 5.

Maia is a member of the legendary Team Chute Boxe, who have produced such notable athletes as Wanderlei Silva, Shogun Rua, and Invicta’s own, Cris “Cyborg” Santos. A submission ace looking to make a name in the US, Maia should provide a stiff matchup for Zoila Gurgel on April 5th.

Corey Smith: How did you first get into MMA, and what was the discipline you started training first? What keeps you competing in the sport?

Jennifer Maia: I started to compete in Muay Thai initially. When I found MMA getting more exposure I migrated to MMA, and won my first fight by knock out. I want to be recognized for always giving good shows in my fights.

CS: This will be your first bout in the United States, what are you looking forward to the most?

JM:  I preparing myself very well to fight a good fight and keep going with Invicta FC.

CS:  What types of challenges do female fighters face in Brazil? Are you able to maintain a regular fighting schedule?

JM:   People are still a little biased towards females fighting, but now it is slowly starting to change. A lack of sponsorships for female fighters can also be a problem. And yes, I have been able to maintain a regular fighting schedule here in Brazil.

CS: When you aren’t training, what type of things do you enjoy doing?

JM:  I like to run, and hang out with friends.

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

JM:  A long hot shower and watching a good movie.

CS: Many considered it a controversial move, but in your last fight Sheila Gaff went on the offensive immediately following the traditional touching of the gloves. Do you feel like it was an unfair advantage on her part, and would you like a rematch?

JM:  I would not like a rematch. It was unfair from her, we never touched hand. Sheila give a fake touch with one hand and then punched with the other.

CS: Many fighters say they learn more from their losses than they do from their victories. What have you learned from yours?

JM:  I learned to be a better athlete, and a better professional.

CS: This will be your first fight for Invicta FC, how has your experience with them so far been? Have you heard from other fighters in regards to fighting for Invicta?

JM:  I have seen a very organized event, along with a high level staff. Yes, the event has a good visibility and reputation with the fighters.

CS:  You are set to face off against Zoila Gurgel at Invicta FC 5, who brings great standup and a wealth of experience to the cage. What are you expecting out of this fight?

JM:  A very hard fight, but a great show for the public for sure.

CS: How familiar are you with Gurgel?

JM:  I watched her fights, and we come from the same style of fighting

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

JM:  I just listen to my coach voice, he knows my game. He knows how to make me attack or defend better.

CS: Many consider you a submission specialist. Do you prefer a submission or a knockout?

JM:  I am looking for the win, so I always go where the fight is easiest for me.

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

JM:  The worst part it is the day to day grind. Working and training everyday, but luckily I love my job. Some days get me very tired.

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

JM:  I would like to thank my coach, who’s believed in me and is always on my side. My training partners at Chute Boxe, and my sponsors Tanoshi equipment and Suplemais supplements, both believed in me since I started fight.

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Corey Smith interviews Vanessa Porto

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Corey Smith interviews Invicta FC 5’s Flyweight Title Challenger Vanessa Porto

A grizzled veteran hailing from Sao Paulo, Brazil, Vanessa Porto is veteran of twenty MMA fights. With a record of 15-5, the submission specialist has faced a who’s who of Women’s MMA, including Cris Cyborg, Amanda Nunes, Jennifer Maia, and Tara LaRosa.

Currently competing in Invicta’s 125lb division, and few fighters can match her experience or tenacity. Before facing off against Barb Honchak for the inaugural Invicta Flyweight title April 5th, Vanessa Porto sat down to answer a few questions for us.

Corey Smith: You started training in 2004 in Brazil. Did you have any martial arts background at that point? What were those first few weeks like?

Vanessa Porto: No I walked into the dojo for the first time with no experience but as soon as I started training I fell in love with it and I have never looked back. The first few weeks of training were life changing. I felt like I had so much to learn and there weren’t enough hours in the day to quench my thirst.

CS: You have said that you were hooked on MMA after your first fight against Carina Damm. What drew you to MMA and what was it about MMA that made you “hooked” as you said?

VP:  The competition and the adrenaline of going into a cage with another human being that is trying to hurt you. MMA has so many disciplines you never stop learning. It is like an endless book. It changes your life in many different and positive ways.

CS: For most of your career you fought in your native Brazil. What are the major differences between a Brazilian MMA match and an American match?

VP: In Brazil the shows are smaller and less organized. Invicta is a whole other level so it’s not fair to judge them against the shows in Brazil. Invicta beats any other show in Brazil or America.  In Brazil you fight more for pride than to build your career, so a lot of fighters including myself have taken fights that you wouldn’t see put together in America. I took the Cyborg fight being outweighed by 18lbs. No athletic commission in America would allow that fight. Only in Brazil!

CS: Many of your opponents at the beginning of your career have gone on to become major names in the world of Women’s MMA, none more so than Cris “Cyborg” Santos. You took that fight on one day’s notice. How much did you know about her going into that fight? What did you learn from that fight?

VP:  I knew that she was out of Chute Boxe, who at the time were the number one team in Brazil. All killers. I still accepted the fight because I was very anxious to compete again. I learned a lot about myself from that fight. I wasn’t intimidated by her like a lot of other fighters have been. I came out to finish her and I almost did. I never gave up throughout the fight and kept fighting to the last bell. I learned that I can be pushed to the brink and keep fighting. It gave me a lot of confidence throughout my career knowing that I did well against Cyborg, especially after she became the baddest women on the planet.

CS: Back to the quality of your opponents early in your career, do you think that it helped your career to face such talented women so early?

VP:  It’s hard to say, I come from a different era where we just fought whoever was put in front of us. But it is good to build your career up at a slower pace like they do now. Being thrown into the fire early made me better at a faster pace because of the level of fighters I fought early on. I had to get better quick, so I trained nonstop and dedicated my life to this.

CS: When you weren’t able to secure an MMA fight, you fought in BJJ tournaments and took boxing matches. How much did that aid in your development rather than simply continuing to train in the gym?

VP:  It helps a lot. It might not be MMA, but it is live competition and its still striking and grappling. I always wanted to stay active so when the MMA fights dried up, then I had to do other things to stay sharp. You are still looking across from someone that wants to hurt you!

CS: You are a member of The MMA University in New Jersey. Are you training there full time, or are you still mainly training down in Brazil?

VP:  I’m still living and training in Brazil, but I fly in early before the fight to train at The MMA University. My husband Perdo Iglezia is my head coach, and he trains me in Brazil and New Jersey. My manager Chris Vender owns The MMA University so that is why we end up in New Jesrsey. They have very good coaches with a lot of MMA experience. They are a very good team to train with.

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?

VP:  I like mountain biking and spending a lot of time outside in nature. But training is a large chunk of my life. I like to wind down after a long day of training by reading a book or getting on the Internet.

CS: The MMA University also manages your career full time, a situation that you have not always had in the past. What does their management do for your career?

VP:  It has been great. Once I signed with The MMA University they gave me the support that I needed for a long time. I had prior management in America, but they couldn’t get me any fights in America so I was stuck for 3 years fighting only in Brazil. Once my contract was up with that management company, I contacted Amanda Nunes. I spoke to her about her manager Chris because he had done a really good job with her career. I ended up signing with Chris and MMAU and I was fighting at Invicta II four months later. He has helped me with everything I need and that is what I need to be champion of the world

CS: Most fighters say that the weight cut is the hardest part about being a fighter. Aside from that, what would you say is the hardest aspect of being a fighter?

VP:  Just the training camp where your whole life gets put into one big schedule. From eating to sleeping to training, everything you do is put into a schedule!

CS: A common theme among the athletes of Invicta FC has been gratitude for being able to fight on a regular schedule. What does fighting for Invicta FC mean for you?

VP:  It has been amazing to have a home where you know you are going to fight on a regular basis, and earn a paycheck on a regular basis. I feel blessed to be with the Invicta from their beginning and I know when I look back 10 years from now this will be a very special time in my career and for WMMA.

CS: Your first bout under the Invicta banner, at Invicta 2 you fought at 135lbs, and then at Invicta 3, your bout was scheduled for 125 pounds. After weigh-ins, it was changed to a catch-weight bout at 127. What did you learn from that first weight cut, and why do you feel you will be more successful at 125?

VP:  At Invicta 2 there were 13 other 135lbers fighting on the card and I was the smallest one there. My manager decided to move me to 125lbs after seeing this and knowing that I didn’t have to cut weight to get to 135lbs. I fought at 131lbs in Brazil, so it was only 6 more lbs. With his precise weight cutting process it was a perfect weight cut when I dropped to 125lbs at Invicta 3. I felt a lot stronger and faster at 125lbs. My opponent Tara LaRosa was unable to make 125lbs and was stuck at 127lbs, but I took the fight anyway. I was going to fight her no matter how much she weighed. I had something to prove.

CS: You are scheduled to fight Barb Honchak for the inaugural Invicta FC Flyweight title. What type of challenge do you think Honchak presents? Have you been able to see much video of her past fights?

VP:  Barb is an awesome fighter and that is why she is fighting for the belt. She is a very complete fighter and a very dangerous opponent. I have watched video, but she continues to improve so she will be the best Barb Honchak yet.

CS: What would winning the Invicta Flyweight title mean to you and your career?

VP:  I have won titles before, but never a World title. Everything I worked and sacrificed for all these years will finally pay off. It will be a great accomplishment and something that I have dreamed about for a long time. I have paid a lot of dues fighting since 2004 and I want to create my place in WMMA history.

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

VP:  My husband Pedro, My manager Chris, Shannon Knapp and Janet Martin, Combatives Gear, Tussle, Dr Taverni, Dr Haley and all my sponsors and fans. April 5th is the best card in Women’s MMA history and I hope to be victorious and prove I’m the best 125lber in the world.