GFIGHT in Indiana

I GOT A FIGHT!

I GOT A FIGHT!!!

I finally got a fight!!! I put my hat in the ring for a desperate call out for a 115 pound fighter for gfight in Indiana on January 17th. Since my pro license is just getting processed, I didn't think I would qualify yet. Jeff, the event coordinator, assured me that I would be able to fight. That took a lot of reassuring, because, Lord knows, I don't want to go all the way to Indiana and not be able to fight. He set me and my husband up with flights and rooms.

I was thrilled, to say the least! I've been trying to get a fight for around a year. Here's the catch.... it's old school elimination fights. I fight the first girl for 3 three minute rounds. If I win, I fight the next girl for 3 three minute rounds. If I win THAT one, I fight for the belt for 3 FIVE MINUTE ROUNDS!!! This will be all in a row- bam, bam, bam! Do you understand how hard it is to fight for FIVE minutes? Try sprinting for 5 minutes with someone on your back and you might get a slight understanding. I'm ready for it, though. I've been training for 5 minute rounds. I've just never had 3 fights in a row. Should be VERY interesting!

Now for the really hard part. I have been trying to gain weight for several months because it seemed like all the good fighters are at 135 pounds. Luckily, I haven't been too successful. I sit before you at a mighty 125 pounds. These fights are at 115 pounds. This means I have to do terrible things to myself in order to lose 10 pounds by Friday's weigh in. I'll spare you the details because I certainly don't want to encourage an anyone to lose weight like a wrestler- it's not healthy and can be dangerous. 10 pounds for me, though, not dangerous- I've got the muffin top going on. Hopefully, that will be the first to go- I haven't seen my six pack in years. Wonder what it looks like?

I'm ecstatic! I can't wait to tap leather and go at it! It's what I've been waiting for! My poor husband, on the other hand, is as nervous as a mother hen. He keeps asking, "Are you SURE you can lose the weight?" (Of couse I can- I used to lose 12 pounds in 2 days when I wrestled for Chico State.) He says, "Is there going to be anyone else who can corner you?" (Debi is trying to fly out to help). I assure him that he can corner me. I just need someone to feed me water and yell at me to whip her butt. He is more than qualified (he's pretty loud).

Anyhow- I have to go get some wind sprints in and do some light sparring to get ready for this. Wish me luck!

I Didn't Know it was a Jujitsu Match!

The Great Grappling Match

I got a call from my matchmaker (that's the person who sets up fights for me) to ask if I was interested in competing in a grappling match (which is pretty much a wrestling match with submissions) against Tonya Evinger. I'd been trying to get a fight with her all year, and, so, my response was "Of course!". I was excited! They told me the promoter (a typically dirty lot- who are not to be trusted) who give me $500 to grapple and $500 more if I won- in addition to gas money, room and board. I was all over that. I took time off of work- got my posse together (my husband, Debi and Katelynn) to corner me.

I was told that Tonya, an excellent wrestler, would be coming in at 140 pounds. I was cool with that, though I was at 125 at the time. I worked to gain as much as I could and brought heavy clothes and 4 pound hand weights to make my weight more impressive at the weigh in. With all that- I weighed in at 135.

We found out that the promoter would only be able to get us $100 after we got down there (LA area). I was not pleased- but I was game to grapple. Tonya was irked, too, and was not willing to bust her hump to cut weight at that price. So, she came in probably over 150. She's 5'8"- so you can just picture us looking like little sprout and jolly green giant. I didn't care- I was there for the match.

She brought her entourage with her (including a camera crew that is covering her life for a possible reality show on Spike tv). A couple of her girls spotted Debi and Katelynn and wanted matches with them. Of course, you know, my girls were totally game! When it came down to brass tacks, though, whoever wanted Debi- she backed out. Maybe she found out that Debi had a kickboxing title? Who knows.

So, Katelynn and I are getting ready- we're both a little nervous- these girls are awesome wrestlers and jujitsu trained (we are judo trained- this is a jujitsu match). Katelynn goes first. The girl rushes her to the side and gets her down! Katelynn defends like a champ and almost catches her in an arm bar at one point, but the girl has too much ground game. In the 5 minute match, she defeats Katelynn by points only (no submissions). Katelynn was pretty disappointed, but eveyone who watched could see how much potential she has. I was SO proud of her!

Next, I was up- I was pretty much warming up next to Tonya- weird for me to talk to someone prior to a match. She was very cool- no attitude whatsoever. I have to admit- I liked her. I've watched her fights on tv a few times and was always impressed with her talents. We get in the ring, touch hands and I'll be darned if she didn't get around to the side and get me down on my back rather quickly! (I'd been training for a front attack.) We had eachother in headlocks at the same time. We got out and were both attempting arm bars and head locks for the rest of the 5 minute match. She was on top the whole time, but she didn't submit me. So you can guess who one. She got me on points. I was just glad she didn't submit me, but, like Katelynn, I was a bit disappointed with my performance.

When it was all over, Tonya let us know that they might air the matches on Spike tv (if they pick up the pilot). Katelynn and I talked about the fact that the world will have an opportunity to see how well Red Bluff girls fight from our backs. We are both looking forward to MMA matches against these girls so they can see our stand up skills (that's where WE shine!)

My Girls- MMA's future superstars!

MY GIRLS- THE FUTURE OF MMA

Once upon a time, way back in the early 90's, there were 2 female kick boxers (that would be me and Debi). I say only 2 because back then, female fighters were very rare indeed. We had to travel far and wide to find other females to train with. We even went as far as Bakersfield to train with Kathy Long (a legend in kickboxing).

I was always asking other female athletes to come give fighting a try- adding that it was a phenomenal workout both for the aerobic and the strengthening benefits. Still, very rarely would I get any women to come try it. Most looked at me like I was crazy.

So, fast forward to the present. Something wonderful has happened! Females are more adventurous and more open to trying new methods of training and working out. I currently have at least 8 girls (all in high school) who are very active in my Fight Club!

Some nights, it's almost all females upstairs. It makes my heart swell with pride! These aren't just your aerobicizing females either. These are hard hitting, hard throwing girls that mean business. They are there to learn all aspects of fighting. At least 3 of them want to compete in boxing now and MMA when they turn 18 (you have to be at least 18 to fight MMA in California).

I used to think that maybe Debi and I were weird- perhaps a little bit violent. We like to beat people up. We don't mind getting bloody. A black eye, to us, is like a beautiful make over- a badge of honor (although 2 black eyes makes you look lame- like you don't know how to keep your hands up).

Now I realize that a lot of females have the same desire to step into the ring and throw down. A lot of females like to test their skills against each other. A lot of females don't mind getting a fat lip (you don't need collagen injections- come to Fight Club- we'll give you that bee stung look).

Remember those old Virginia Slims commercials? You've come a long way, baby! Well, they were dumb because they encouraged women to smoke. But I'd like to swipe that slogan just for today. Ladies, be proud- you really have come a long way!

Getting a Pro License

GETTIING MY LICENSE
Current mood: amused

Well- it looks like I have to get my pro license if I want a stab at some good fights (not just casino fights- which I'll still take). What a pain! I didn't realize all the doctors and tests it took. I need to see a general physician, an opthamalogist, a neurologist (and probably a gynacologist, a chiropractor and an ear nose and throat specialist). I have to get an MRI, an EKG, hepatitist A,B and C tests, HIV test, unspecified urine test (drug test?), and who knows what else.

What cracks me up the most is the MRI- what, you can't fight if you have pre-exisiting brain damage? What do they think getting hit in the head repeatedly does to you, anyway?

Another thing that gets my goat- to be licensed in Nevada (I'm working on California and Nevada licences) I have to get a SPECIAL licence because I was born before 1972. If I felt like an old broad before, I'll feel like a REALLY old broad when I have to present my special license. My husband jokes that I may as well get licensed through AARP while I'm at it.

Oh well- I'll do it because I want to fight. I'm just praying for some sponsorship- because my insurance will only cover so much. Anyone out there want to sponsor a professional fighter? I'll put your name all over me! Shorts, shirt, sports bra... whatever! Seriously- let me know. It'd be a great advertising opportunity (and a tax write off?)

Bringing home the GOLD!

Well- I'm back, and I bring with me a gold medal for (of all things) the ear weight. I was able to carry 16 pounds suspended from my ear over 20 feet before it dropped off. I didn't even tear my ear (my biggest concern). I was thrilled to win anything, as the whole thing did not go as I'd planned. In the first place- they did not allow me to do the 4 man carry as I did in 2000. They told me that if I wanted to do a MAN'S contest, I'd have to compete against the men with the same weight. It would have been over 600 pounds. I really thought about it, but intelligence won over pride. I value my spine too much. I could barely do the 450 pounds.

As to the other one that I thought I'd place in, the knuckle hop, I was disqualifed for bouncing too much. If you watch the film, you'll notice that I don't bounce as high as most of the others, but- whatever. Politics are everywhere, I guess. It'll make for a good movie. I can't wait 'til Liz edits it and we submit it to some festivals. I will be thrilled if we make it to the theaters some day!

As to my next venture? I got a call about a possible fight in Reno, Nevada on November 8th. It's supposed to be on Showtime. We'll see. It's 3 five minute rounds. Five minutes is a long ass round! I'm confident, though. I can't wait to get in the ring again!

Well- I gotta run (seriously!). I'll keep you updated!

North to Alaska!

We're leaving for Alaska on Tuesday- July 15th- and we're all excited and nervous. I'm hoping to look strong and be successful in my chosen events. My crew is hoping they don't miss any great shots. I always get nervous before any type of competition, but I've got more at stake here. It's fine for just a few hundred people to see you look silly, but- by capturing this on film, I will be sharing all my goofiness for the world to see. I'll have to trust my crew to tell me if I have anything in my teeth or if I have visible panty lines. That's why I'm bringing my training partner and fighter from my fight club, Katelynn. I know she won't let me look too messed up. I'm also counting on her for screaming at me not to give up when I'm out there doing the knuckle hops or the four man carry (especially the 4 man carry- that one feels like your spince is being compressed).

To prep, I've cut my workouts down to almost nothing. I want to be good and hungry for action when I get there. I got an adjustment from Dr. Carbonnel on Friday, and I'm getting a massage from Gerri Largent tomorrow. I can't wait to get there and do this! The waiting is the worst part. It's true, though, that patience and wisdom come with age. I'm not half as nervous as I was when I did this 2000, and I trained smarter- not harder these past 2 weeks. I am ready.

I expect to win at least 2 golds, and we'll be submitting this film to some festivals when it's completed. After I get back, I'm also working on another exercise video with Cal Hunter. Also, I need to line up some fights for my fighters to get them some boxing/ring experience and probably some Golden Gloves championships before I put them into the cage for MMA. Yes, I'm confident, but these are some tough kids! As I do all this, I'll be jumping back into my own cage fighting training and looking for some fights. I can't wait to smash some skulls! Oh, and, Gina Carano? If you're out there, I want a crack at you, little miss American Gladiator- cage fighting champ. It would be a good fight- but I would win. You've never been hit by PSYCHO power before!

Well, folks, I'm out for now. I'll do another post when I come back from Alaska. Wish me luck!

What A Day

What a great time at the exhibition! We had a large turn out and great matches. I can't tell you the thrill it was to face my opponent and give it my all and succeed! We raised a lot of money and helped out other organizations along the way. It all about team work.
Things are getting closer for the Olympics and I am training harder than ever. I can't wait to meet with my opponents and kick some serious butt.