“I think it’s just a matter of just exposing women to this and having them realize that they can take this. They have a physical presence on the world. Even if they’re not super strong or big, they can do something, and they can control a person. And just exposing them to that in the first place is a big part of the first step.”   Save Save

“I just kept punching her in the face and eventually we clinched up and moved towards the middle of the ring and I started with knees, and I kneed her in the liver. . . . She went down immediately. . . .  The video that I have of that fight is the video my brother recorded, who came there with my mom. And that was important because my parents do not approve of the fighting and had never attended anything until then, but my mom came to my first MMA fight with my brother and my brother turns the camera to my mom, and she’s like . . . literally cry-laughing. I love that. It’s so lovely.” [Art by Christine Vanderkaap]

“That’s when I first learned that I could be tough. Fight training—I always say that there’s always a point, maybe several points, where you cry and break down and stuff. I feel that that’s important, so that you’re kind of humbled by that experience, and then as you come back from that . . . for some reason, I always feel more put together after that moment.” [Photo by Tessa Simpson]

There’s an element of cockiness and arrogance you need in order to focus. You need to believe that you’re the best in order to prevail, especially when you’re fighting against another person, you have to believe you’re the best, because it’s just you, there’s nobody else. If you don’t believe you’re the best, then what are you doing? [Photo by Mike the Truth.] Save