Close and Personal with WMMA Jessy Rose

posted by syndee, a Women Talk Sports blogger
today, July 10, 2014 at 4:55pm EDT

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Co Owner of Iconici Tv, and Co host on Iconici Radio MMA, and Iconici Tv MMA...more

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This Australian up and coming star got my attention with the news from her last dominating win by out-striking and out-working her opponent Kate De Silva in the second round at XFC 21. She had just captured the second belt in as many fights. I just had to know more about the girl with the bright pink hair who fights out of Integrated MMA and EMT Fairtex. Doing my research I learned she was brought up much different than most of us, which intrigued me even more. It was a pure joy learning about and interviewing this intoxicating, upbeat powerhouse. I am sure you will feel the same way.

First I would like to say congrats on your impressive win via TKO in the second round at XFC 21

against Kate De Silva.

How did that fight come about?

Well I had actually been looking to match with Kate on another promotion because I knew she had a great record and a good reputation as being a formidable opponent. Then Justin from XFC came to me with the match up and it was a local show that a lot of my team mates have fought on so I couldn't pass it up. When we were initially matched she was 5-1 but she went on to have 2 more fights before we met so by the time our fight came about, she was 7-1, which was even better because it meant she was a very experienced opponent for me to come up against.

You have a very different story of how you grew up in Australia. Moving around, learning about different lifestyles, living in a van and sometimes sleeping under the stars with your mom and siblings.Looking back, do you have fond memories of those times?

Oh my goodness, so many fond memories! I experienced so many different things growing up that I feel kids from “regular” lifestyles never get a chance to go through. Having the upbringing that I had, taught me to be extremely independent, and also that in order to get anywhere in life, you have to be willing to work for it. My upbringing was amazing, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything!

Let's fast forward a bit. What inspired you to begin MMA?

I started kickboxing with an ex at an MMA gym. When my bf and I broke up, I started training more and my coach convinced me to give bjj/mma a go and I instantly loved it! Although it was about 2 years later when I moved interstate to a new gym that I really became serious about the mma side of things. Before that I was mainly focusing on kickboxing, had 2 kb fights, and just did bjj/mma randomly.

You were the only female at the gym you trained in when you began. Is that still the case? How has MMA changed for you in the time you have been in?

I wasn’t the only female, however I think I was the only female that was taking it seriously. A lot of the other women in gyms I have trained at have done it more for fitness and fun than anything else. My gym now, Integrated MMA, actually is home to the first Australian female to win a title, Mandy Stewart. I am grateful that she was there and put in the hard yards because it really paved the way for me when I came to Integrated MMA at the start of 2013. She doesn't compete anymore and only trains occasionally so I am the only competitive female in the gym again. Although that doesn’t really mean anything. We’re all there for the same reasons!

Do you enjoy training with men or women more? why?

I primarily train with me however that is still a hard question to answer… When I am training, whether technical or sparring, I don’t really take notice of “men” or “women”, they’re all just training partners to me and each one has something different to offer regardless of gender, age, height, weight…. They’re all just more people for me to learn from. Every single person brings something different to the table.

Just coming off your last win you are turning around to fight again on July 26th in Australia. As a matter of fact most of your fights have only been a few months apart. How do you stay so motivated with your fights being so close together?

Honestly I prefer to be fighting regularly. I never lack motivation however I always push that little bit harder when I have a goal like a fight coming up. At the same time, having extended periods off are good too because it allows you to work more on technical aspects and areas that I may be weaker in.

Do you study your opponent or just focus on what you need to work on to be even better in the next fight?

I don’t study my opponent, that job is for my coaches and manager. I have complete faith in the team I am a part of and know that my coaches will guide me in the direction I need to go in order to be prepared for each opponent.

You had mentioned before you would like to go to Japan and/or Thailand to train and fight. Is that still a goal of yours or are you focus on being UFC/Invicta bound?

I would still love to train and fight in Japan definitely! Whether that opportunity or Invicta or UFC comes up first, I will be happy ��

What is the biggest misconception about you?

Haha people seem to expect me to be a b!tch…. because I am angry in fights, I train hard, I don't touch gloves before I fight… I think all of these factors lead people to believe I am not a very nice person in every day life. That is just how I fight though and I do what I need to do to succeed! In every day life, I am nothing like that and people seem to be quite shocked when they realise that.

Who is your biggest inspiration in MMA? male or female

It may sound cliché but my coaches are my biggest inspiration. My coach (and Integrated MMA owner) Adrian Pang has been fighting for a decade, through injuries, personal issues, starting a family and having kids, still working full time whilst managing to train full time for massive overseas fights… The man is amazing! I don’t need to look to UFC fighters for inspiration, I just see how hard Adrian has worked and how far he has come… That inspires me more than anything.

If you could play matchmaker. weight class and promotion does not matter. Who would you like to step inside the cage with to fight?

Haha there is one fellow Aussie that I would LOVE to go toe to toe with and anyone who knows me, will know exactly who that is so I don’t need to name names ��

What goes through your mind standing in the cage across from your opponent just before you fight?

Not a lot… I’m just looking at her, focusing on her, drowning out the crowd… I’m always very focused when I am standing across the cage from her.

If you were not a professional MMA fighter what would you be doing?

I always said I would be an ice cream seller so I could taste test all the different flavours… I’m pretty lucky I am an athlete because I think if that had of ended up being my career, I would be extremely obese right now!

Name the one song every time it come on the radio or pops up in your ipod makes you dance and sing out loud. We all have one.

Ice Ice Baby…. I even have a whole dance to go with it…

That and HAMMER TIME!!!

If you could have a superpower what would it be and why?

Ooooh the ability to make chocolate affect me the same way lettuce would haha… if I could eat chocolate all the time and not put on weight or be unhealthy, I would be a very happy lady!

Do you have anyone you would like to thank?

So many people! First and foremost my coaches and team at Integrated MMA and EMT Fairtex. Coaches Dan Higgins, Adrian Pang, Nelson Stewart, Steve Compton and Sean Hannam. Every single one of my team mates at IMA, plus my friends and family, and supporters all over the world. Also to my besties Kaylee Doyle and Melissa Holt for putting up with me at the best and worst of times.

Where can everyone follow you? social media, website etc

Facebook- wwwww.facebook.com/jessyjessmma

Instagram- @jessy_jessmma

Twitter- @jessy_jessmma

Website- www.jessyjess.com

I would like to thank Jessy Jess for the candid interview. Look for her back in the cage June 26th in Australia at Roshambo MMA 3. Jessy is an up and coming star who is going to be a household name very soon.

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To get the latest MMA news and rumors, be sure to lock it in to Iconici Radio MMA every Thursday evening at 7:30pm and Saturday afternoons at 2pm MST LIVE! We feature top MMA fighters, coaches and promotion interviews, UFC news, weekly MMA news highlights and more. Iconici Radio MMA not only asks the questions everyone wants to know but we keep our radio show entertaining and knowledgeable for the beginning MMA fan all the way to the hardcore fanatic.

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Co Owner of Iconici Tv, and Co host on Iconici Radio MMA, and Iconici Tv MMA...
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