Interview with MMA Fighter Roxanne Modafferi: Part I

The following interview is brought to you courtesy of MMA Industries. Check out their selection of quality MMA gloves, clothing, and a wide selection of other martial arts equipment.

Alexia Krause: I'm hoping that many of the people reading this are already MMA fans, but for those that are new to the world of competitive martial arts, why don't you tell us a little about your training background. At a very young age, you already had a well-rounded repertoire (Tae Kwon Do, Kenpo, Judo, followed by Jiu-Jitsu). Can you tell us more about that progression? What was it like going from rolling with a simple gi to donning full MMA Gear; entering a cage with your fans screaming?

Roxanne Modafferi: I started training for fun.  My attitude changed gradually.  First, as a teenager, I wanted to beat up 'bad guys' like super-heroes.  Then when I hit high-school, I adopted a peaceful-non violent attitude.  I stopped striking sports, to start Judo:  The "Gentle Way."  From there, it was jiu-jitsu. I was against MMA at first.  I felt it was too brutal and violent.  However, all my training partners were really into it and watched the UFC on pay-per-view, so I joined them and got into it.  My first professional MMA fights were in smaller shows, so I gradually got used to fans and the arena.

Could you say it was your interest in the Martial arts that also got you interested in the Japanese language and culture, or was it the other way around? Tell us about your time in Japan. How do you find the challenges of teaching compared to those of training?

I think my love of martial arts and the Japanese culture was totally unrelated in the beginning.  I got into Japan from loving Japanese animation.  I started watching them subtitled and decided I loved the Japanese language, and also their always-get-back-up-no-matter-what attitude.  I studied Japanese in college, hoping to become an interpreter and translator someday.  I will pursue that when I get older.  Actually, I'm writing a book about my time in Japan, so it'd be difficult to summarize here.  I will say that I love living in Japan, even while recognizing the drawbacks. 

What are the major differences between Jiu-Jitsu or MMA in Japan versus what you see in the States? How are your Japanese fans different from your American fans?

Regarding the differences, I think that the MMA I've seen in the States and other countries has been fine-tuned and certain training areas are pinpointed, whereas people aren't as aware of it in Japan.  For example, I told a Japanese fighter friend that I wanted to gain muscle and strength.  He told me to join a wrestling class, and that the drills will give me all I need.  While that sounds great, I don't want to focus all my energy entirely on wrestling.  Maybe I need to build more strength in specific areas, rather than just doing sprawl drills for an hour.  I asked my striking coach Sean Frew, the same question.  He took me to the gym and showed me a bunch of different weight-lifting exercises that focus on muscle groups.  Those exercises are directly applicable to movements and actions we do in MMA.

Regarding Japanese fans, I've mostly fought in the States, so I mostly have non-Japanese fans.  But some people leave nice supporting comments on my Japanese blog.

Obviously, there are many young women out there who are MMA fans. You've mentioned watching UFC in the past. How does it make you feel that Dana White has essentially maintained that women do not belong in the UFC? Conversely, is Strikeforce (a competing Mixed Martial Arts organization, which allows female competitors) as accommodating to female athletes as they appear to be, or could everyone be doing a little bit better?

I feel sad and puzzled that Mr. White and Zuffa aren't putting on women's matches in the UFC.   I respect his judgment in the MMA market, but at the same time, Strikeforce has done an amazing job of putting on great women's fights, and created a prestigious women's title.  People have become fans and many men who were previously adverse to females fighting, are now fans.  I think in general, female fighters need more promotion.  I understand the hesitancy due to the lack of depth in the pool of women fighters in the past, but I don't think that's true anymore.

Female athletes all across the globe have looked up to you as a role model and an inspiration for women in professional sports. How does that role make you feel? How do you advocate the young women out there who are interested in following in your footsteps?

I'd never dreamed I would become a role-model for people.  I'm so honored to hear that.  When people send me fan mail, it encourages me and motivates me to do my best.  I'm just trying to make it, myself!

Stay tuned for part 2 of this interview. In the meantime, you can find the latest news about Roxanne Modafferi on her personal blog.

View alexia's Profile

• Filed Under:  
• Boxing, Martial Arts, MMA, Inspiration, Sexism