subMISSion is a website dedicated to the female martial arts fighter, practitioner, competitor, instructor, and all-around enthusiast.
Throughout history, women warriors have been fighting alongside men on battlefields across the world. From the Amazons to Queen Artemesia, women have fought fiercely and bravely through the ages.
Women can fight, train, teach and cheer on a fight as well as men can. So why do we get scouffed at? THIS STOPS NOW!
We are re-inventing the phrase "FIGHT LIKE A GIRL!" And it starts here.
08.19.10
Bellator 25 - Bellator Season 2 Welterweight Tournament runner-up Dan Hornbuckle will look to return to his winning ways following a June defeat suffered in the tournament championship when he faces off against the hard-hitting UFC veteran "Bad" Brad Blackburn at the historic Chicago Theatre on Aug. 19th as a special feature fight at Bellator 25.
08.22.10
Budofights 2: Evolution, at the Midtown located in Downtown Bend. Spend a hot summer weekend in Bend and enjoy Lance Wipf (Shock MMA in Vegas) vs. Ryan Healy (Teamquest, Portland). Also 10 amateur fights. Special guest appearance by Jon "Guns" Gunderson, rising star in UFC who hails from Central Oregon. Weigh-ins at the Midtown, 7 pm, Fri 8/21. Afterparty at the Midtown. Special MMA seminar to be put on by UFC fighter Pat Healy and UFC fighter Jon Gunderson, on Sunday, Aug. 22 from 11 am - 1 pm. $30. See budofights.com for details.
08.28.10
UFC 118 - After a back-and-forth instant classic at UFC® 112 in April, which saw Frankie Edgar shock the mixed martial arts world and take the UFC lightweight strap from around BJ Penns waist, the two will square off again live from the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.
Also on this card, its The UFC versus Boxing as Randy The Natural Couture takes on boxing legend James Lights Out Toney as Toney makes his mixed martial arts debut. Plus Rousimar Palhares takes on Nate Marquardt, and Gray Maynard and Kenny Florian battle for the next top lightweight contender spot.
BACK TO FIGHTERS
Every story has beginning. How did you get started in the martial arts?
My start was actually in amateur boxing when I was 13. I also cross trained with Tae Kwon Do at the time. Then I was on the wrestling team in Jr. High and High School. I met my MMA coach at 14 at my boxing gym, where they use to do exhibitions of Jiu Jitsu at the boxing matches and I was always interested. But my coach expected us to only do boxing. He was a purest. My boxing coach moved out of town that year and I joined the only gym that had any heavybags, speedbags, and ran into another purest coach. Wwell my future MMA coach ended up joining the same gym. So I started asking about full contact training/fighting and he told me they trained at a local high school in the wrestling room so I tried it out. Well, the purest boxing coach found out and literally kicked me out of the gym. It was winter and I had no coat and left walking with not even a quarter to make a phone call. I was in tears, walking down the road when my friend's brother saw me and picked me up. From then on, I trained MMA. It was a long road and I did the normal teenage crap like rebelling, drinking, running away, but I always had the gym to go back to. So since I was 13, I trained off and on, I got a degree, had a kid, bought a house, in between all of it. I've been straight training for over 4 years now.
What made you want to compete professionally?
I had no choice between pro and ammy. There were no amatuer MMA fights for women that I knew of 4 years ago and personally, if your ready to fight, then your ready to be paid. We have no amateurs at my gym. It was always a dream to be a pro fighter, to fight in Vegas and around the world. I worked hard enough that I've manifested my dream. Thoughts become things!
Every fighter has a driving force, a motivation, behind them. What or who is your motivation?
My daughter, my family, my team. I've always had a die trying attitude and MMA is the only thing that's kept my attention and challenged me to challenge myself. , My grandparents raised me part of my life because my mother was a heroin addict, so I ALWAYS wanted to make them proud! And I want to impress God!
What do you focus on the most when training for an upcoming fight, and why?
Winning. Winning. And...Winning. I visualize my hand being raised. I don't let any fear or negative emotions come into my mind. I believe in visualization to the MAX, because if you go there in the mind you will go there in the body. Some really famous smart guy said that once. I think his named was Einstein or something.
You've won four of your fights by submission. Is that your favorite way of finishing a fight?
I guess it is based on history. I'd like to exhibit my stand up game more. But for some reason when I'm in the cage, I feel real comfortable on the ground. Everytime I have submitted someone, I remember thinking "there is no way. It is not going to be this easy." And I almost didn't go for the submission. Nonetheless, I did and the fight was over. Pretty surreal!
You're in the Ultimate Women Challenge coming to NBC. What does that mean to you as a fighter?
I'm blessed to have the opportunity to bring Womens MMA into the mainstream! I promise to represent girls! I've tried to stay classy in every situation. And I hope that prevails, because mainstream America needs to know that it's not human cockfighting . That we have very diverse backgrounds from all walks of life from single moms to millionaires.
What do you think it will do for Women's MMA?
It will do for WMMA what the first Ultimate Fighter reality show did for MMA. It will explode! Hopefully we won't be pushed to the back of the line in the professional athlete world any more! We will be getting paid and endorsements like the other athletes. MMA is growing for the men and this will push us up close to them. Women fights are always more exciting than mens...ALWAYS!!!! So now the rest of the world gets to see it...primetime, network television status.
Out of all your fights, is there one that you remember the most?
My second fight with Jessica Aguilar! She had huddled up with both referees, before her fight. They prayed, then hugged and kissed her on the cheek. Right then I knew I was screwed. And to add insult to injury my coach wasn't there. His flight was cancelled so I had no corner. The ref lied and said I verbally submitted when the tides had turned in the 3rd round. I have ongoing legal ventures with the Boxing Commision in Florida to get that ref expelled for life! I felt so violated. So screwed over! It was a horrible experience and hopefully the worst I'll deal with. I hope that doesn't happen to anyone else. I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. I got the ulimate redemption when I beat her in Jan. 09
Is there anyone you want to fight?
That's a great question. I wished I weighed more! But Im scheduled to fight Rosi in April She is my favorite fighter. What a classy woman! I'm very honored for the opportunity!
Name:
Angela Magana
Record:
8 - 4 - 0 (Win - Loss - Draw)
Height:
5 Feet. 4 Inch(es).
Weight:
120 lbs.
Out of:
La Plata, NM
How did you get started in the martial arts?
Well my now husband, Randall began with traditional Martial Arts - Tae Kwon Do - and was always picking on me and beating me up, so I got tired of it and started going to class with him. I found a passion for it and that's when we decided to take it serious and start fighting.
Well I had no intention of going pro at first. I had just won my last amateur fight against Kari Ricker (Hammer House) and defended my title when everyone began asking when I wanted to go pro. Then I heard about The GFIGHT Grand Prix at 115 and how there would never be one again so I thought I needed to take the opportunity. My sponsor Tussle helped get me in the tourney and then it was official. I also went pro due to the economy. Randall and I used to own a paint company but painting is such a cosmetic line of work that with the recession people didn't need it much anymore, so we closed our business in December of 2008. Unfortunately there isn't a whole lot of money in womens MMA or MMA for that matter so it is a slow process working your way up but I love ALMOST every minute of it!
When training for an upcoming fight, what do you do for strength conditioning?
Well it depends on the fight really. Usually I do a lot of isometric training, push ups, sit ups, pull ups, etc. I do a TON of road work. We do a lot of tire flips, car pushes, wheelbarrows, and rope climbs. I do a lot of lifting, different muscle groups for different days. Also we do a lot of resistance training.
How about endurance and cardio?
My husband is one tough coach! I feel like I don't live a single day without doing the most intense cardio of my life! It's like one day is so hard I'm like, "Oh nothing could be harder then this!" and then he creates some new crazy outrageous Cardio drill or curcuit! We do about 1-2 hours of the freakin' hardest cardio 5-6 days a week. We do jumping jacks that are combined with sprawls, burpies, high jumps, hurtles, fast feet, hand combos, kicks, push ups, and a nice cool down of sit ups. You would never think that 15 minutes of jumping jacks could be so intense but he makes you do everything non stop plus do 3 rounds of it! We do a lot of curcuit training with bags and hand pads as well as ground and pound bags.
Any nutrition advice?
Brown rice, veggies, and chicken or fish. Eat that 4 times a day in small portions and you will make weight like butter! Drink ONLY water and once and a while a sports drink with some sugar, sodium, and electrolites. Other then that I suck with nutrition because I prefer burgers and shakes!!!
How much weight do you typically have to drop for a fight and how do you do it?
Well I walk anywhere from 123-128lbs. and I typically fight at 115 or 120lbs. so at most about 13 lbs. but I try to stay low cause I HATE cutting weight! When I do have to cut though I begin dieting about 3-6 weeks before my fight get to about 3 pounds over weight and then wear my suana suit when I train or run. I also love sitting in the suana so I do that a lot so my body is used to losing that water and replenishing it properly!
What do you like to do after a fight?
If the fight is in town we usually get together with the whole team and party it up in the gym, win or loss, beat up or beautiful. We all work so hard for fights that it's nice to get to just sit back have a drink and get loud! If it's out of town we either party with other fighters or randall me and whoever is cornering usually hit the town we are in and have a good time! Either way it always ends up becoming drunkin' technique hour! Then after that night it is always back to reality, and reality is the cage, so the next day depending on the battle wounds it's back to the gym for light training. Then after about a week it's just like aways, HARD WORK!!!
You're in the Ultimate Women Challenge coming to NBC. Why is it important to you to be a part of this show?
Well I think that this show will bring FeMMA to a new audience. MMA itself has a following by many who think they are MMA gurus and many MMA gurus think that Womens MMA isn't worth their time. I think this show would attract a far more diverse audience from the soccer mom to your grandpa because it is on an NBC station. It's like Strikeforce on CBS so many people that would never watch MMA, let alone pay to watch it are being exposed to something that draws interest by many by just viewing it once. I think this show will increase FeMMA popularity and also show how hard we do work on top of being wifes, and mothers. This sport means so much to me and if this show is successful I think it could completely turn Woman's MMA around for the better!
What do you like to do outside of MMA?
I like to build drift cars with my husband. Particularly Nissan Z cars any year, 240-370, I love them all! I also love animals I have 4 dogs, 2 are Pitbulls. In Colorado and many other states they like to pass legislation that bans dogs by breed. In Colorado American Pitbull Terriers are illegal in 4+ cities. My husband and I fight to stop breed specific legislation because all animals deserve to have a home and be cared for not treated like vicious criminals. Blame the deed not the breed!!!!
Who are some of your favorite fighters?
Gegard Mousasi, Vitor Belfort, Andrei Arlovski, Miike Brown, Sakaraba, Megumi Fuji, Cris Santos, and Shayna Bazsler
Tell us about your gym and why you train there.
We are a small team that is steadly growing. We come out of the Pressroom. We train 36-50 hours a week together in all disciplines. We are building a gym up from nothing and it is really coming along! I stand behind everyone that comes out of Team Rugburn. We know when your ready physically, you know when your ready mentally and I feel like that is what makes our team work successfully. No one gets in that ring prematurely, plain and simple. No pressure and no meat head mentality is what we stand for. I believe this will be a highly evolved team one day! I train here because we are a family, I've been to a ton of gyms and nowhere do I feel more comfortable and loved then Team Rugburn we all push one another and the competition is all friendly!
What would you say to the little girls out there that want to pursue martial arts?
DO IT, it will change your life!!! You will become strong and confident as well as a better person. Martial Arts makes you learn so much about yourself on the inside it's unreal! You will be so intuned with your body and mind that nothing can stop you!
Lacey Schuckman
3 - 2 - 0 (Win - Loss - Draw)
5 Feet. 3 Inch(es).
Lakewood, CO
What first sparked your interest in the martial arts?
A friend introduced me to the sport by giving me tickets to see MMA fights live. I fell in love with it and here I am today!
Tell us what it's like training at American Top Team.
To have the top level coaches and ultimate sparring partners [gives me] edge over my competition. It's inspiring to train with such a great team.
Conditioning is the key to any fighter's success, but depending on my opponent, I may do a bit more ground or standup.
You've won 4 out of your 6 wins by submission. Is that your favorite way of finishing a fight?
I love jiu-jitsu and the submission is the ultimate high, so yes. But I also love the ground and pound stoppages too.
What's the best and worst part about fight day?
The fight day is the easiest part. It's the training that's hard. The worst thing is the waiting for the fight.
What music do play to get pumped for a fight?
Eminem and DMX.
It's a chance to increase people's awareness of how serious women take training. Just like men. I'm excited to educate the fans on the passion and commitment women have made to the sport.
Where do you see yourself after the show and where would you like to be?
I want BIG fights in BIG shows for BIG money.
Have you ever been knocked out?
Never!
What sets you apart from other fighters?
My determination and mind.
Family, art, acting and charity.
Would you like to say anything to your family, friends or fans?
My family doesn't know I fight, but to friends and fans - thank you for always believing and supporting!
Jessica Aguilar
6 - 3 - 0 (Win - Loss - Draw)
Coconut Creek, FL
How did you first get involved in the martial arts?
I got involved with Martial Arts at first as a hobby. Brandon started training Muay Thai and then asked me to come train with him, more so for fitness. After he moved to the West Coast, I continued to pursue the sport and evolved into a Muay Thai fighter soon after.
I train at Alliance MMA in Chula Vista, CA. As for why I train there, the evidence is across the UFC, the WEC, Strikeforce, Bellator and many more organizations. Alliance definitely is THE place for fighters who are looking for the best training possible, with world class athletes, great training partners and the best coaches who can take you to the next level in your training, its bar none the best training facility.
There are many aspects that factor into and become a part of your training to make you the best MMA fighter time and time again in the cage, however, if there were one thing that I've focused on repeatedly in my last few fights its been my weight. I cut down to fight at 130 and so making sure that weight is coming off in a healthy way has definitely been a focal point.
The best part about fight day is obviously the win but also that you can eat again. The worst part is having to train again on Monday to work off what you ate after the fight!
Do you think being a southpaw gives you an advantage?
Being a Southpaw, especially as a female, has proven to be an advantage in my previous fights. Sort of an element of surprise for some opponents, making it hard for them to find their rhythm against me.
What do you do after a fight?
HAHA, I EAT!!!! I definitely LOVE to eat. Again, I have to cut down to fight at the lower weights so when the gloves come off after the fight, they're definitely being replaced with a spoon and a fork!
I believe that having a platform such as NBC gives women's MMA more exposure and it being a reality show will enable the public to understand the struggles women go through as a fighter from a female perspective. For me, its a chance as a female and as a fighter to be represented while showcasing my skills; its a great opportunity.
What do you know about your opponents on the show?
I don't know too much about the other women on the show other than they are very talented women in their own right, each bringing ambition and looking for the win just as I am.
Fighting for myself has always been a hobby and its paid off for me in some regard, as with this show. However, its a always been a Plan B for me with my primary focus being on my education. And hopefully this show will enable me to further my aspiration of becoming a lawyer by giving me some cheddah, cuz "cheddah make everything bettah" - thanks Rampage!
What would you say to those that think women should not be in martial arts?
What do you say to any person that you come against and doesn't believe in you? Not much, you just keep pushing forward and let your work speak for itself. At the end of the day, they'll still be gripping about why women shouldn't be in MMA but with the Cyborgs, the Gina Caranos and the Kerry Vera's, they'll be silenced soon enough, if they haven't shut up already, respectfully.
Michelle Vera
1 - 0 - 0 (Win - Loss - Draw)
5 Feet. 7 Inch(es).
130 lbs.
Chula Vista, CA
