WMMA

WOMEN’S MIXED MARTIAL ARTS WMMA

FEATURE ON THE HISTORY OF WOMEN’S MIXED MARTIAL ARTS

REIGN SUPREME

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REASONS TO START TRAINING A MARTIAL ART

MICHELLE WATERSON MOTHER BY DAY FIGHTER BY NIGHT

UN-OFFICIAL ISSUE: 1 FEB 2017 FREE

From Brazil came Vale Tudo, a full contact combat sport, which was the forerunner to mixed martial arts, MMA. Vale Tudo loosely translates into English as ‘Anything Goes’.

ANYTHING GOES As you can imagine the history of womens MMA is not as extensive in comparison to mens MMA or the likes of any other combat sport.

However, it is popular with pay per view sales, magazines and publicity sky rocketing.

PROMOTIONS

The first real promotions providing opportunities for women fighters, to name a few, included Smackgirl, Strikeforce, EliteXC, Shooto, HOOKnSHOOT, Bellator, and Cage Warriors. These all became popular in and around the ‘90s and ‘00s. Not all of these promotions still exist, such as EliteXC, Smackgirl and Strikeforce.

Strikeforce was bought out in 2011 by an american sports promotion called Zuffa LLC who up until recently owned the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

ROUSEY VS CARMOUCHE In 2013 we saw Ronda Rousey face off with Liz Carmouche, both previously Strikeforce fighters. This was the first women’s bout in the UFC, for the bantamweight title.

This was a major stepping stone for women’s MMA, as the UFC generally had gained a lot of popularity over the last 24 years from its start in 1993.

Allthough there were a lot of female fights previously in other promotions, arguably none really gained as much headway as the UFC, with Rousey becoming the company’s poster girl.

Rousey is revered for her hyper aggressive fighting style, lightning fast finishes and do or die attitude.

Her winning combination of elite level judo and marketable personality saw her transcend the sport, and become a fast rising star within the mainstream. Appearing globally on chat shows, magazine covers, movies and video games, She is often credited as being the single most important figure in bringing women’s mixed martial arts into the spotlight.

With this purchase of Strikeforce by the UFC many fighters contracts were either abolished or renewed within the UFC in around 2013.

This takeover saw the likes of Ronda Rousey, MeishaTate, Alexis Davis, Liz Carmouche and Cat Zingano making up the first female roster within the brand new UFC women’s bantamweight division.

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BANTAMWEIGHT

Today Invicta FC, is a pioneering contributor to women’s MMA creating professional fighting opportunities for female fighters across 6 weight categories. The organisation, established in 2012, has continued to rise in popularity offering many fight cards throughout the year. Finding the best opponents and fights for women martial artists worldwide.

DID YOU KNOW

HISTORY OF WOMEN’S MMA

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FIGHTER PROFILE

AGE: 36 HEIGHT: 5’5” WEIGHT: 135 LBS RECORD: 14-4-0 FIGHTS OUT OF: JACKSON-WINK MMA CLASS: BANTAMWEIGHT

Julie Kedzie is a true pioneer of women’s MMA, with a professional record of 29 fights, over a period of 9 years. She has been training martial arts since she was 4 years old. Hook n shoot was the first promotion she fought under and became champion in, within a year. Kedzie is well known for her tremendous fights against legends Gina Carano and Tara LaRosa. 2005 saw kedzie win the Hook’N’Shoot womens grand prix which consisted of 3 fights in one night. With a passion to fight and a competitive mind set she really is an inspiring role model.

Kedzie landing a significant head kick against Bethe Correia but not quite enough to win the fight. Correia won this fight via split decision and this was to be the last fight before Julie retired.

After retiring from professional fighting Kedzie knew she wasn’t done with the sport completely. She took a job working for Invicta FC, matchmaking fights.

Kedzie says in an interview with Guilherme Cruz “So I’m going to be taking on the role as matchmaker of the company, going to work hoping to help developing the careers of other female fighters. Bring them up to the sports, get them the attention they deserve and hopefully promote the sport a little bit on the sidelines...” (2013)

FIREBALL

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JULIE KEDZIE

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why the hell not

Being a young female training martial arts, the question I hear the most is; why should I start training? This is something I questionned myself when I first started Brazilian JiuJitsu (BJJ) and my answer has always been the same: why the hell not.

I mean, it is a scary thing being any gender walking into a gym for the first time. But that is the biggest step. Once you put your foot through the door that is it. You enter into a whole different world of a sport that will probably blow your mind and get you hooked. To start practicing a martial art I feel that firstly you need an open mind. Most people, including myself at the beginning, worry about being in shape and really fit before they start to train.

But it really does not matter what fitness level you begin with, because it will only improve through training.

reign supreme

Expect that when you step on the mat to spar for the first time, there may be those whose ego can not handle the thought of being shown up by a girl.

These people are usually always the exception, not the rule. Progression in BJJ requires respect, control and frequent ego checks in the quest for perfect technique. Grapplers are typically concious beings who like to look out for their training partners. You may find that the huge gorilla with gnarled ears becomes your favourite roll (spar) in the gym. Remember, in the world of fighting, technique will always reign supreme.

Girls, this is for you. Something that always makes me laugh when I think about the first time I tried grappling. I knew I probably would not spar at the end, so I left a full face of make up on. When I left anybody would have thought I’d spent the evening in tears. Definitely not the best look to go for.

Also, this seems like quite an obvious one but keep your nails trimmed.

Long nails can be torn off, as well as causing cuts to both you and your training partners.

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keep an open mind

not the best look

WHY START TRAINING ? ask the coach

Most importantly, don’t feel like you have to commit to buying all the brand new gear after one session! Borrow for the first few sessions; someone is usually more than happy to lend you what you need. If not, ask the coach.

Be sure this is something your really enjoying and that your going to keep up for a while before you commit to that £200 gi or those pricey gloves.

Ask around and research online for suggestions on where to train and what equipment to buy first. You will be quite surprised at how much free information is out there and who knows what.

In most towns and especially cities there are usually many different opportunies to practice a martial art. Finding the right martial arts gym for you is just like finding the right pair of shoes in a shop. You find something that makes you feel comfortable, is affordable, and that makes you want to wear them out again and again. The right gym for you is a place where you feel at home, a place that you look forward to going to again and again. Visit a few different places before commiting to any payments or contracts.

As they say; try before you buy.

don’t be scared

try before you buy

Training any combat sport will give you a rush and a high that you can’t quite explain and one you’ll never forget. Give the gym a call first, get up off the sofa, don’t be scared and get down to your local dojo. You will love it; and if you don’t that is fine. At least you can say you’ve tried it!

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ARMBAR FROM MOUNT

STEP 1 Starting in mount, your oponent will likey extend there arms straight to push you away. Next you then need to decide which arm you have your sights set on.

STEP 4 Making sure your grip is tight on the arm and your knees are nipped together around the arm. Slide down your opponents back slowly keeping everything tight.

STEP 2 Use a overhook on the chosen arm by grabbing the top of the bicep. Pull the arm in a sidewards angle towards your shoulder whilst keeping a firm grip. Keep one foot close to the ribs and stomach and your other leg securing the back, preventing your oponent from easily moving away.

STEP 5 To ensure the pressure attacks the elbow joint, make sure you are holding the wrist close to your body and thumb of your oponent facing away from you. Crossing your feet enables you to lock the arm down more and makes it harder to escape. This is usually adapted by higher belts in BJJ.

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STEP 3

STEP 6

Keeping a tight hold of the chosen arm, use your other hand to push down on the face. Be wary of placing your hand on the face in BJJ, as this is not allowed in competitions.

Whilst evenly balancing your weight on your oponent, replace your hand with your other foot on the floor.

Pinch your knees together tight, trapping down the arm, whilst pushing down and away with your feet. Slowly raise your hips away from the floor, keeping the wrist locked thumb onto your chest.

This sounds like a lot all at once but start drilling it and you’ll soon become a pro.

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K A T R H A E T E

H O T T I E

WHEN AND WHY MICHELLE STARTED TRAINING FOR FIGHTING RANKS AND TITLES HELD HEROES

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What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? A dream come true.

Being in the UFC I will be able to display myheart, soul, and determination for the world to see.

It is a platform that will allow me to inspire others to go after their dreams and to be a good role model for my daughter.

At the age of 19 waterson began her amateur career. She was hooked on martial arts from a young age was and wants to be well-rounded fighter in every aspect. The thrill and challenge MMA presents is what got michelle hooked and she states in interviews she hasn’t looked back since.

Invicta FC atomweight champion

In many interviews Michelle always says “my husband is my hero because he believes in and supports everything I do.”

“He sacrifices a lot for our family to be happy.” (UFC, 2015)

AGE: 31 HEIGHT: 5’3” WEIGHT: 115 LBS RECORD: 14-4-0 FIGHTS OUT OF: JACKSON-WINK MMA NEW MEXICO WEIGHT CLASS: STRAWWEIGHT

The above image is Michelle celebrating with husband Joshua after her victorious first round win over Paige Van Zant.

To not only become a female fighter in a very male dominated sport, but to juggle the life of being a parent is a massive inspiration. Waterson shows us that anything is possible when you set your mind to it. Waterson says in an interesting documentary called ‘Fight Mom’ that adapting the ‘momma bear’ attitude feeling like she needs to protect her daughter, allows her to tap into a chanelled fighting instinct in her fights.

did you know

FIGHTER PROFILE

MICHELLE WATERSON

Waterson was back fighting in the cage only 10 months after giving birth to her daughter Araya.

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TEST YOURSELF Find out how much you know about women’s mixed martial arts. The majority of the answers to this crossword are featured throughout this zine. If you want to learn more the others will lead you to interesting facts surrounding combat sports.

ACROSS 2

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8. What does Vale Tudo roughly translate into english as?

10. First mum to ever fight in the UFC. 11. In 2012 what was the final Olympic discipline to contain divisions for both male and female competitors?

12. Whilst performing a successful armbar what do you need to make sure is facing away from you?

13. How many different weight categories does Invicta FC have?

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DOWN

1. All female fighting championship.

2. Last name of the first American woman to take home Gold at the World Judo Championships. Mother of Ronda Rousey.

3.Who did Zuffa LLC buy out in 2011?

4. First female weight class in the UFC. 5. Who was the first female megastar in the UFC? 6. What female singer used Ronda Rousey’s ‘do nothing bitch’ speech as a response to people body shaming her for appearing too masculine?

7. How long was it before Michelle Waterson was back in the ring after giving birth?

9. First name of the UFC’s first female European title holder?

This page is optimised so you can fill in the blanks.

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Thanks for reading WMMA Please send any questions or feedback to: aimee.wmma@gmail.com Aimee Stevens Visual Communication Leeds College Of Art

Answers: 1.Invicta, 2.DeMars, 3.Strikeforce, 4.Bantamweight, 5.RondaRousey, 6.Beyonce, 7.Tenmonths, 8.Anything goes, 9.Joanna, 10.Cat Zingano, 11.Boxing, 12.Thumb, 13.Six.