Marissa Caldwell Talks NAAFS Eve of Destruction
Marissa Caldwell Talks NAAFS Eve of Destruction
Courtesy: ProFighting-Fans.com
Pro Fighting Fans staff writer Curt Heinrichs continues his coverage of the NAAFS and Northeast Ohio MMA as we prepare for the NAAFS to promote the first-ever all-women’s MMA event on September 18, 2010 in Akron, OH. The main event for the Eve of Desctruction fight card will feature a classic Cleveland vs. Cincinnati battle as Cleveland’s Jessica “Evil” Eye faces Cincinnati’s Marissa “Shorty” Caldwell. Pro Fighting Fans’ coverage of the September 18 Eve of Destruction event begins with an interview with Marissa Caldwell (2-1) as she prepares for the fight with Eye (1-0). Curt’s interview with Caldwell is below:
CH – Women’s MMA is just getting started and the average fan is just becoming familiar with some of the big-named fighters. What brought you to MMA and what made you become a fighter?
MC – I watched lots of UFC fights growing up, in the early days of the sport. I was enthralled by Royce Gracie, and how he could win several fights in one night. I heard about a combative arts club at NKU ( Northern Kentucky University), which was essentially a jiu jitsu club. I took lots of buttkickings and fell in love with the sport. Eventually, I found Vision MMA and trained there for a while. Eventually, Rod Housley told me that I should start training to fight, and I began to work on my striking. I have been training MMA for about a year now and I have been doing jiu jitsu for about 4½ years now.
CH – If you weren’t a fighter, what other career path would you have taken?
MC – I was in school for nursing, before my money ran out. If it weren’t for MMA, I would probably be a nurse, but I have an interest in arts, so I am not really sure where I would be.
CH – What is your background, and in what aspect of your game do you feel most comfortable?
MC – Jiu jitsu is my home for sure. I do men’s divisions in tournaments from time to time, so I feel most comfortable on the ground. I have put lots of work into my stand-up game, so I feel comfortable there too, but not as comfortable as on the ground.
CH – Your only loss as a professional has come at the hands of Jan Finney. What did you feel that you have learned from that loss?
MC – First off, I learned that I need to be smarter about the fights I take early on in my career. I fought January at 145lbs and I was walking around at about 147 for the fight. Jan was a lot bigger and stronger than I was and it showed in the fight. I actually had an armbar in against her, but I couldn’t finish it. She was a tough fight for me so early in my career, so I definitely need to be aware of where I am at as a fighter and make steady jumps in competition. Jan is a really tough fighter, and even though I lost, I feel like I did some good things in the fight and I am proud of those accomplishments.
CH – In your upcoming fight for the NAAFS, you are the main event bout in the first-ever all women’s MMA fight card in the state of Ohio. Do you feel that you are an inspiration to other girls that want to become a fighter? Who do you look up to as a fighter?
MC – I have lots of young girls that are fans. They message me on Facebook and ask me when my next fight is and wish me luck. I would rather have young, passionate fans at my fights than have a huge crowd.
As far as people that I look up to, I really look up to anyone that has put in the time and dedication to be the best fighter they can be. I actually looked up to Jan Finney before we fought. I saw her training with Jorge Gurgel and was really impressed with how hard she trains. I had to put that aside when we stepped in the cage. I am not a fan of those fighters that seem to fight for fame and money. I really like those who work hard at what they do.
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