Through The Cage - From the outside looking in...

Fresh off the plane from Sunny San Jose, California MMA fighter Felice Herrig took time out of her busy training schedule to answer some interview questions for Through The Cage. Felice attended Carano vs. Cyborg live and provided some insight on Woman’s MMA, as well as her career as a female fighter.

TTC: How old were you when you got into martial arts, and what sparked your interest?

FH: I grew up watching my Dad train in Martial arts. Combat Sports were the only sports my Dad was ever interested in. It was something I had always wanted to do. When I was 18 my brother in law taught at a martial arts school and told me to come in for a kickboxing class. I went in, saw all the guys training for an upcoming fight and from day one I said, "I'm going to be a fighter" I had my first fight a few months later and have been fighting ever since.

TTC: Where do you train and what is your training regimen/diet when preparing to fight, do you have trouble making weight?

FH: I have been with my boxing coach, Shannon States pretty much since I started fighting. I work with him at the Elgin Boxing gym. He is responsible for most of my conditioning and cardio training and he keeps my hands sharp. As for MMA, I train out of Midwest training center in Schaumburg, Illinois. I wouldn’t say I have trouble making weight. I have never failed to make weight, but it’s not something I enjoy. I’m very regimented when it comes to my eating habits, and being a female it's a lot harder to cut weight then it is for the guys. I’ve seen guys cut 20 pounds 3 days before a fight. As for how I cut weight for fights...well that’s kind of my little secret.

 

TTC: How did you get the nickname Lil’ Bulldog?

FH: I believe that nicknames need to be earned. I've seen a lot of fighters go into the ring/Cage the first time and already have a nickname. My nickname was given to me based on my fighting style, which is why it sticks in peoples mind. I am a very aggressive and relentless fighter. I go in for blood and I don't stop. Back when I was amateur, and training for a fight my coach said, “Felice Your like a bulldog you just keep going forward and you don't stop, But we need to teach you to fight moving back to." and my boyfriend at the time said, "yeah your like a bulldog, but a Lil Bulldog" and the name has stuck with me ever since.

TTC: How do you feel about the level of talent in women’s MMA, is there more talent overseas or in the US?

FH: I think there's a lot of talent overseas, like in Japan. MMA is also a popular sport in Japan. Right now MMA is the fastest growing sport. It’s just in these past few years that it really became big for the males and it's slowly getting up there for the females as well. I think there are a lot of talented female fighters out there, people just don't know about us yet. Why would they? The most popular and well known male fighters are the one's who fight in the UFC, and there are no girls in the UFC. It will take a lot longer for us to get recognized because we aren't exposed like the men and don't have as many opportunities to fight like the men do.  

TTC: Washington Redskin’s Tight End Chris Cooley made the following comment after seeing you fight at UWC: Man O’ War “The third fight was a girl fight, which was awesome! The ugly girl (Iman Achhal) got here face swollen all up and the hot one got her red panties pressed up against the cage the whole time.” Do you think it will be a problem getting people to recognize you for your skills instead of your looks in the fight world?

FH: NO. I train my ass off. I think I get a lot of respect as a fighter. If people think I'm hot that’s great. I can't complain about that. But I do take my training and fighting very seriously. All you have to do is see me fight to know that I mean business. If my looks help get me out there and help showcase my fighting then so be it. Anyone who just recognizes me as a "pretty face" obviously hasn't seen me fight. Some of the pretty girl fighters are just a pretty face and they use the whole “hey I'm a fighter look at me" I'm not that girl... I'm here to show people that I can fight. And who doesn't like watching a hot girl beat up another chick?????

TTC: You attended the Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg, what was the turnout, do you think the fight was a milestone for woman’s MMA?

FH: There was a huge turnout at this event. The fight was in San Jose, and I believe the arena held 18,000 people. The place was packed. This fight definitely did a lot for woman in MMA.

There was a lot of hype about this fight, and I think it will show promoters that girls are exciting too and people want to see us fight. For females in MMA it's only up from here.

TTC: Are you currently involved with someone, and are they or your family supportive of your fight career? 

FH: No right now I'm really focusing on career and my fighting. Relationships take a lot of work and a lot of time, which I don't always have. I'm not opposed to a relationship but it's not something I'm looking for right now. If it happens it happens. But right now my career is my boyfriend.My family is very supportive of me fighting. They are the ones who see day in and day out what I have to go through and the sacrifices that I make. And they are there by my side no matter what. I have enough people to fight with when it comes to my career, it’s nice to have my family around that just support me and always have my back no matter what. It would be really hard if I had to fight them too and try to explain what I’m doing and why I’m doing it. A fighter can't really describe why they have the desire to fight. It's just something that comes from within.

TTC: Who or what is your biggest enemy/challenge?

FH: Myself, and my mind. I'm a very disciplined person. When I do something I put my whole heart in it and go all out 100% I make many sacrifices to fight, I gave up my career, I give up my social life, my dating life, all I do is train, My life is so regimented, with my diet and my training. And if I slip up one time and eat too much or want to go out and have a drink with my friend its eats away at me. I feel like I’m not being disciplined enough. Right now I'm really trying to find that balance in my life that I need. I love fighting but I put so much pressure on myself. I want to be able to live my life a little too without the guilt.

TTC: You’re involved in a few endeavors outside the ring such as the video log on chicagosmma.com, Fight Girls, and Combatwire. Where else can fans find you, and are you on Twitter or Facebook?

FH: When it comes to fighting I do it all. I like to keep the fans informed as much as possible. I now have a facebook, and I just set up a twitter account http://twitter.com/feliceherrig (right now I’m just learning how to use it so bare with me for a while) I do video blogs for chicagosmma.com and just recently started blogging for fighthype.com, and I have an upcoming reality show called "Ultimate Women Challenge". I've got a lot going on. Between ms pace, facebook, twitter and my blogs it shouldn't be too hard to keep up with my career. And I really hope that everyone does because the continued support is what keeps me doing what I love to do.

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