Roxanne Modafferi
Interview by Robert Sargent
Seeking an imminent return to competition from her home in Kanagawa, Japan, multi-time world champion Roxanne Modafferi speaks with MMARising.com about her career accomplishments to date and her aspirations to debut for Strikeforce.
As an American-born and trained fighter living in Japan, Roxanne has a very unique background, but she uses her time away from MMA to educate those around her. Teaching English to students in Japan on a full-time basis, Roxanne still finds time to be one of the very best female fighters in mixed martial arts. Already the holder of numerous championships, and having once been the #1-ranked female fighter in the world, Roxanne now has her sights set on competing among the elite in the Strikeforce 135-pound women's division.
MMARising.com: Hi, Roxanne. Thank you for taking time out for this interview. As you are a student of many martial arts disciplines, what was it that first sparked your interest in combat sports?
Roxanne Modafferi: The Power Rangers first got me interested in fighting. "Beat up the bad guys" sounded pretty good, but after I started Tae Kwon Do, I found that I loved it and tried many disciplines after that.
MMARising.com: Prior to making your debut in MMA, you had trained in Tae Kwon Do, Kempo Karate, Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and also became the North American Grappling Association (NAGA) Fighter of the Year in 2002. How important was it to your MMA career to have such an extensive background in each discipline?
Roxanne: I'd say that I developed personally and spiritually through all of those experiences. I met many people and learned many things, but as far as training goes, I don't think that Tae Kwon Do helped my kickboxing ability. However, Judo and jiu-jitsu became my "backbone," so to speak, and shape my current style.
MMARising.com: When you were training early in your career, did you ever see yourself becoming as successful of a fighter as you are now?
Roxanne: Let's say that my "career" started as soon as I decided that I wanted to try MMA, which was my Freshman year of college. By then, I had gone from Tae Kwon Do to Kempo, back to Tae Kwon Do, then to Judo to BJJ to grappling/kickboxing. As soon as I decided that I wanted to fight pro, I also decided that I needed to set a goal. The highest goals that I could think of were: A) being the first woman to fight in the UFC, and B) to beat every single woman in the world. Now, who knows where women's MMA is going? Maybe the UFC isn't the best place for women? Maybe it is the future?
MMARising.com: You have one of the most unique backgrounds of anyone in the sport today, as you were born and raised in the United States but now live and train in Japan. Do you still teach English to Japanese students or have you made a full-time transition to MMA competition?
Roxanne: I still teach English to Japanese students full-time, and do my best to train MMA as much as a professional would. I think that the only woman who can actually earn a living in MMA is Gina Carano right now.
MMARising.com: As part of the respected Wajyutsu Keisyukai network of gyms in Japan, your teammates include Yushin "Thunder" Okami, Keita "K-Taro" Nakamura and fellow female standout Takayo Hashi, as well as many other talented competitors. Which fighters do you train with most often and whom would you consider to be your closest friends at the gym?
Roxanne: I used to train with them way more than lately. To be honest, Okami is no fun to train with because he's twice my height and weight, so he sits on me and just laughs. K-Taro is always fun to train with. He's an excellent teacher, and once he takes your back, it's all over. He's trying to learn English, and we've hung out a few times. Hashi is probably one of the strongest women in the dojo, but she is always walking in just as I'm walking out, so we don't train together that much.
My best friend and the person I train the most with is Sakura, who is a "freshman," so to speak. She just had her second pro fight. I'm building my own training partner, which is a challenge in and of itself, especially when having to teach MMA in Japanese. Also, another fighter I look to for advice is former Shooto Champ Hideki Kadowaki.
MMARising.com: After making your pro MMA debut in late 2003, you picked up three straight wins and were then set to face your toughest test to date – and the toughest test possible at the time – against Jennifer Howe at HOOKnSHOOT: "Evolution" in November of 2004. When you first heard that you would be fighting Jennifer, what were your initial thoughts?
Roxanne: I had no idea who she was. It was presented jokingly to me, actually. I'd e-mailed promoter Jeff Osborne, telling him that I wanted to get on the card. He said he'd try to find me an opponent who had similar experience (I was 3-0). "You wouldn't fight Jennifer Howe or anything, hahaha," he said. However, her opponent cancelled and I jumped at the chance.
MMARising.com: As Jennifer was the #1-ranked female fighter in the world at the time, undefeated with a record of 12-0 and coming off of brutal knockout victories over highly-ranked Tara LaRosa and Amanda Buckner from the year before, were you surprised when you became the first woman to ever defeat her?
Roxanne: I didn't realize all of those things, so all I knew was that I'd won and I was really happy.
MMARising.com: You proved that the first victory was no fluke when you not only defeated Jennifer a second time but submitted her in your rematch four months later. With that win, you were – at least for a time – the new #1-ranked female fighter in mixed martial arts. Did that ever sink in or did you see the fight as just another battle that you had to win?
Roxanne: I never considered myself #1, since I'd just started out. I knew that I had a long road ahead of me, and I looked forward to that! I still do now!
MMARising.com: In the year following that fight, you had a number of ups and downs and suffered losses to Tara LaRosa, Shayna Baszler (the only time that you've ever been stopped) and the since-retired Laura D'Auguste. At the time, did you ever consider giving up or did the tough losses only make you work harder?
Roxanne: I'm sorry, I'm not sure of the meaning of that phrase...give...what?
MMARising.com: Next to the wins over Jennifer Howe, 2007 was unquestionably the best year of your career to date, and saw you capture the K-GRACE Women's Open-Weight Championship by winning a one-night tournament where you picked up three consecutive victories. How important was it for you to emerge victorious in that tournament?
Roxanne: I knew that it would be truly remarkable if I won, and I almost didn't expect to. Later on, I realized how important it was to have on my fighting résumé because it helped me to get better known in Japan and I could then tell promoters about my victories. Well, maybe it hasn't helped me quite so much, seeing as how I don't have a fight [for this year] yet.
MMARising.com: The final fight of the night was somewhat controversial, as your opponent, Marloes Coenen, dropped you with a punch and then secured a heel hook very late in the first round that actually forced you to tap out, but the submission came after the bell. To your credit, you showed huge heart by battling back in the latter rounds and picked up a Split Decision win to take the tournament crown. Looking back, what are your thoughts on that final fight?
Roxanne: I walked away from the fight feeling lucky, but you know, it's not about luck. It's just "the way things are." There are moments when people perform superbly and others where it's not to the best of their ability. She had the toe hold but wasn't able to finish it before the bell. I knew the bell rang, but tapped to make sure she'd let me go. I managed to come back, got her to the ground and dominated, so I believe that I won that fight in the end. It was very close, indeed.
MMARising.com: 2008 was also very good to you, as you became the first woman to stop the always tough Vanessa Porto, which is something that not even feared striker Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos could do. That win - the first knockout victory of your career - saw you successfully defend your Fatal Femmes Fighting Women's Lightweight Championship. As you have mostly been known for your ground game, were you surprised when you were able to stop Vanessa with strikes?
Roxanne: I'm not sure if "surprise" is the right adjective, but I was definitely ecstatic to have stopped Vanessa Porto with strikes. I consider myself to be a jiu-jitsu girl, so it's one more step in becoming a well-balanced fighter.
MMARising.com: Most recently, you picked up a victory at the debut Valkyrie event in Japan last November after the American Fight League's plans stalled here in North America, but you have not competed since then. What is the current situation like with regards to Valkyrie and are you aware of why the promotion has not brought you back since then?
Roxanne: I wasn't sure where I'd be fighting earlier this year, so I was holding off on Valkyrie. Then, for this previous event, I asked to be on the card too late to find me an opponent. I do hope to fight in Japan sometime, though, since I'm living here and I'd like to have Japanese fans.
MMARising.com: Switching focus, your name has recently been brought up a number of times as a potential addition to the Strikeforce 135-pound women's division, and I am certainly among the many individuals who hope that you are able to debut for the company in the near future. What are your thoughts on becoming a member of the Strikeforce roster?
Roxanne: I would love to become a part of the Strikeforce roster. Now, all I can do is train and hope to get an offer. Calling out people hasn't been working for me, haha. There are a lot of women in Strikeforce that I'd like to fight.
MMARising.com: Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker has recently stated that he would like to establish mini-tournaments for both the 135- and 145-pound women's divisions. Personally, I feel that it would be more appropriate for you to bypass the tournament and face Sarah Kaufman to crown the first Strikeforce Women's 135-Pound ("Featherweight" in Strikeforce, rather than the traditional "Bantamweight" for 135) Champion. Do you feel that you should get an immediate shot at the title or are you fine with working your way through a tournament?
Roxanne: I just want to have fun fights against strong opponents, so wherever they want to put me in, I'm happy!
MMARising.com: If you do, in fact, have to make your way through a tournament in order to capture the title, who are some opponents that you expect to face along the way?
Roxanne: I'd love to fight Amanda Buckner, Shayna Baszler, Meisha Tate and Kaitlin Young. Everybody at 135!
MMARising.com: Should you become a champion in Strikeforce somewhere down the line, what would that mean for your career and your notoriety among the North American audience?
Roxanne: Hopefully that means that I'll get to fight more often, and on TV maybe! That would rock.
MMARising.com: This past Saturday, Strikeforce crowned its first female champion when Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos mauled Gina Carano for the better part of one round and stopped her just before the 5:00 mark to capture the Strikeforce Women's Lightweight (145-Pound) Championship. What are your thoughts on that fight?
Roxanne: Cyborg overpowered Gina with physical force and willpower and, of course, technique. Cyborg is the better fighter. It was a good fight. They both got mount once and Gina was trying her moves. Cyborg was just better.
MMARising.com: Immediately afterwards, speculation began as to who should get the first crack at Cyborg. Currently, old foes Marloes Coenen and Erin Toughill are engaged in a war of words and each feels that they are deserving of getting the next shot. However, your name has also been brought up numerous times. Would you consider a move up to 145 to face Cyborg for the title or are you more comfortable at 135?
Roxanne: I'm hoping to stay in the 135-pound division.
MMARising.com: Speaking of Coenen, I had the chance to talk to her for quite some time after the post-fight press conference on Saturday. Though she is now competing at 145, she believes that she should have won the first fight against you (and feels that you were lucky to escape round one) and seems to be quite set on facing you again at some point. Assuming that a suitable weight could be arranged for the fight, is that a rematch that would interest you or are you more focused on other challengers?
Roxanne: I guess you could say that I'm more focused on other challengers in my own weight division. As I said before about luck, we all have those moments when we don't do as well as we expected. Shayna caught me in her modified chicken wing (lovingly named the "shwing"), which basically put the brakes on my MMA career. I can't say that I'd never rematch Marloes, though. I love that lady. I hope she gets her big fight soon!
MMARising.com: As it stands now, you are firmly among the top 10 female fighters in the sport today and you have not lost in over three years. To this point, what impact do you feel that you have had on the women's division of mixed martial arts as a whole?
Roxanne: I'm not sure what impact I personally have had. I haven't been getting many fights lately, but I try to blog and show people what it's like to live and train in Japan. I try to help other female fighters and spread the love, so to speak!
MMARising.com: Looking forward, besides simply getting a fight – which I understand can be difficult for female fighters; even ones at your skill level – what are your main goals for the coming year?
Roxanne: Fight a lot, win a lot, improve my stand-up, impress my coach Kunioku and win by KO.
MMARising.com: How long do you feel that it will be until you are well-known among MMA fans here in North America?
Roxanne: That depends on what kind of fight offer I get in North America!!
MMARising.com: If you could set up a dream fight against an opponent of your choosing, who would it be and why?
Roxanne: A rematch with Tara LaRosa, somewhere on TV. Any fight is like a dream come true!! Sarah Kaufman also looks like a really strong opponent! I get really excited thinking about it.
MMARising.com: What would you most like fans to know about Roxanne Modafferi?
Roxanne: She just wants a chance to fight strong opponents, better herself and put on an entertaining fight.
MMARising.com: Do you have any final comments or shout-outs to friends, family or sponsors?
Roxanne: Thanks to the guys on the Underground (MMA.tv) and Fightlinker.com for all of their support on the message boards, and to everyone who reads and comments on my MySpace account (www.myspace.com/roxyfighter). Fans' comments really help to motivate me when I'm feeling crappy, and thank you to reporters and websites for trying to get my name out there by doing interviews. I love you guys.
MMARising.com: Thank you again for taking the time for this interview, and we definitely look forward to your arrival in Strikeforce at some point in the near future.
Roxanne: Thanks a lot!!
MMARising.com thanks Roxanne for her time and hopes to see her among the elite in Strikeforce soon.
