MMARising.com: On December 28th, 2007, you made your debut in mixed martial arts and picked up a second-round TKO victory over a solid challenger in Tammie Schneider. What were your thoughts going into the fight and how did the switch to MMA (and smaller gloves) affect how you performed?

Elena: I was fine and had great training…then the ref came back and went over all of the rules. He was talking about eye gouging and all sorts of stuff. I was like, “what have I gotten myself into?” LOL.

I had a great corner who told me to stay composed and they really gave me great information on how and what to do. It’s crazy that they let you hit people with those gloves. It takes some getting used to.

MMARising.com: You became much more well-known among MMA fans in your next fight, at the HDNet-broadcasted SuperFights MMA: “A Night of Combat 2,” during which you stopped Stephanie Palmer with a left hook to the liver just 53 seconds into the fight. After competing on that card, which featured a number of talented Xtreme Couture fighters, what was your reaction to the attention from MMA fans and media that followed?

Elena: It really means a lot. The support from people is huge. I have been doing this for a long time and have always been thankful for the support.

MMARising.com: Within weeks of your fight with Stephanie, some within the MMA community were already labelling you as one of the top female prospects in the sport. Were you aware that, despite having just two MMA fights, people were already seeing you as the future of the division?

Elena: Yes and no. I’ve heard it, but I know that I have a long way to go. I know what it takes to be a champion. I have never had an easy road and I don’t ever expect one.

MMARising.com: A few months later, you returned to boxing and competed in a fight in Germany, which you lost by Unanimous Decision. You have since stated that your training camp for the fight was terrible – and that your trainer actually bailed on you shortly before you left for Germany – and that you weren’t yourself at all. Can you talk a bit about the events that surrounded that fight and how much of an effect it had on your career and your life?

Elena: Without getting into too much detail, I learned many lessons through that experience. I always feel like I can get through anything and I have such a huge sense of obligation. I never want to complain or think that I am too good for anything. I was very sad, but I focused on the task at hand. I learned that it’s okay to remove yourself from bad situations and to cut your losses.

Sometimes, you’ve got to do what’s best for yourself. I will never again stand for a bad situation. I have come too far. It’s terrible fighting with that kind of weight on your shoulders. It’s not impossible, but it sucks not fighting like yourself.

MMARising.com: Rather than taking any time off, you immediately began training for your biggest MMA fight to date against fellow rising star Michelle Waterson. Despite having a much better training camp, you fell ill the night before the fight and spent most of the evening in bed on an IV to treat dehydration. What was going through your head at the time and how crucial was your mother in getting you through that night?

Elena: It had to have been some kind of bug. I only lost about two pounds of water for that fight. I was honestly just praying to God to let me be okay. It was crazy because my body was in such shock and I was just trying to not pass out, lol.

I was thinking to myself that there was no way that I’d be able to fight, but just please, please let me get through this. I’m not a drama queen, so the whole thing makes me laugh. My Mom is amazing and she’s always there to save the day. She was very calm.

I was sprawled out on the couch and, out of the corner of my eye, saw her sewing the final part of my fight shorts. That is the moment when I knew that I would be fighting. I fell asleep with an IV and woke up feeling like a new person. I was not sure how I would hold up for the fight, but I knew that I had to give it my all.

MMARising.com: One night later, you showed no signs of illness when you put on one of the most impressive displays in women’s MMA history. While Michelle is a very tough competitor and showed a huge heart in the fight, you dropped her numerous times and finished the fight in the second round. Your striking was about as close to flawless as possible. How excited were you to not only win the fight with Michelle but to win in such dominant fashion?

Elena: Just a couple of weeks earlier, I was in the fight where I was not myself. I was healthy and realized that this was my time to give it my all and just have fun. Michelle’s talent and aggressiveness brought out the best in me. A great fight is thanks to both fighters and I will never forget Michelle. My boyfriend had an impressive victory the same night. It was a pretty spectacular night to spend with family, friends and fans.