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.