| Debi Purcell |
Debi Purcell
FighterGirls Founder
Debi "Whiplash" Purcell is a true pioneer and spokeswoman in the world of Mixed Martial
Arts (MMA), paving the way for other female competitors from around the world to show that
there is a place for women in this sport. Debi has proven time and time again, that there
is a fine balance between having your femininity and being able to maintain a competitive,
athletic stature at the same time. Thus, not having to give up either but to have that
balance. So what is Debi Purcell in the eyes of the public? She is simply one of the
toughest women in the world. Not only has this been said in the MMA industry but also,
in the mainstream media's views. Debi was featured in September/October 2007 issue of
"Muscle and Fitness HERS" in an article about "Fitness role models," titled "Women Strength."
The article opens with "M&F Hers introduces you to four women whose spirit has made them
strong in very different ways."
"Skateboarding has Tony Hawk. Women's soccer has Mia Hamm. And if female mixed martial
arts (MMA) ever goes mainstream, it will have Debi Purcell."
Debi's martial arts history begins with traditional karate or Tae Kwon Do. Over twenty
years later, Debi is what you might say being at the top of her game. A competitor of
this sport could only gain more experience with each fight, each year they spend training
as if they were going to fight tomorrow and with every school or teacher they end up
training with. After making her mark in Tae Kwon Do and earning a black belt, Boxing
and Kickboxing, Debi took her training to a whole other level, a level that was rather
rare for women at the time. She found Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and "Marco Ruas." An
"Ultimate Fighting Championships" veteran, Marco took Debi under his tutelage, teaching
her the fighting styles of Vale Tudo (Portuguese for "anything goes"). This Brazilian
discipline combines the styles of boxing, wrestling, submission grappling, Muay Thai
kickboxing, and Jiu-Jitsu. Learning the technical aspects of the discipline was enough
to keep Debi challenged and coming back for more. Her dedication earned her a black belt
in 3-years.
From here on out, "Whiplash" was born. Debi took her skills and tested it by competing in MMA.
After winning her first few matches, Debi's determination took on a new high - convincing the
promoter of an all-male MMA event to let her compete. That event was "King of the Cage."
Purcell was the first woman to EVER compete in a "King of the Cage" promotion and win.
Other victories and titles soon followed:
- "Ultimate Wrestling" World Title Belt Holder
- "Hook-N-Shoot Revolution" Winner, 2002
- Headlined the first ever all women "No Holds Barred (NHB)" card in U.S. history
- "Ultimate Wrestling" Minnesota Winner
- First and only woman to feature in a set of MMA instructional videos by Century Vision Martial Arts
- First and only female (Assistant) Coach for the "International Fight League's (IFL)" team "Condors"
- State Black Belt Full Contact Champion
She is a vocal proponent of women's MMA and founder of "Fightergirls.com," the largest web
site in MMA catering to women in the sport and now the proud promoter behind "Warrior Women."
Debi also owns her own fight clothing line, specifically designed for female competitors,
supporting their special needs as female fighters--"Alpha Female Fightwear." Debi also owns
a management firm with some of the top names in the MMA industry today. Her primary goal for
starting a management firm was to simply look out for the fighter's best interests, whom are
her peers.
In September of 2007, Debi was brought in as a guest on the "Montell Williams Show." The show
focused on the world's toughest woman. Debi was highlighted as just that, the toughest
female competitor in the history of MMA history. She was also chronicled in "MSNBC's Warrior
Nation," A documentary on MMA competitors.
As a promoter, Debi hopes to accomplish a dependable venue for other women striving to prove
that all their training and dedication matters, matters just as much as the men. Furthermore,
Debi "Whiplash" Purcell will take on the new challenge of breaking barriers placed in front
of women's MMA today and by doing so, she hopes to establish quality, meaningful competitions
for female MMA fighters around the world.
Debi currently teaches other women health, fitness, and Martial Arts. Debi is committed and
determined to breaking the barriers of women competing and fighting in Martial Arts. She is
determined to let the world know that women can be as effective and complete as their male
counterparts.
Debi's business profile includes:
- President and founder of DC's Mechanical, Inc., a commercial-based air conditioning company
- Owner and founder of PurPar Hollywood Aprons, a clothing design company specializing in vintage aprons
- Owner and founder of Alpha-Female Fight Wear, a clothing line for the female martial artist
- Owner and founder of FighterGirls.com, a site dedicated to the female warriors, whether their sport is MMA, Boxing, Kickboxing, Grappling, or Wrestling
- Owner and founder of WMAA (Women's Martial Arts Association), an All-Women MMA league
- Manager of professional MMA fighters
A Word From Debi:
Vale Tudo means NO rules, which translates that we have no limits to bind our body or our knowledge
in learning. The message is clear, and that is to pass on what we learn to others. Not only in the
fighting martial arts sense, but in taking pride in oneself, being humble, loyal, strong, and
respecting yourself but mostly respecting others. Having no limits has allowed me great freedoms in
my martial arts practice and in my spirituality, and has helped me realize that we are only bound
by what we allow ourselves to be bound by.
In a world where it is hard for women to flourish in Martial Arts, I have had trainers and friends
not discriminate against me but have always thought it was great that I and other women want to
compete and fight. I have been encouraged to seek out different kinds of training and different
training partners to further along my progress. And I thank you all who have participated in helping
me be the person and fighter I am today.
Highlight Video #1:
Highlight Video #2
Debi Purcell vs. Hitomi Akano
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