| Mentors |
Many people attribute the growth of women's MMA to Debi Purcell and FighterGirls.com.
Although Debi appreciates the acknowledgement, anything she has done would have been nearly
impossible without the people mentioned below.
Not everyone finds the gift of an individual that will take their own time
to passionately guide them, in sport or in life. In the individuals we're
about to discuss, Debi Purcell was fortunate to find both, and much, much more.
Debi owes her career, her wisdom, her knowledge, her tenacity, her drive, and her
commitment to achievement to those mentioned in the following chronicles.
During injuries and other times, Debi had a lack of competition and wanted to quit or give up.
The following people helped her to rise above the negativity and keep pushing positively
forward for herself and for the women of this sport. These people have taught her what truly
matters in life.
Debi extends a warm and sincere "thank you" to Marco Ruas and Jeremy Williams,
two true warriors, who dedicated their time and insight to Debi's own pursuits in
life, both in sporting and spirituality. Humility, loyalty, and honesty are not
seen enough in this beloved sport. Debi has been lucky to find these qualities in
Marco and Jeremy and the other great people in her life.
Marco Ruas is the founder of the Ruas Vale Tudo fighting system, active in the sport of MMA dating
back to 1984, trainer of UFC champions, participant in some of the most entertaining UFC fights
of his era... and someone who changed Debi's life forever through his dedication to her.
Also a true friend and mentor to Debi was Jeremy Williams, who touched Debi personally through wisdom
beyond his years and a positivity no one could ever deter. Jeremy will be missed by many, and will forever
be survived by the memory of what he contributed to the lives of those around him during his short and
impacting time with us.
Debi would also like to thank Chad Moechnig for everything he has done for her.
Many of you have heard the name around for years, but not many of you know enough
about Chad. Chad was the original person who came up with the idea to build a web
site for women fighters. Over a decade ago, Debi and Chad were talking about the
lack of women in the sport and he proposed the idea to her. Chad is family to Debi
and also her partner in many business ventures. Without him working while she trained
full-time, Debi would have never gotten as far as she has. Debi will forever
appreciate everything Chad has done for her and her gratitude is insurmountable. |
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Marco "The King Of The Streets" Ruas
20 Year MMA Veteran & Mentor Trainer
Few fighters in MMA will ever record the
active streak of Marco Antônio de Lima Ruas, known as "The King Of The Streets" throughout
an illustrious MMA career that not only dates back to 1984, but also includes a tournament win at
UFC 7 that required three fights in one evening, and most recently included a return fight in the
newly-formed IFL. A father, family man, and trainer to multiple top competitors of both genders,
Marco Ruas' contribution to martial arts is as substantial as any modern day martial artist can claim.
Instrumental to Debi's career and development as an ethical and disciplined fighter, Marco made
Debi his personal project. Debi, then a Tae Kwon Do black belt with limited experience,
discovered a new range of technique and application through Marco Ruas' training at a young age,
and developed those techniques into the full-blown tactical assault you've seen from her in the
octagon. Honing her leg kicking technique, instilling within her a knowledge of ground strategy,
and implementing a training regimen that most men could hardly stand, Debi was soon to see the
professional level mainly because of the tutelage and dedication Marco offered to Debi.
His commitment to her is something she still marvels at, to this day. As she discusses Marco on
a personal level, you can feel the admiration and respect she has for this man... two things
reserved by someone of her nature for only the most substantial presences in her life. And she's
not the only one who speaks of him this way... as a mentor, Marco's influence has renownedly found
it's way into the largest competitive organizations in the world, through multiple fighters. This
trend keeps consistent with his own achievements while actively competing.
Marco stands as one of the greatest men Debi has ever known, one of the largest positively
contributing factors she will ever have on her side, and a staple in what she will continue to
consider success throughout her life. Her dedication to excellence and tenacity in competition
are a perpetual tribute to him and their work together. |
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Jeremy Williams
Mentor & Friend
Jeremy Williams represented himself through
more than just a successful martial arts career at such a young age. Jeremy was a mentor and coach,
a truly genuine spiritual entity and a friend to all who knew him. What he offered to those who
banded around him, through his energy and encouragement, is something we will all remember fondly
and miss deeply. Jeremy Williams influenced those he knew greatly in just the short time he was with
us, and for this among other reasons, Debi Purcell considers Jeremy to be a mentor of incomparable
value and irreplaceable nature to her, and her career.
Jeremy Williams took up martial arts training during his young teen years, advancing though
kickboixng and wrestling training of varied nature by the time he found Chris Brennan at about 17.
Next Generation's Chris Brennan spent 3 yeaers with Jeremy, training him and living with him
throughout that time. Also instrumental in Jeremy's developement as a martial artist was the Vale
Tudo training of Marco Ruas, one of the more reverred veteran fighters in the sport of MMA. As a
young professional fighter Jeremy competed in San Jacinto, CA's King Of The Cage promotion, where
he accumulated victories over such talent as Yves Edwards and Shannon Ritch.
Jeremy's influence in the world of martial arts included the founding of APEX Jiujitsu, a true
MMA-oriented training environment, which found locations at different intervals in both Lake Forest,
CA and Mission Viejo, CA. As a competitive athlete with IFL's Southern California Condors, Marco
Ruas furthered his tutelage of Jeremy, and guided him to two submission victories in the ring.
In an untimely and tragic fashion, on May 5, 2007 in Laguna Niguel, California, Williams passed away.
He is survived by his two children and wife Lauren.
We love you Jeremy, and miss you more with every passing day. |
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Chad Moechnig
Business Partner & Friend
Chad Moechnig and Debi started
a commercial refrigeration and air conditioning business, DC's Mechanical, in 1994
to provide quality service at affordable prices. Although a great business partner,
Chad is also a great friend to Debi. After seeing her struggle to get fights because of
a lack of women in the sport, he came up with an idea for a web site to help promote women
in the sport and FighterGirls.com was born. |
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Vicious Vixens by Debi Purcell MMA Essentials instructionals DVD
VVDP-DVD |
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Remix Women's World Fight Championships
RWWFC-DVD |
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Pro Spar Shin Guard
prospr-shngrd |
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Fightergirl T
T-Shirt |
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