Fighter girls interview with female fighter and MMA star Elaina Maxwell come read what Elaina has to say about her career in female fighting
1) How were the holidays?
They were great. I spent them with my twin sister and our friends.
2) What have you been up to?
I’ve been up to the usual – training, working, teaching and enjoying new
experiences whenever I can.
3) Looks as if you had an excellent 2007. What’s in store for 2008?
I’m going to start the new year off with a fight at Strikeforce in Tacoma, WA versus an unknown, local opponent as of right now. My manager and promoter are working on the details. As for the rest of the year, I am
really looking to be a part of the USA San Shou Olympic Team, so we’ll see how that goes. It will be in Beijing, China in August. If not, I am also looking to fight in China on a San Shou or MMA card.
4) Who inspires you the most?
Many people in my life inspire me everyday, but if I had to tell you of two people that inspire me everyday it would be my parents. I know what they expect of me, and I work towards that everyday.
5) You have an upcoming fight in Tacoma, WA. How is training for that fight coming along? What can you tell us about your opponent?
Training is going great. I’ve been training since last year – LOL 🙂 I don’t know much about my opponent, so I am just training to better myself
overall, working on my weaknesses and perfecting my strengths.
6) Will you still be competing in such events as the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Pan Ams or Claudio Franca’s Jiu Jitsu by the Sea?
I will be at both events, competing and coaching. I’m not sure if I’ll compete at the Jiu-Jitsu by the Sea for there are usually not many girls at my weight. However, if there are girls in my category, I’ll be there and ready to go. BTW – What is the date of that event?!?!?! 🙂 I’ll be competing at the Pan-American Games, especially since it is one of the biggest annual BJJ events in the US. In addition, I’m always looking for sponsors to help me at such events.
7) In addition to training with Cung Le, are you still training with “El Technico” Paul Schreiner, David Camarillo or Garth Taylor?
Yes! I’m still training with my long-time trainer/mentor, Cung Le at Cung Le Martial Arts in Milpitas, CA. I learn from him everyday. In addition, I’m still training with Paul and David. It’s great to have so many black belts in one condensed area. I am truly blessed, especially since I still have so much to learn. I aspire to be a purple belt by the end of 2008!
8) How did it feel to be selected to represent women in Mixed Martial Arts when you were on the MSNBC documentary “Warrior Nation”?
I felt extremely grateful to be selected as one of the women in MMA on the MSNBC Warrior Nation series, especially since so many big names in the sport were highlighted in this series. The outcome wasn’t what I had expected since I totally put myself out there, but everything happens for a reason.
If you don’t take risks, you’ll never get what you want out of life. Therefore, all I can do is learn from my mistakes and look towards the
future.
9) As well as being of the most recognized female mixed martial artists, who else do you see making a solid impact in MMA in 2008?
I see many women making a name for themselves in the New Year in MMA. It’s
our time, and since the female fights seem to be making “Fight of the Night” on almost every card out there, I see more and more promoters seeing this as an asset to their organizations. We will see more and more female fights
highlighted this year and possibly an international women’s fight league!
10) Any last words? Seminars or training info? Sponsors?
If you are an up and coming female MMA fighter and would like some guidance, please don’t be shy. Send me an email at elaina@cungle.com I will be more than happy to help you in any way that I can. As for seminars, I do know of
an innovative seminar by Eddie Bravo coming up in Milpitas, CA on Sunday, January 13th from 1-5pm. It’s only $100 if you register and pay online at http://eddiebravo.strongvon.com before 01/12/2008. The first 100 registrants get a free Eddie Bravo KNOXX t-shirt!
As for my sponsors, I would really like to thank KNOXX GEAR (www.knoxxgear.com) and SCORE Clinic (www.scoreclinic.com) for being with me since day one. In addition, I would like to thank my coaches, Strikeforce MMA, Arte Graphics, Javier Mendez & David Camarillo @ American Kickboxing Academy, Krav Maga in SFO, Fairtex MV, Open Door BJJ and Lana Stefanac’s Team USA in San Francisco for all of your support throughout the past year.
For updated info, please go to www.myspace.com/laneymax or
www.elainamaxwell.com
Thank you!
Elaina “BEEF” Maxwell