10 Questions With Roxanne Modafferi (by Darrick Patrick)
Roxanne Modafferi is a professional MMA fighter who has fought in various extremely honorable events such as the International Fighting Championship, Greatest Common Multiple, Smackgirl, Mix Fighting Championships, Ring Of Combat, G-Shooto, Fatal Femmes Fighting, MARS, and HOOKnSHOOT. She is currently working on her first novel while teaching English in Japan. Darrick: What path led you to professional mixed martial arts? Roxanne: I'd been doing competitive styles of martial arts, such as Judo and got into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. When I saw my first UFC over at a BJJ buddie's house, I was slightly appalled. Eventually, I got carried away in the enthusiasm of my friends and started training it more & more until I just loved it.
Darrick: You're currently living in Japan teaching English as well - tell us about that. Roxanne: Teaching English is fun and rewarding. A big majority of our clients are business men who need to either use English at work, or are being transferred to foreign countries. They tend to study hard and we can enjoy intelligent conversations. Of course I also teach kids, university students, and the average hobbies. It's a full time job in a shift-like schedule, so I might either work from early morning to afternoon, or only work night, or work mornings, have a break in the afternoon, and then work a night shift. Berlitz is the best English school in Japan, I believe, and I'm very happy and fortunate to work there.
Darrick: Are there any extra hurdles being a female in pro MMA or is it basically the same struggle for both genders? Roxanne: The biggest hurdle is that some men don't think women can fight, or don't want to see them fight. I do agree that the development levels are staggered, but lately the women's skill level has seriously risen. You can have less experienced women flailing about in the ring just as easily as amateur men fighters. It's tough to get fights sometimes because of the small pool of women fighters. Especially being in Japan, where there aren't women my size, it's more of a challenge to find fights.
Darrick: Can you tell us anything about the novel you've been working on? Roxanne: The novel I'm working on is an autobiographical story about my life when I went on exchange to Japan during my junior year in college. I write about my cultural experiences, struggles, amusing circumstances, how I had my first debut match in MMA, and generally became the person I am now. It's three fourths done, and now I'm currently looking for an agent.
Darrick: What does one of your normal training sessions consist of? Roxanne: We do warm-ups for about five minutes, which consist of the usual forward rolls, tumbles, front drags army-style, shrimping, etc. Following this, one of the pro fighters teaches technique for about a hour and we drill it: such as sweeps, submissions, etc. The technique class is from 7 to 8:30, following which the pro opens class to sparring. Usually by that time, ten to fifteen other fighters have been gathering on the side stretching by themselves. They jump in and we all spar with grappling & MMA intensively for the next hour and a half.
Sometimes if the crowded room clears out a bit, we put on gloves and do kickboxing. Our gym boss, Mr. Moriyama, often sits on the side yelling out advice and egging on the pros who might be slacking. If I can't make it to the dojo, I go to Gold's Gym and lift weights, hit the heavy bag, and shadow box.
Darrick: Outside of martial arts and writing, what are some of your other interests? Roxanne: I love watching Japanese animation and studying the Japanese language as much as possible. Becoming fluent in Japanese is actually my main reason for coming here, but I have so little time to focus on that. I also write and enjoy going to Izakaya (Japanese style bar/restaurants) with my co-workers and Berlitz students.
Darrick: What people have been great influences to you? Roxanne: Both of my parents have had the greatest influence on me and still play major roles in my life. I talk to them almost every week and benefit from their confidence, advice, and love. My previous MMA coach Kirik Jenness has been the second hugest supporter for me, never believing for a second that a woman couldn't become a pro fighter. He's always been at my side during my struggles as I reach for my dreams.
Darrick: If you had a chance to be the brains behind a video game, what kind of game would it be? Roxanne: Do you mean invent a game or be a character in a story? Why, I'd be the warrior princess of course! I like fighting games, but I think role-playing games are more like real life. You wander around villages dazed and confused, trying to understand which way to go from little maps, talking to people for advice and getting items to help you along the way. If you stray from the path, you get attacked by monsters.
Darrick: Tell us your oldest memory. Roxanne: When I was very very little, my father the business man went to work in the morning and came home in the evening. When I heard him close the garage door, I always used to run thumping down the hall crying "Daddy Daddy!" to meet him. One day, I slipped and fell on my face. I don't remember if he laughed or not (maybe it was me, because I now think it's pretty funny), but he picked me up and carried me into the kitchen. I remember being so happy pressing against my loving father's clean-pressed suit, but also my face hurt, so I was crying.
Darrick: What comic book character do you relate to most and why? Roxanne: Unfortunately, I relate in some ways to the Dragon Ball Z gang. I say "unfortunately" because they're always getting the living crap kicked out of themselves. I relate to Vegeta because he feels like he's always being surpassed by his peers, and no matter what he does, he's frustrated he can't reach the level he wants. I sometimes feel like Krillin because he gets physically beat up alot: and like Gohan who can work hard, see the fruits of his efforts, kick butt, and get recognition & fame.
FOR OTHER EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS BY DARRICK PATRICK:
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=4974388&bl ogID=343519835 You can also check out Roxanne Modafferi in the following places:
Official Roxanne Modafferi MySpace Profile:
http://www.myspace.com/roxyfighter
Official Roxanne Modafferi YouTube Page:
http://www.youtube.com/user/Rox23
Roxanne Modafferi on Fight Finder:
http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?FighterID=8785
Roxanne Modafferi Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:
http://www.sherdog.com/news/Picture_gallery.asp?f_id=8785@@Roxanne%20Modafferi