Angela Magana Interview

Angela Magana is one of those stories you love to hear. The 26 year old had a rough start in LA then relocated to New Mexico absolutely determined not to become a statistic. To deter typical teenage trouble Magana turned to the gym, and boy did it pay off for her. Angela became the only female wrestler on her school team and an accomplished Golden Glove boxer by the time most kids are beginning college. Angela's daily motivation is her six year old daughter that is turning out be as tough as her competitive mother, which is just fine with Angela...

JH: Who is your favorite fighter male or female?

AM: "My favorite fighter would be Floyd Sword he has been around a long time, he knows what he is doing, he is my coach and my hero. He has always believed in me and helped me selflessly. I don't really get starstruck, which gives me a different definition of favorite. Favorite goes off of personal experience so with that being said my favorite female fighter is Rosi Sexton, she is a great person and Molly Helsel is awesome. I had a great time with her last time I saw her."

Angela Magana

JH: What are your personal thoughts on females not competing in the UFC just yet?

AM: "I think it's ridiculous since Gina pulled more viewers on CBS than any UFC. I know the weight classes are not filled out enough to create a division in the UFC, but there will be. We all know that, but we are not asking to have only women's shows... In the UFC if there were only 1 to every 3 matches it would promote WMMA leaps and bounds. Women's fights are the most exciting...no egos."

JH: What advice do you have for girls starting out in MMA? (as far as getting experience in a smaller city where MMA isn't well known)

AM: "I come from a very small town and I started wrestling and boxing in Jr. High. They are great basics to start from, just find a gym and train. Do some grappling tournaments and amateur boxing/kick boxing matches, then from there find a fight. As females in the sport we have to travel far to fight so finding a close fight is slim to none...and slim is out of town. Personally 95 percent of my fights have been facilitated through the Internet. Once one is ready, the Internet is the best way to network with promoters, sponsors and other fighters."

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JH: Would you be supportive of your daughter should she follow in your footsteps and have the desire to be a fighter?

AM: "I broke my back two years ago, as soon as that happened she wanted to train Jiu-Jitsu. I would watch, it was crazy - now I know how my family felt. She wouldn't tap, her face would turn red and her eyes would water up. I never thought about how my family felt until that day, I will never forget it. Nonetheless, as soon as my body cast came off she was done training. As a parent you want to protect your children from the world, so if she wants to fight I'd train her and send her in with the best tools."

By Jaclyn M Hughes
ProFighting-fans.com MMA Staff Writer

Photo courtesy of Angela Magana