Marissa Caldwell Interview

Rising MMA star Marissa Caldwell discusses her MMA career and upcoming fight with Jessica Eye

Pro Fighting Fans staff writer Curt Heinrichs continues his coverage of the NAAFS and Northeast Ohio MMA as we prepare for the NAAFS to promote the first-ever all-women's MMA event on September 18, 2010 in Akron, OH. The main event for the Eve of Desctruction fight card will feature a classic Cleveland vs. Cincinnati battle as Cleveland's Jessica "Evil" Eye faces Cincinnati's Marissa "Shorty" Caldwell. Pro Fighting Fans' coverage of the September 18 Eve of Destruction event begins with an interview with Marissa Caldwell (2-1) as she prepares for the fight with Eye (1-0). Curt's interview with Caldwell is below:

CH - Women’s MMA is just getting started and the average fan is just becoming familiar with some of the big-named fighters. What brought you to MMA and what made you become a fighter?

MC - I watched lots of UFC fights growing up, in the early days of the sport. I was enthralled by Royce Gracie, and how he could win several fights in one night. I heard about a combative arts club at NKU ( Northern Kentucky University), which was essentially a jiu jitsu club. I took lots of buttkickings and fell in love with the sport. Eventually, I found Vision MMA and trained there for a while. Eventually, Rod Housley told me that I should start training to fight, and I began to work on my striking. I have been training MMA for about a year now and I have been doing jiu jitsu for about 4½ years now.

CH - If you weren’t a fighter, what other career path would you have taken?

MC - I was in school for nursing, before my money ran out. If it weren’t for MMA, I would probably be a nurse, but I have an interest in arts, so I am not really sure where I would be.

Marissa Caldwell defeated Pricilla Brownfield by TKO in round 1 at ICF 20 on June 5, 2010.

CH - What is your background, and in what aspect of your game do you feel most comfortable?

MC - Jiu jitsu is my home for sure. I do men’s divisions in tournaments from time to time, so I feel most comfortable on the ground. I have put lots of work into my stand-up game, so I feel comfortable there too, but not as comfortable as on the ground.

CH - Your only loss as a professional has come at the hands of Jan Finney. What did you feel that you have learned from that loss?

MC - First off, I learned that I need to be smarter about the fights I take early on in my career. I fought January at 145lbs and I was walking around at about 147 for the fight. Jan was a lot bigger and stronger than I was and it showed in the fight. I actually had an armbar in against her, but I couldn’t finish it. She was a tough fight for me so early in my career, so I definitely need to be aware of where I am at as a fighter and make steady jumps in competition. Jan is a really tough fighter, and even though I lost, I feel like I did some good things in the fight and I am proud of those accomplishments.

CH - In your upcoming fight for the NAAFS, you are the main event bout in the first-ever all women’s MMA fight card in the state of Ohio. Do you feel that you are an inspiration to other girls that want to become a fighter? Who do you look up to as a fighter?

MC - I have lots of young girls that are fans. They message me on Facebook and ask me when my next fight is and wish me luck. I would rather have young, passionate fans at my fights than have a huge crowd.

As far as people that I look up to, I really look up to anyone that has put in the time and dedication to be the best fighter they can be. I actually looked up to Jan Finney before we fought. I saw her training with Jorge Gurgel and was really impressed with how hard she trains. I had to put that aside when we stepped in the cage. I am not a fan of those fighters that seem to fight for fame and money. I really like those who work hard at what they do.

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CH - You are taking on Jessica Eye of StrongStyle MMA at Eve of Destruction. What do you know about Jessica?

MC - I have seen a few of her fights, and I know she likes to manhandle her opponents. She is no stranger to the ground, which is cool for me. I know she has some strengths and I will train to shut them down. I trust my skills. I have faith in my skills. Honestly, I think this could be a bad fight for Jessica. It could be a real heartbreaker.

CH - Vision MMA is 2-0 in recent years against Strong Style with Daniel Strauss defeating Frank Carabello and Victor O’Donnell defeating Forrest Petz. Has the history between teams pushed you to keep with Vision’s winning ways over Strong Style?

MC - That is really in the very back of my mind. I take more beatings from my teammates in practice than I ever have in the cage. Vision is about making you the best fighters you can be. Nobody is really to concerned with our record as a team against another team. We all just want to reach our highest ability and potential.

CH - All of your fights have ended in the first round, while Eye is no stranger to the 3rd round. Have you been doing extra cardio work in preparation or are you planning on a short fight?

MC - I really just always prepare for a long fight, but it never ends up getting that far. Our practices are often just really long, hard-fought rounds. That prepares me for what I will see on fight night. I don’t want to play inside of the cage, I want to get in there and finish the fight. Luckily, that has happened for me so far.

CH - Since the fight is in Akron, about 45 miles from your opponent’s hometown of Cleveland, you will undoubtedly be in a hostile environment. Has this impacted how you will approach the fight in training or on the night of September 18th?

MC - (laughs) I plan on walking out to the cage in my Bengals hat. This fight is going to be lots of fun for me. I am ready to be fighting a fan-favorite, but I hope the fans can show some respect. I can hold my own inside and outside of the cage and hopefully, I will open some eyes as to what kind of a fighter I am.

CH - Is there anyone you would like to thank?

MC - I want to thank everyone at Vision MMA: Rod Housley, Aaron Thomas, Scott O’Brien, Mike Camp, my teammates. I want to thank all of my fans. I want to thank my sponsors: 3-B, Actual Fighter, and Fight Ribbon. Fight Ribbon is a really cool sponsor for me because I have lost some family members to cancer and have one that is a survivor. They don’t really give me financial support, but I feel like I should help raise awareness for them in the fight against cancer. I also want to thank my mom, dad, and my two brothers. They try to make it to as many fights as they can. I am not sure if they will make it to Akron, but I always know they are supporting me.

By Curt Heinrichs
ProFighting-fans.com MMA Staff Writer

Photo provided by Marissa Caldwell