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The Force is Strong with Amanda Lucas

Fight Chix chats with Amanda Lucas, MMA Fighter and daughter of Star Wars, George Lucas.

Not everyone in MMA will make the connection that you are in fact the daughter of Star Wars creater George Lucus…how did you get into MMA and what does your dad think of your career choice?

I got into MMA completely by accident. My fiancee wanted to train jiu-jitsu and muay thai, so I went to the gym with him. When I first started I had no intention of actually fighting, I just wanted to get in shape. I never ever thought I would fall in love with the sport.
My dad is supportive of my choosing to fight. I think he worries that I will get hurt, but he is always eager to watch videos of my competitions. He says he is not ready to actually watch me fight in person. I am completely fine with that. I am not ready to have all the extra attention that would probably come from his actually being there.

Who do you currently train with and who have you trained with in the past?

I am a total gym rat. I started jiu-jitsu under Jake Shields. Eventually I came across Lana Stefanac at one of the gym’s I was going to. I instantly connected with her as a person and especially as a teacher. Her style of grappling is something I learn very well. I train with Gilbert Melendez for most of my MMA and wrestling. I do strength and condtioning at Diablo Barbell, boxing with Tareq Azim and Muay Thai with Ganyao at Fairtex.

Do you have any role models, in MMA or in life in general?

I look up to, and have amazing respect for all my trainers, coaches and my training partners. They have all taught me so much and helped me grow as a person and as a fighter. I also have to say my parents and my fiancee, Jason. All three of them have had such an amazing inpact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without their love and support.

Do you have any advice for female fighters coming up?

I would tell any up and coming female fighters to be well rounded. I think its vital for anybody who wants to fight MMA to train all aspects of fighting. Stand-up, ground, wrestling, cardio and eating well.

Can you tell us about the fight you have coming up—who are you fighting? What promotion is it for?

I am fighting on November 7 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, for Freestyle Cage Fighting. I am fighting a girl named Christine Gaither. It is her pro debut.

You where part of the US Team that went to New Zealand—you got a fair amount of mainstream press from the event—even a battle photo in People magazine—how was the experience?

New Zealand was a great experience. I think everyone thought it would be a quiet fight with very little, if any, press about me. I was shocked the next day when Jason looked on the internet and saw it was everywhere. I am not a stranger to the press, but usually it has to do with my dad, not me. It was the first time that has ever happened. Fortunately, almost everything that was written was positive, despite the fact that I lost the fight.

What is your day to day life like? Most female fighters have to teach or hold down a fulltime job—do you have a little more freedom with the Lucas name behind you? From what I have heard you don’t ask for any special treatment ever–which is admirable, but to get that competitive edge I could see where focusing on just fighting would be ideal!

I am extremely lucky. I am able to train full time. I am a wife (almost) and a fighter. I could not do what I do without the help and support of my mother. She makes it 100% possible for me to do what I love.
So, a typical day for me consists of getting Jason off to school, then heading to the gym for the first round of training. I usually squeeze in some cardio before I come home to eat, shower and have maybe 30 minutes of down time. Then its back to another gym for some other sort of training or sparring. Then I come home and make dinner. I do this 5 days a week and once on Saturday. After the fight, my schdule will calm down a bit, so I can have a break and rest my body. But I am never out of training for long.

Do you have any pre-fight rituals?

I don’t know if I have any pre-fight rituals. This will only be my second fight. When I compete in grappling tournaments I have learned how to just breath and stay calm, so I am hoping that will carry over to the cage.

Who is your favorite Star War character?

Probably Princess Leah. And I went through a huge Jar Jar phase when we were shooting Episode 1.

After seeing Gina Carano vs Cyborg—-what did you think of the fight and what do you think the fight’s impact had on women’s MMA?

I was at the Cyborg vs. Carano fight. The whole place was chanting Gina’s name. I think it was the first time Gina was put against someone really, really good. I think Gina is a good fighter, but there are so many amazing women that have so many more fights and wins, that you never hear about. Cyborg is a beast. I mean that in a good way.

What are some of your goals in MMA?

My goals in MMA are to keep fighting, and improving. I want to grow as a fighter. I also want to keep dropping down in weight classes. I would eventually like to fight at 155 lbs. I would love to win a title belt, and maybe fight for a large promotion.
Jacob Nuesser is a contributor to MMAmaddess.com and co-owner of Fight Chix Apparel

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You must not let your life run in the ordinary way; do something that nobody else has done, something that will dazzle the world. Show that God’s creative principle works in you.
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Catching Up with Miesha Tate

Miesha, can you tell us your background and how you got into mixed martial arts?

I started wrestling my freshmen year of high school and really loved it! When I went to college I joined a MMA club and started learning the basic submission wrestling things like armbars and triangle chokes and I picked it up quickly and really enjoyed it, it wasn’t long after that I found myself fighting and here I am today!!

Who have you trained with and who do you currently train with?

I started with Yakima MMA with Rich Guerin and have since moved on to Victory Athletics with Dennis Hallman. I have also done some cross training with some fantastic gyms/people such as Cung Le’s, AKA, LA Boxing and Ultimate Fitness with Urijah Faber

What is a typical day of training like for you?

If I’m preparing for a fight I usually do a my first workout at about 11 am and I will usually run sprints and do some sort of circuit or resistance training and then I will do fight training at about 6 or 7 depending on the day. If I’m in between fights though I usually just attend fight practice once a day.

When you have some downtime from training and fighting what do you enjoy doing?

I love to rent Redbox movies watch them at home, I love cooking and baking as well so usually I’ll make a dinner first and then watch a movie! I’m an internet junkie too so I like to look around on forums and keep myself updated on whats going on in the MMA world! I like to go out on the weekends and go to a club and get my groove on lol

As a female in a fighting sport, what challenges have you experienced and have you had any advantages?

It seems like its always a challenge at first to be taken seriously and being a female I feel the sport is too focused on our looks. I wouldn’t say there are many advantages except that its easier to get recognized than the guys because there are fewer of us in the sport.

We recently saw you in a FIGHT mag, how has that exposure been?

It was great exposure, I had fun doing the shoot! Paul Thatcher is a fantastic photographer and a very funny guy. I’ve received good and bad criticism from it but either way it got me noticed!!

We have heard you are looking to get back to action in December with Strikeforce promoting—do you have a date or opponent yet? And if not, anyone you’d like to fight?

I’m hoping to be put on the December card which is the 19th, I have no clue who they might have in mind for me if I do get on that card but I would always love to a rematch with either Liz Posener or Kaitlin Young, Liz I lost to as an amateur and she has gone on to do some good things a professional and I’d like another shot at her now and Kaitlin beat me on a tournament night when I was completely exhausted! I think I’ve done enough to deserve a rematch with either of these young ladies!

For all the young women out there that are starting to train, can you offer any advice to them as they progress in their careers?

Respect yourself, because if you don’t you can’t expect anyone else to….especially the guys in the gym. Also don’t be afraid to get out there and pursue your dream, you only live once so just go for it! 

Gina vs Cyborg was a landmark for women’s MMA, what did you think of the fight and what do you think it has done for the growth of the sport for the ladies?

Honestly I think it could have been a better fight but it also could have been much worse. I think Gina had a tremendous amount of pressure on her after such a long layoff and that would be tough on anyone. I think it REALLY put women’s mma on the map though and I love what Scott Coker is doing for the women in this sport. We really owe StrikeForce a big thank you for giving us the opportunity it presents.

Who in or outside of MMA has been a rolemodel to you or inspiration?

Really a lot of people, I could make a huge list lol but my boyfriend Bryan Caraway has been a part of my MMA career since the very beginning and has really helped me evolve as a fighter. My family for doing their best to support me in my crazy ambitions. Also many of the women who are the true pioneers of this sport are just incredible ladies and I have nothing but respect and admiration for what they have done.

Do you have any pre-fight rituals or post fight celebrations?

I always say a prayer before I walk out to the cage and after the fight I like to go out to the after party and enjoy my friends/family/fans and have a good night!