If TUF didn’t work out, would Modafferi ever consider Bellator MMA? The promotion has, after all, been in the flyweight game longer than the UFC, and recently signed Valerie Letourneau — the fighter she beat to gain entry into the Ultimate Fighter 18 house.
“Invicta and Bellator are kind of rivals, so I wouldn’t be able to fight for both of them” she told us. “I feel like Bellaor signed a bunch of fighters, but their experience is rather low.” As Modafferi points out, she has over thirty professional fights. “I’m not really sure. It’s something to consider of course, but I’m not really sure.”
It’s easy to forget how long Roxanne Modafferi has been involved in MMA. When she got her start back in Japan, it was almost something female fighters did on the side. Modafferi does travel back to Japan, and does get to train while she’s there. So, have things changed over the years?
“I think that in the gym, female fighters are respected as professionals wanting to fight. Men still train with the women, the coaches give them attention” she said. “But when you compete, it does depend on the organization.”
She’s noticing a change, however, and is hearing from friends in Japan that they’re seeing a change as well. “On a worldwide level, female fighters are getting more respect. I’m noticing that. I think Rizin had a female fighter, Rena, as one of their main events.” Both Rena and Rin Nakai have featured on main cards of Rizin events.
In all, “things have advanced more recently than they did when I lived there.”
On the topic of female fighters, what about the concept that some of the female fighters are still fighting to belong? It’s long been a popular theory that the reason for the great quality fights fans have had on the female side of the sport is that some fighters might still feel they have something to prove. In short, Modafferi has heard the theory, but she doesn’t necessarily subscribe to it.
“I don’t know if that’s the reason. I’ve heard that from a lot of people” she told us. “All I have to prove is my own skills. I’m not really fighting for female gender recognition.” Though she admits that “it used to be like that for many people.” In the end, “I just want to make sure I fight hard and win.”
Fight hard, win, train, learn new techniques and execute them – Modafferi prefers to be known as a martial artist rather than a fighter. So what differentiates the two?
“I try to hold myself to certain morals and certain rules in my life, and it kind of seeps into my training too” she explained. “If I make goals or I promise myself I’ll do something a certain way, I must do it or I feel like I’m dishonoring myself.”
Maybe call it the Happy Warrior’s Code.
So are there any fighters out there who Modafferi, who has faced a vast array of opponents in the cage, would really like to fight? Or fight again?
“I’d like to fight Vanessa Porto again, and Jennifer Maia again, to prove that I can beat them. I think everyone else I really wanted to fight retired, so that’s no longer possible.”
In a dream fight?
“Takayo Hashi. I fought her in Japan, she’s my former teammate and I really wanted to prove that I was better than her, because I felt she was the favorite. I hurt my knee before the fight happened, and I didn’t pull out, and felt like during the fight I just got overpowered. I’m not sure if it was because she was better, or my knee was hurt, or whatever but it just left doubt in my mind. I want that fight back, but I don’t think that’s going to happen, she hasn’t fought in a long time.”
Don’t look back though, right? “Exactly.”
So on a lighter note, The Happy Warrior let us in on her upcoming Invicta FC 23 weigh-in costume. Modafferi has become known for going all out the day before fights. This time around, it’s a Power Ranger theme, and she admits she didn’t have a favorite Ranger — she liked them all. For this event? “I’m going to be the Red Ranger.” Her coach will also appear as the White Ranger.
Remember how she said that MMA was half sport, half entertainment? She definitely gets the balance.
Roxanne Modafferi faces Sarah D’Alelio at Invicta FC 23 May 20, from Kansas City, MO. The event airs on UFC Fight Pass. Be sure to check out our interview with fellow Invicta 23 fighter Andrea “KGB” Lee.
