Jozette Cotton rules the roost in the often overlooked women’s lightweight division. Now, ‘Head Busta’ is set to drop down to featherweight for title fight at DSC 38.
Jozette Cotton is currently considered the best female MMA lightweight fighter today. Holding a record of 7-1, including wins over the likes of Sarah Patterson and Jessica Halverson, she’s a force to be reckoned with. One of the few standouts fighting north of 145lbs on the women’s side, she will be taking on Jennifer Leigh Norris at DSC 38. There, she hopes to conquer Norris for the DSC featherweight title. Ahead of that championship bout she took time out to answer a few questions
PAARTH PANDE: How did your journey as an athlete begin? Was there someone who influenced or inspired you? When you look behind and realize that this is how far you have made it, how does it feel? What according to you is your greatest achievement?
Jozette Cotton: My journey as an athlete came with trying to compete as a boxer and never getting the chance!! Then I saw ladies competing in spike and was totally turned on, thinking they look weak I could do that!!
As far as when I came into the game I feel Anderson Silva was my biggest influence, his style his attitude and accuracy turned me into to trying to be the woman spider.
It has been a long journey when I look back. I say I’m still the same person, I just got a whole new mindset and I think that will make me the Best fighter in the world. I feel better and wiser and ready for anyone put in front of me!!
My greatest achievements are yet to come I have just began this journey!!
PAARTH PANDE: An opinion which comes out again and again is that MMA isn’t meant for women. As someone who practices MMA and has many fans, what are your thoughts on the thoughts of people who refuse to accept that women too can fight?
Jozette Cotton: I think that people know woman are fighters and just have a hard time being able to cope with the fact they could get whooped on by a woman!!!
PAARTH PANDE: You have been a part of MMA for some time. What are your thoughts on the evolution of women’s MMA? Do you think that female MMA fighters have cemented their spot in the main stream media?
Jozette Cotton: I think the evolution of woman’s sport has finally broken thru, and we defiantly made head way. I feel we will eventually have weights class that range from 105lbs to 175lbs. Or maybe that’s just wishful thinking coming from a woman that competing in the higher weight classes.
We defiantly made a statement to main stream media and are here to stay!!
PAARTH PANDE: Whom do you think are the top 5 greatest female MMA fighters of all time, women who have not only given exemplary performances in their fights but have also helped in the growth of the sport and have made it possible for women to have their place in some of the biggest MMA promotions? Why?
Jozette Cotton: Gina Carano vs. Cyborg, ’cause that was a great fight and I feel like they opened eyes with that one fighting in Strikeforce. My favorite of all time was ‘Cupcake’ Tate, she just went in there striking with no care in the world about how beautiful she was, she came to hurt someone!! Ronda Rousey, her confidence and get in and out fights always pissed me off but made it so much more interesting to see: is there anyone that won’t get the arm bar??!! Holly Holm, her transfer over from boxing to MMA was so successful and plus I’m a striking fan, she never disappoints and gives her all.
PAARTH PANDE: In your next fight you face Jennifer Leigh Norris. How does it feel facing her? What are your thoughts on her as an opponent? How do you see this fight going?
Jozette Cotton: I am happy she is coming and blessed to share the octagon with her. I FEEL GREAT COMPETING against her, being we are both well rounded I know the fans will not be disappointed! I feel this will be a standup fight, it isn’t known who will get the best of who, but if it goes to the ground I plan to finish her!
PAARTH PANDE: The featherweight division has been labeled as a division without any depth. What are your thoughts on this?
Jozette Cotton: Only ’cause they never gave it a chance in the UFC. In Invicta they didn’t have a problem, the 145 division in it had plenty of women.
PAARTH PANDE: Two of the largest MMA promotions today, Bellator and UFC, have a featherweight division. Which division do you think has more credibility? Why?
Jozette Cotton: Either of the promotions are awesome, each giving you giving their own benefits, and I think that all depends on each individual person. For me I need UFC gold, not many girls in Bellator of can even compete with me. I feel like I would spark a lot of women in Bellator, like their champ Julia Budd’s easy work!!
PAARTH PANDE: You recently called out Cris Cyborg. She is the UFC featherweight champion. Do you think you’ll be able to beat her?
Jozette Cotton: I will put nothing but hands on Chris and she knows that, she don’t want a real opponent in there, it wouldn’t make her look as dominant as she looks. I would break her
PAARTH PANDE: What are your plans after the fight?
Jozette Cotton: I plan to get a contract with the UFC after this and hopefully talk my boss into opening up the lightweight just for me and other promising lightweights. I plan to be a three-time ACTIVE Bantamweight, Featherweight, and lightweight CHAMP!
PAARTH PANDE: One of the most discussed topics in MMA today is fighter pay. What are your thoughts on the pay made by an average MMA fighter? What are your thoughts on a fighter’s union? Will you join the union if given a chance?
Jozette Cotton: I think with what we put into training, gas to all the gyms we need to get to, we are defiantly underpaid and lose money in the end if you don’t eventually get to the Bellator or UFC for a real pay check!! Haven’t heard much on the union, but if it’s like most job unions then I’m definitely in!!
PAARTH PANDE: A message for your fans
Jozette Cotton: Thanks for the continued support, and I hope I never let you all down when I’m in there competing to become the best in the world!!
