“I’ve been training since I was 17-years old. I just did mostly muay thai and kickboxing – and then I got more into MMA-style training, but I wasn’t really fully MMA,” Bacik explained. “Then I got deep into grappling while trying to still pursue that career in MMA, and then I did kickboxing again.”

However, if you want to peel it back even further, Bacik has an even deeper history with throwing down. From a young age, she’s not one who walked away from a fight.

“I’ve been a fighter my whole life,” she said. “I used to fight a lot as a kid, but not necessarily in a controlled sport settings.”

Those settings could be just about anywhere during her youth. While she didn’t want to give too many specifics on the record, Bacik said that no matter the circumstances, it felt like home.

“That’s probably what my mom would say,” Bacik laughed. “I always liked to scrap. I always hung out with guys and girls who were sort of annoying me, so at the end there were always some situations where you’ve got to fight back. The thing is, I always enjoyed it. I was never scared of the situation. I never felt uncomfortable. I’m probably just a psychopath, so I’m glad I could take it the legal route.”

Luckily that legal route came before too long. One of her friends saw the potential and helped her guide that energy in a more productive way.

“One of my friends invited me to a muay thai gym when I was 17,” sbe said. “I realized it was something that really keeps me going.”

Now she hopes to keep this run going as she faces off with Paula Cristina. That fight takes place on the Invicta FC 56 main card on Friday. The fight card can be seen on CBS Sports starting at 9pm EST.

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Kicking off this edition of TTP is our interview with UFC heavyweight, Marcin Tybura. Tyubura discusses his upcoming headliner spot at UFC Vegas 95 and how it came to be. Plus, he gives his thoughts on a rematch with Sergey Spivak and talks about how he thinks they both progressed since their last fight.

Fights, Dogs, and Parlays: UFC Vegas 95 (15:27)

Fresh off an exciting UFC Abu Dhabi, the UFC heads back to the Apex for another of their fight night cards. Headlined by the aforementioned heavyweight showdown between Marcin Tybura and Sergey Spivak, UFC Vegas 95 has plenty of interesting stylistic matchups. We take a look at a few of those and let you know our picks. Plus, we find you the best value underdogs and parlays on the card. Don’t miss it! For this segment, all odds via FanDuel Sportsbook.

Kate Bacik Interview (21:15)

Next up is our interview with Invicta FC flyweight, Kate Bacik. Bacik discusses her early professional career and why a loss early on may have actually got her to where she is. She also shares how she has quite a bit more experience than her record would seem to indicate. Plus, she breaks down her Invicta FC 56 bout with Paula Cristina that takes place this Friday on CBS Sports Network.

Wes Schultz Interview (30:32)

Closing out this UFC Vegas 95 edition of TTP is our interview with Contender Series middleweight, Wes Schultz. Schultz will headline week one of the ESPN+ show this upcoming Tuesday. He talked about getting the call so far in advance from the fight itself. He also shares the history of how he became known as “Party Time”. Finally, he breaks down the fight itself and his opponent. He’ll fight fellow middleweight prospect, Mansur Abdul-Malik.

The post TTP Ep. 441 with Marcin Tybura, Kate Bacik, Wes Schultz, and UFC Vegas 95 appeared first on Cageside Press.