Maggie O'Neil - Damage Inc. MMA Fighter
I am a HUGE fan of live MMA, and I always recommend to people that they go see an event live if they love watching it on TV. There's something about seeing MMA live that just doesn't translate across the TV or watching it stream live on the computer. Like Joe Rogan said at UFC 154; "There's two different people you need to see fight in two different places, Anderson Silva in Brazil and Georges St-Pierre in Montreal. Because you really don't know what a crowd can sound like until you hear 20,000 people lose their mind - like right now"
What Rogan is talking about how the crowd at a live event can make all the difference in a fight, and for an event. I saw this first-hand back in June when I traveled to Greensburg, Pa. to see World Cagefighting Championships WCC IV. Cody "Lenny" Karlheim faced an up-hill battle against Jonas Rubiano even before entering the cage - because of a sea of family/friends/fans who made the short trip from Pittsburgh to Greensburg to cheer on Rubiano. It was a close fight that didn't end the way "Lenny" wanted, and I have to wonder if the crowd had anything to do with giving Rubiano that slight advantage. The same is true if you attend a Complete Devastation MMA event here in Altoona, Pa. The crowd is always pumped for a night of great fights, but they "lose their mind" as Rogan would say when local favorites like "Lenny Karlheim" or Charlie "The Madman" Gathers enter the cage to do battle. This crowd participation is part of what makes a Complete Devastation event (as well as many local/regional MMA events) worth attending in person.
Having said this, I am a very big fan of Women's MMA. And if you were lucky enough to attend Complete Devastation 7 on November 10th, you were treated to an historic event with the first Women's MMA fight in the Central Pennsylvania (Altoona/Johnstown/St. College) area. The crowd made both fighters feel like a local favorite, and neither failed to entertain the crowd with a very exciting fight for what I hope becomes a regular thing for Complete Devastation events - and hopefully other promotions that hold events in Pennsylvania!
The winner of the inaugural female amateur fight was Maggie O'Neil - fighting of of Team Damage Inc. In Johnstown, Pa. I was on hand as Albert Cameron did a pre-fight interview with Maggie for the MMA RunDown as she prepared to face Courtney Kern at Complete Devastation 7. I was in the cage doing some final preparations for the show that night, and this was the perfect vantage point to observe Albert interview Maggie. My first impression of her was that she was very prepared for the fight, and seemed to have a good head on her shoulders, with experience beyond her debut amateur status.
The fight between O'Neil & Kern was amazing, and the crowd really was losing its mind. Thankfully we were treated to three full rounds of incredible action, and when the final horn sounded and the official decision was about to be announced, even the referee inside the cage couldn't help but applaud both ladies for their awesome performance!
As you know by now, Maggie O'Neil won that fight by unanimous decision. She was gracious to her opponent in the post-decision interview in the cage with Drew Shannon as well as a post-fight interview with Leanna Meiser of MMA Cage Night. I was very impressed with both fighters, and I feel that Maggie is someone that you'll definitely be hearing about very soon beyond the local/regional MMA circuit!
Here is how Albert Cameron described the fight between O'Neill and Kern over at his blog at WordPress.com
"Maggie O’Neil gets a unanimous decision over Courtney Kern. Women’s MMA has exploded over the weekend with the news that women will be showcased on the grand stage of the UFC. Concurrently, Maggie O’Neil and Courtney Kern had rung in the first fight of the region’s women’s division. O’Neil is a Damage, Inc. trained fighter and teammate Brandon Lux had completely blown out the opening fight of the card. Courtney Kern has an extensive amateur kickboxing pedigree and is no stranger to combat sport.
I have seen fights were fighters are timid and cautious; this was not one of those fights. Maggie O’Neil took plenty advantage of her naturally heavy strikes and was just as versatile on her feet as she was on the ground. Everywhere the fight went Maggie O’Neil had a game plan and was comfortable executing that plan. Courtney Kern looked dangerous. She had laser-like focus and had the striking posture of a pro. While Maggie O’Neil may have had more strikes in quantity, the strikes Kern threw were sharp and precise, inducing swelling under the eyes of Maggie O’Neil. When the decision was read, I was neither placated nor truly surprised. Both ladies had effective striking and pushed the fight consistently
This fight proves that women’s mma is not a spectacle or a special attraction; it is a facet of the sport we love and we will embrace it and support it."
I have seen fights were fighters are timid and cautious; this was not one of those fights. Maggie O’Neil took plenty advantage of her naturally heavy strikes and was just as versatile on her feet as she was on the ground. Everywhere the fight went Maggie O’Neil had a game plan and was comfortable executing that plan. Courtney Kern looked dangerous. She had laser-like focus and had the striking posture of a pro. While Maggie O’Neil may have had more strikes in quantity, the strikes Kern threw were sharp and precise, inducing swelling under the eyes of Maggie O’Neil. When the decision was read, I was neither placated nor truly surprised. Both ladies had effective striking and pushed the fight consistently
This fight proves that women’s mma is not a spectacle or a special attraction; it is a facet of the sport we love and we will embrace it and support it."
I agree with Albert's assessment - Women's MMA is NOT a spectacle or a special attraction. Maggie O'Neil and Courtney Kern have shown that Women's MMA is as legitimate as Men's MMA... and I can tell you from watching this fight, women know how to bang in that cage!
Recently I had the honor & privilege to interview Maggie, and I chose her as a subject of this article because that prediction I just made that she is someone you will be hearing about when she ends up in regional & even national MMA events. I hope to see Maggie fight many more times before she becomes "famous", and I honestly feel she will continue to have much success in her MMA future.
Recently I had the honor & privilege to interview Maggie, and I chose her as a subject of this article because that prediction I just made that she is someone you will be hearing about when she ends up in regional & even national MMA events. I hope to see Maggie fight many more times before she becomes "famous", and I honestly feel she will continue to have much success in her MMA future.
Here's 10 questions with Damage Inc. MMA fighter, Maggie O'Neil.
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| Maggie O'Neil before her fight at Complete Devastation 7 |
1. Tell us a little about yourself.
I'm a 21 years old, 135lb, ammy fighter with a 1 - 0 record, fighting for Damage Inc. in Johnstown, Pa.
2. How did you get started in MMA?
When I moved to Johnstown, my roommate/teammate, Mel said there was an MMA gym downtown and she asked if I wanted to go check it out with her. I had seen a couple fights on TV before and knew what MMA was but never really got into it, but I told her I'd check it out with her. After the first few weeks MMA turned out to be something I really love and enjoy.
3. What is it like being a woman training in MMA?
My roommate trains at the gym with me, but her and I are it as far as other female fighters go. The guys at Damage Inc. are awesome. It's a great training environment. I have alot of respect for them, and appreciate that they don't treat me with girly gloves. They train with me like a fighter instead of like a girl. I think getting to train with more guys than girls gives me a little bit of an edge and prepares me mentally to go in the ring without being intimidated by my opponent.
4. What do you feel your strengths are as a fighter?
I love working hard and learning new skills. I don't quit when things get hard or I get banged up and bruised. I'm not good at losing and I'm determined to make my coaches, family, and friends proud of me.
5. What aspects of your training do you feel you need to work on to become a more complete fighter?
My ground game definitely needs some work. It's something totally different then any sport I've done before and it's difficult for me to grasp sometimes. I need to spend more time working submissions and just getting comfortable with that aspect of MMA.
6. You recently won your debut at Complete Devastation 7 in the first female MMA fight in the Altoona/Johnstown/St College area. How did that feel?
The win was totally surreal. I didn't really believe I was going to fight in that cage until my walkout music started playing. I was nervous for probably a month before the fight, everyday I got a little more and more nervous. I tried not to focus on the fight itself and just think mostly about training. The day of fight I'd have these little panic attacks and get butterflies and I'd have to push the fight from my mind. Then my hands were wrapped and my coach was holding mits and I realized I was ready for this fight. All the nerves just went away, I was calm and ready to do what I had to do to win. And winning felt awesome! I was on cloud nine!
7. Who are some of your role models?
I really like Miesha Tate. She's a great wrestler and that's what I need to become. My grandma O'Neil has become a huge role model to me, she's a very strong woman, and I hope to grow to be half the woman she is. Of course my mom and dad have been role models for me since I was child. They have stood by me and supported me with every decision, even though they have disagreed with some, they allow me to make mistakes and are always there to pick me up and dust me off.
8. Women's MMA is growing in popularity with Bellator, Strikeforce, XFC & Invicta showcasing female fighters. The UFC has signed Ronda Rousey, Miesha Tate & other fighters to form a 135 pound division. What do you think of this and women's MMA becoming mainstream?
What a great opportunity women now have!! I know alot of women have been waiting and preparing for this change for a long time now and are finally getting the chance they have definitely earned! Women's MMA I think is going to get huge, alot of people I talk to say that women fight more aggressively.
9.What are your plans for the future?
I want to fight! I plan on fighting for as long as it's fun. If I can turn pro in a year or two that would be fantastic. Fighting is something I enjoy doing, so I'm going to fight as much as I can! I'm not sure when my next fight will be, I'm hoping either January or February, but there's nothing for sure yet.
I'm a 21 years old, 135lb, ammy fighter with a 1 - 0 record, fighting for Damage Inc. in Johnstown, Pa.
2. How did you get started in MMA?
When I moved to Johnstown, my roommate/teammate, Mel said there was an MMA gym downtown and she asked if I wanted to go check it out with her. I had seen a couple fights on TV before and knew what MMA was but never really got into it, but I told her I'd check it out with her. After the first few weeks MMA turned out to be something I really love and enjoy.
3. What is it like being a woman training in MMA?
My roommate trains at the gym with me, but her and I are it as far as other female fighters go. The guys at Damage Inc. are awesome. It's a great training environment. I have alot of respect for them, and appreciate that they don't treat me with girly gloves. They train with me like a fighter instead of like a girl. I think getting to train with more guys than girls gives me a little bit of an edge and prepares me mentally to go in the ring without being intimidated by my opponent.
4. What do you feel your strengths are as a fighter?
I love working hard and learning new skills. I don't quit when things get hard or I get banged up and bruised. I'm not good at losing and I'm determined to make my coaches, family, and friends proud of me.
5. What aspects of your training do you feel you need to work on to become a more complete fighter?
My ground game definitely needs some work. It's something totally different then any sport I've done before and it's difficult for me to grasp sometimes. I need to spend more time working submissions and just getting comfortable with that aspect of MMA.
6. You recently won your debut at Complete Devastation 7 in the first female MMA fight in the Altoona/Johnstown/St College area. How did that feel?
The win was totally surreal. I didn't really believe I was going to fight in that cage until my walkout music started playing. I was nervous for probably a month before the fight, everyday I got a little more and more nervous. I tried not to focus on the fight itself and just think mostly about training. The day of fight I'd have these little panic attacks and get butterflies and I'd have to push the fight from my mind. Then my hands were wrapped and my coach was holding mits and I realized I was ready for this fight. All the nerves just went away, I was calm and ready to do what I had to do to win. And winning felt awesome! I was on cloud nine!
7. Who are some of your role models?
I really like Miesha Tate. She's a great wrestler and that's what I need to become. My grandma O'Neil has become a huge role model to me, she's a very strong woman, and I hope to grow to be half the woman she is. Of course my mom and dad have been role models for me since I was child. They have stood by me and supported me with every decision, even though they have disagreed with some, they allow me to make mistakes and are always there to pick me up and dust me off.
8. Women's MMA is growing in popularity with Bellator, Strikeforce, XFC & Invicta showcasing female fighters. The UFC has signed Ronda Rousey, Miesha Tate & other fighters to form a 135 pound division. What do you think of this and women's MMA becoming mainstream?
What a great opportunity women now have!! I know alot of women have been waiting and preparing for this change for a long time now and are finally getting the chance they have definitely earned! Women's MMA I think is going to get huge, alot of people I talk to say that women fight more aggressively.
9.What are your plans for the future?
I want to fight! I plan on fighting for as long as it's fun. If I can turn pro in a year or two that would be fantastic. Fighting is something I enjoy doing, so I'm going to fight as much as I can! I'm not sure when my next fight will be, I'm hoping either January or February, but there's nothing for sure yet.
10. Is there anyone you'd like to thank?
There's a bunch of people that deserve some credit for my win at Complete Devastation 7. First and foremost, Troy Yania. Troy put in a lot of time teaching me to fight. He taught me alot of what I know and I look forward to learning more and more from him. He's been a great coach! Then there's my coaches, Blaine Balicki, Kevin Cosgrove, B.J. McCleester, and Frank Armstrong, who have prepared me way more than I knew. Of course my teammates Brandon Lux (he played a big part in preparing me for this fight), Zack Bryd, and Mel Bremer, and all the rest of those that train at Damage Inc. Finally I'd like to thank my dad, my little sister and all my friends who came out to the fight to support me!
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| O'Neil Vs. Kern from CD7 (Taken by RobLynn.org) |
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| Maggie O'Neil Training at Damage Inc. in Johnstown, Pa. |
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| Maggie with her opponent from CD7 - Courtney Kern |
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| Maggie & Courtney Kern waiting for the official decision |
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| Maggie getting her hand raised in victory |
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| Maggie with Complete Devastation Cage Girls Alyssa (l) and Courtney (r) |
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| Interview with Albert Cameron of the MMA RunDown |
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| Maggie being interviewed by Leanna Meiser of MMA Cage Night |
Pre-fight interview with the MMA RunDown
Post-fight interview with Leanna Meiser of MMA Cage Night
One photo was taken by Rob Lynn of RobLynn.Org and video comes from the MMA RunDown & MMA Cage Night's YouTube channels. Visit their websites & support them!
