10 Questions With "Little" Patricia Vidonic

"Little" Patricia Vidonic

"Little" Patricia Vidonic is many things. A wife, a mother, and a warrior. She is an up-and-coming fighter in Women's MMA, and tonight at Bellator 84 she gets a rematch against her XFC 17 opponent - Felice "Lil Pitbull" Herrig. That fight was my first chance to see Patricia Vidonic in action. I liked her style & personally I felt she won that fight. The judges didn't agree, and Herrig was awarded the win by unanimous decision. "Little" Patricia took the chance to fight Herrig again on short notice (just 10 days) after Herrig's original opponent, Michele Gutierrez allegedly injured herself and had to pull out of the fight. (something Herrig had been calling a "fake" injury to avoid fighting her - for whatever reason) 

After her fight with Herrig at XFC 17 I began to follow Vidonic and her MMA career, She has an incredible story - and I "The Vidonic Chronicles" she posts over at ProMMAnow.com often. Tonight's fight is something I have been looking forward to for awhile, and you should definitely tune into the Bellator 84 fights tonight on MTV2. 

I have wanted to interview Vidonic for awhile, and I was lucky enough to get that chance this week. I didn't want to bother her as she was preparing for what is most likely her biggest fight to date, but she was gracious enough to spare some time for me so that this article could happen. I wish her well for the fight tonight. I would say "Good Luck" but I know it's more about hard work & preparation than 'luck' - but I hope tonight end up being a good one for Vidonic.

If you have a chance, definitely check out her blog - "Little" Patricia Vidonic is someone worth knowing, as a person and a fighter, Check out this Patricia Vidonic interview of her over at the Official XFC page prior to her original fight with Herrig

Here's 10 questions with "Little" Patricia Vidonic.

1. Tell us a little about yourself.

I'm "Little" Patricia, I am a 115lb Pro Female MMA fighter with a record of 7-3. I am fighting on the Main Card for Bellator 84! I am in Billings Montana and I train with my team, Team Vidonic.

2. How did you get started in MMA?

I have always been athletic, I played softball and in high school I was on the Olympic Weightlifting Team. Since I went to high school, like a million years ago, they wouldn't let me be on the wrestling team, that was the next best thing. Loved it and I love Oly lifting at the gym still!

3. What is it like having your husband be your head coach & manager for your MMA career?

It's been working great for 4 years now. I have to say, who else would have your "best" interest in mind, but your significant other? It's always been this way, we are a great team and I feel like it's an advantage.


4. What do you feel your strengths are as a fighter?

My ground game is my strength, everyone knows that. I'm working a lot on rounding myself out, it's coming along.


5. What aspects of your training do you feel you need to work on to become a more complete fighter?

I started MMA when I was 29, I never boxed, wrestled or had done any type of martial arts before all of this 4 years ago. So everything I have learned has been in that time, I want to be the best fighter I can be, so I tell myself I need to work everything.

6. You recently got signed to replace Michele Gutierrez against Felice Herrig for Bellator 84. How do feel about facing Herrig again?

Yes, I was offered a short notice (10 days) fight with Felice, being a rematch and I feel awesome about it, thanks for asking! I have been beating myself up about that fight since it happened, I know what I did wrong and I couldn't be happier to vindicate my loss in the 2nd largest promotion in the world! I am training all the time, and this is a perfect example of why.


7. Who are some of your role models?

My  #1 role model in life is my late mother. She was a kind, giving, caring person who I lost when I was 15. I hope everyday that I make her proud.

8. Women's MMA is growing in popularity (because of promotions showcasing women's MMA like Bellator, Strikeforce, XFC & Invicta) what do you think of women's MMA becoming more mainstream?

I think that women's MMA becoming mainstream is the best thing for it! We just need promotions with integrity and value. I hope to someday fight for the UFC, for now I am grateful for Bellator!


9. The UFC has signed Ronda Rousey, Miesha Tate & other fighters to form a 135 pound division, what do you think of this and what are your plans for the future?

My goal is like any other fighters, to make it to the UFC, and now it's possible!

10. Is there anyone you'd like to thank?

I want to thank my fans, family and friends for your continued support! Thank you to Sensei Dan at the 4th Ave Dojo, Clint and Katie at Alternative Athletics Crossfit, my coach/husband and my teammate Ferg for sweating it out with me each and every day! Thanks to all of my sponsors ~ Training Mask ~ Polanti Watches ~ Nutrabio.com ~ Damage control Mouthguards ~ A-Anderson BailBonds ~ Black Sparrow Tattoo Club ~ Solo Graphics ~ ProMMANow.com

You can follow me on Twitter ~ @LilPatriciamma
Facebook ~ Little Patricia
Website ~ www.PatriciaVidonic.com
Check out my Vidonic Chronicles on ProMMANow.com

"Little" Patricia Vidonic

Bellator 84 debut

 

"Little" Patricia Vidonic - And It's All For This

10 Questions With Tecia Torres

Tecia "The Tiny Tornado" Torres

Tecia Torres got started in martial arts at a very young age. When she was 5 years old her mom enrolled her in Karate, and by the time she was 13 Tecia earned her Black Belt. She took time off from martial arts at 17 when she began college (she graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology at age 20) but only a year later she discovered Muay Thai fighting and she regained her interest in martial arts. In High School she participated in varsity soccer and has held 7 titles for fighting as an amateur. Tecia is a 4 time World Kickboxing champion and has won 3 titles as an amateur in MMA.

Being just 5'1" tall and fighting in the 115 lb division for MMA, she has been called "The Tiny Tornado" and after remaining undefeated in 7 amateur fights she made the transition to the pro ranks with a win over Kaiyana Rain at InvictaFC 3 back in October. She is scheduled to face Paige "12 Gauge" VanZant at InvictaFC 4 in January for her second professional MMA fight. 

Tecia is an amazing, multidimensional person, and an incredible fighter. She trains with other top-notch MMA fighters (both male & female) at American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Florida. She is an exciting fighter and someone with a bright future ahead of her. Do yourself a favor and watch her on January 5th at InvictaFC 4. The promotion has a reputation for putting on some of the most amazing & exciting fights in MMA, and every fight at InvictaFC 3 could have been on the main card for a PPV event. 

Tecia is an up-and-coming fighter you'll be hearing alot about in the weeks/months to come - if you haven't already. Recently I had the honor & privilege to ask her a few questions, and I hope you enjoy reading about Tecia as I did in interviewing her.

Here's 10 Questions with Tecia "The Tiny Tornado" Torres.

1. Tell us a little about yourself. 

I am 23, I fight in the 115lb straw-weight division. As a professional Women's MMA fighter I am 1-0. As an amateur I was 7-0. I am currently signed with Invicta Fighting Championships, an all-female pro MMA organization. I fight out of American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Fl.


2. How did you get started in MMA?

In '95 I began Karate when I was 5 years old. That transitioned in Kickboxing at the age of 18. After 20 Muay Thai bouts, and receiving a blue belt in BJJ I decided to give MMA a try in September 2011. Since then I've been very successful and turned my focus onto MMA.


3. What is it like training at American Top Team?

I am among other pro female fighters at ATT, and I'd say that is my biggest advantage. Among those I train most with are India Gomes, Nina Ansaroff and Jessica Aguilar.


4. What do you feel your strengths are as a fighter?

I am unpredictable and very energetic. I don't like staying still. I tend to favor my standup but I am willing to work the ground game if needed. I am fast and strong for 115 lbs. I am entertaining.


5. What aspects of your training do you feel you need to work on to become a more complete fighter?

Of course my Jiu-Jitsu and wrestling, because it is the newest aspect of my game. Ive always been standup until the most recent years.


6. After winning your pro debut against Kaiyana Rain at InvictaFC3 and you are set to face Paige VanZant at InvictaFC 4 on January 5th. What are your thoughts on this fight?

My fight with Kaiyana went exactly how I played it out in my head. She is a very tough and talented fighter, but I was able to play to my strengths and come out with the W. I believe my fight with Paige will be much like my debut, she seems like a striker so I think she will try and stand with me striking, but end up clinching and tryout my ground game if she is successful with a takedown. I am ready for all that she has.


7. Who are some of your role models?

Role models in life would be my mother for persevering thru all the rough times we went thru growing up, yet always loving me more than life itself. In MMA I tend to look up to the fighters who fight for positive reasons, not for fame or money, but because they love the art of the sport.


8. Women's MMA is growing in popularity (because of promotions showcasing women's MMA like Bellator, Strikeforce, XFC & Invicta) what do you think of Women's MMA becoming more mainstream?

I love it. Women's MMA is able to impact the lives of many in so many positive ways. We encourage young girls to be who they want to be, inspire women and young ladies to learn self-defense, some even become fighters themselves. Women are just as entertaining as men and often we steal the show. We are very technical and talented, now we are getting a platform to show our skills and breaking barriers, opening minds to a new wave and era of MMA.


9. The UFC has signed Ronda Rousey, Miesha Tate & other fighters to form a 135 pound division, what do you think of this and what are your plans for the future?

I am happy the UFC is finally getting on board with Women's MMA, but this is only after Invicta Promotion has begun and had 3 very successful shows. Nonetheless we are spreading the word and people are listening and watching. My plans are to become the best possible fighter I can be. First Id like to make it to the top 10 of my weight class world-wide. Once I'm there I will be happy and know Ive made it and an impression in the sport.


10. Is there anyone you'd like to thank?

I'd like to thank anyone and everyone who has ever helped me in my career dating back to '95. My family, friends, and my faith in Jesus Christ.

"The Tiny Tornado" Tecia Torres

InvictaFC 3 poster

Tecia with InvictaFC3 opponent Kaiyana Rain

Celebrating the victory at InvictaFC 3

Tecia at a Bellator event

Tecia (r) with Jessica "Evil" Eye

Tecia at Carlson Gracie - Miami

Tecia Torres Vs. Paige VanZant at InvictaFC 4

InvictaFC 4 fight card (card subject to change)

InvictaFC 4 featuring Tecia Torres Vs. Paige VanZant

Tecia Torres Vs. Kaiyana Rain - InvictaFC 3

Jose Santiago of InsidePunch.com interviewing Tecia about her MMA debut

Photos courtesy of http://www.TeciaTorres.com , http://www.InvictaFC.com and Tecia's Facebook pages. Videos are from InvictaFC's YouTube channel & the Inside Punch YouTube channel.

10 Questions with Clark Young

Clark Young - Mark Shrader MMA Fighter

One of my first MMA events I attended in Altoona was Complete Devastation 2 back on November 12, 2011. In either the first or the second fight of that event an HW out of Washington, Pa. making his amateur debut named Clark Young caught my attention as he won impressively by Unanimous Decision over Zack Byrd. I didn't realize it that night, but I also ran into Clark after his fight as he was walking around. I say I didn't realize it at the time because it took me until his third fight with Complete Devastation for me to make the connection between the beast I saw win in the cage and this unassuming, polite guy walking around with a big smile saying "Hi" to anyone who wanted to talk to him. Back at Complete Devastation 2 he actually shook my hand & said "Nice to meet you" (but he didn't say his name at the time, or if he did I don't remember that part) and I was impressed by how he handled himself that night & on the two successive events where he also won. Finally, at Complete Devastation 4 in Johnstown, Pa. did I realize that these two were the same person. If you watch the opening montage from the MMA RunDown you might recognize Clark Young from his fight at Complete Devastation 4 against Lance Phillips included in the footage.

Clark Young is definitely an amateur fighter that acts like a total professional - both in and out of the cage. I feel the sport needs more fighters like him, especially with the way some fighters have been seen conducting themselves outside the cage in regional/national MMA this year. Clark Young is humble, and polite... but he is also someone to be reckoned with inside the cage! If you attended Complete Devastation 3 you'll definitely remember his barn-burner Unanimous Decision win over Adam Smith-Urbany - where the rack of lights illuminating the cage was rocked (almost being knocked over) when Smith-Urbany was slammed into the cage by Young as he was attempting a takedown. If you didn't blink, you may remember his lightning fast 27 second submission by Kimura over Lance Phillips at Complete Devastation 4.

Simply put, Clark Young is a fighter to watch - and I see big things in his future if he continues developing his potential as an MMA fighter! 2013 could be the year of Clark Young, so if you have a chance to see him fight, by all means DO IT! See him fight locally before he turns pro & gets called up to the larger promotions... you can thank me later.

Recently I had the honor & privilege of interviewing Clark as he is preparing to fight for Gladiators of the Cage in Pittsburgh in January 2013. (I am also glad to hear that he is scheduled to fight again at Complete Devastation 8 in Altoona, Pa. on March 2, 2013) I am very impressed with him as a fighter and as a person, and I hope you enjoy this interview.

Here's 10 Questions With Clark Young.

1. Tell us a little about yourself.

Hey MMA fans. MY name is Clark Young. I am 27 years old, I live in Washington, Pa. I have been involved with this amazing sport for almost 6 years now. Currently I am an amateur fighter with a competitive record of 3-1 under the direction of Master Mark Shrader at Mark Shrader's Mixed Martial Arts Academy.

2. How did you get started in MMA?

Well, I grew up with an identical twin brother, Keith, and we fought a lot in our younger years. So, I guess you could say I got an early start. Later, I wrestled for 4 years on Trinity High Schools JV team, but didn't have any major accomplishments in the sport. Once I graduated high school I never wrestled again. Most of my interest in the sport came from watching it on TV. I was always a competitive person, but other than scrapping with Keith, I was not much of a fighter before signing up at Mark Shrader's MMA Academy.

3. Where do you train and how has this helped you in your MMA career?

Well, I do all my training in my humble little hometown of Washington, PA. The MMA Academy where I do my training is only about 10 minutes from my family's farm. So, it is quite convenient for me during the busy season at work, or on days i don't feel like driving to the gym. Other than training in all the aspects of MMA at the academy, I do my weight training at Veltri Fitness under the direction of Matt Veltri. Usually I work on my own but when I've got fights to get ready for, Matt is a very knowledgeable asset to have around to get my muscles into the best fight shape they can be in so that i have the endurance it takes to be a fighter. I also try to get about 3 miles under my running shoes as often as possible.

4. What do you feel are your strengths are as a fighter?

As a fighter I feel that my strength is my focus on technique and commitment to training. I came into this sport with little to no knowledge of boxing, Muay Thai or Jiu-Jitsu, or how these three individual disciplines meshed together to create the beautiful carnage we see today. My stand up definitely follows at a very close 2nd as boxing was my first true step into the sport. Over the years I have made it my goal to fine tune the other aspects of my fighting game. So far, I am very pleased with the progress I have made, but there is and will always be room for improvement.

5. What areas do you feel you still need to work on to become a more complete fighter?

This ones easy. I need to work on setting up my take downs a bit more, and probably on keeping my hands up as well. I tend to get a bit cocky when I notice that I'm winning the round or even just landing more punches. I have always prided myself on my stand up abilities and even my ground game, but when it comes to the transition between the two... I would say that is where I need the most work.

6. I see your amateur record is listed at 3-1. How many more amateur fights do you expect to have before you want to turn pro?

To be honest, I don't know. I really hope to go pro some day and to be able to make a name for myself in this sport, but I have been leaving most of the decision making to my coach. I have worked with Mark for a long time, and I trust that he has my best interests in mind when we schedule fights. In the past I think we considered 8-10 amateur fights before attempting to go pro, but I'm not sure if that has changed in his mind or not. I guess we will see after my next show.

7. You have had impressive wins for the Complete Devastation MMA promotion. What is next for you as a fighter?

Thanks to Robert Joseph and the people of the Gladiators of the Cage promotion, my next show will be on January 26, 2013 at Stage AE, in downtown Pittsburgh. I am really looking forward to this one. It really is an honor to be part of this event and be able to show the city of Pittsburgh what I have to offer in the MMA world. Other than that, I have an offer to fight under the Complete Devastation MMA promotion again in March, and really hope to be on that card as well. It would be fun to show the fight fans in Altoona how far I've come since they first watched me fight back in November of 2011, and I promise to bring a heck of a show.

8. Who are your role models?

In MMA every fighter out there, Pro or Amateur is a role model to me. There is a lot to say when someone is willing to devote their life and sometimes overall health to the sport they love. Otherwise, good role model is hard to find these days. More often than not I would have to say it would be, everyone and no one. What I mean by this is that everyone I have come into contact with in my life has had some impression on who I am today. My Mother, Debbie, has been such an asset to my life and I consider her to be my "warrior angel." Come on, any single mother who can raise a family of three with a set of rowdy twin boys like mine did has to have a warrior's spirit. Also, any and all of the men and women that serve in our nations military. I am truly honored to call each and every one of them my brothers and sisters in arms. Hooah, soldiers! Specially those of B Co 1-145th Infantry out of Cleveland, OH, and those of B Co. 1-110th Infantry out of Waynesburg, Pa., my brothers, my friends, and the finest unit I have had the pleasure of serving with these past 5 years.

9. What would you like to accomplish as a fighter?

As a fighter, I just hope to continue in the sport as long as I can. I hope to put on the best show of skill and technique possible each and every time I enter the cage. If by chance I ever decide to stop competing, I hope to be able to give back to the MMA community by passing of my knowledge of the sport to the new and upcoming fighters . For now though, My mind is focused on training for my upcoming events. The Gladiators of the Cage show at Stage AE on January 26, 2013 is going to be one for the books.

10. Is there anyone you'd like to thank?

First and foremost, to God be the Glory. I would be lost without such Supreme guidance. I've also got to thank my coach, Master Mark Shrader. I came to his gym as a blank slate with nothing more than a want to learn, and over the past few years he has helped and continues to mold me into the fighter I am today. I want to thank, Matt Veltri of Veltri Fitness for helping me increase my strength and agility as a fighter. To all my family and friends for all the love and support you have given me. It is you who keeps me going. To the fans... you make this dream a reality. Thank you. And... Finally, to the men and women in the armed forces, be it overseas or right here on home soil, God bless you all and thank you for your selfless service to this great Nation we call home. Hooah!!

With instructor Master Mark Shrader before a fight

Clark Young (r)

Clark Young Vs. Lance Phillips at CD4

And the fight is over - win by Kimura at 27 seconds of Round 1

After the win at Complete Devastation 4

The official decision at Complete Devastation 4

Celebrating the win with the Complete Devastation Cage Girls

Clark Young Vs. Zack Byrd at Complete Devastation 2

Clark Young Vs. Lance Phillips at Complete Devastation 4