Crisano hails from Middletown, a small town in the Catskill region of New York. She played a number of sports growing up, including baseball, softball, and field hockey, before discovering her true passion, wrestling. In High School, Crisano joined the all male wrestling team. She became the first female wrestler ever in Section 9 to win a varsity match against a male wrestler other than by forfeit. Cassie went from wrestling novice to finishing second at the first Women’s National Wrestling tournament in Albuquerque, NM. She was also the 138lb New York State women’s champion and finished second at the Northeast Regional’s in Syracuse, NY. She posted an impressive 20-2 record. Crisano continued wrestling outside of High School competing in recreational tournaments on the East Coast.
In 2002 life threw Cassie another curve ball, when she was involved in an auto accident that nearly ended her life. As she has so many other times, rather than accepting defeat, she accepted this challenge and decided it was time to return to the mats. After a long road of rehabilitation, in 2009 she returned to the mats, and is now preparing to make her professional debut as an MMA Fighter October 13, 2012 at the Dover Downs Casino in Dover Delaware. Crisano who once made her mark on the mat in her native New York is ready to make her mark in the cage for the world
We recently caught up with Cassie for the interview below while she prepares for her pro debut.
How did you get involved in MMA and how long have you been training?
-I have been training in MMA for almost four years but started wrestling at 14 in high school.
Where are you currently training, and what's a typical training week like for you?
-Noels Smith BJJ in Glen Burnie, MD and Predator MMA in Bear, DE, as well as working with strength and conditioning coach Danny Kelley with Commitment Fitness in Easton, MD.
Tell us about your upcoming fight, who you're fighting and where?
-October 13, 2012 at Dover Downs Casino in Dover Delaware for CFFC (Cage Fury Fighting Championships) against a Janice Meyer for my pro debut. This will be televised via Comcast and streamed live thru the CFFC website.
What is your best experience as a fighter? What is your worst?
-My best experience as a fighter is the fans. The amount of support and inspiration I feel when a child comes up to me and tells me they are my biggest fan and they want to be just like me one day. What they don’t know is that they are the ones that in fact inspire me to do what I am doing. They give me hope that what I am trying to accomplish has meaning and that as much as I’m inspired I’m able to give it back in return.
-My worst experience as a fighter was when I first started fighting I had to deal with a couple unprofessional promotions that has made me have to put up a high guard when dealing with anyone in this sport.
What advice would you give to other women who are reading this interview and want to get started in MMA?
-Never let anyone tell you, you can’t do something. MMA is not just a sport it’s a way of life. Being a fighter is not just physical but also mental. You have to love what you do to be able to do it well.
What are some of the hurdles that you think Women in MMA need to overcome before Women's MMA will be considered a top level sport like Men's MMA is today?
-Well the problem with women in MMA is that there are just not enough of us to be able to take it to the next level as the men. There are too many women that want to be classified as "A FIGHTER" but the skill level of being a well rounded fighter is just not there. The talent pool is just not big enough yet. So when a one trick pony pops up from out of nowhere they become a rising star which ultimately in the end makes women’s MMA look like it’s a joke.
When do you think we will see women divisions in the UFC?
-Lol I don’t think I should go there just yet.
What or who are your inspirations in MMA and life?
-My inspirations in life are my parents. My parents taught me to work hard for everything that I achieve in life and to never take anything for granted. They have instilled in me that sometimes in life things don’t go as planned. The difference between what makes you successful or a flop is how you take those things and deal with them. Welcome challenges because God does not throw challenges at us that he does not think we are capable of overcoming. Believe they are tests for us when we have our own self doubts and they are meant to remind us that we can push through anything because he gave us the strength to be able to. Those that do not believe fail themselves. There is no impossible or poor pity me because I was not capable, only weak people because they choose to be weak. Not everyone is fortunate to have come from wealthy backgrounds and never know what it’s like to have to truly work for something. Do not admire or wish to be like them. Do not be jealous. Have sympathy for those because they will never know what true meaning or value is. They will NEVER know their true self. That being said when faced with a challenge welcome it and battle it for it is a gift that a lot of people don’t ever really get to appreciate the true meaning of.
Tell us about your modeling background and any MMA related features or shoots as well?
-Just recently signed with CONCEDE to be the spokes model for their female clothing and gear line. I am currently working on a documentary with CNN which is set to air following my professional debut.
How do you enjoy your free time when not training or fighting?
-I spend a lot of my free time with my family. I love the outdoors, camping, hiking, fishing and 4-wheeling.
Of course we have a few questions for the male readership as well.
What do you look for in a guy?
-He has to be taller than me ; )
What are your turn-ons?
-Conversation, he has to have a brain :)
What are your turnoffs?
-Shaved arms and legs on a man.
What would you say is your best feature?
-My legs.
Any future plans or dreams?
-Taking over the 135 lb title.
Any shout outs you would like to make?
-I would like to thank all my schools, sponsors and fans that believe in me.
Thank you very much for your time Cassie and really looking forward to your pro debut this Saturday. For the latest news on Cassie be sure to visit her website, Facebook and Twitter pages.
Unfortunately this fight was cancelled.
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