How did you get involved in MMA and how long have you been training?
-My father rough-housed with me and my sibling as I grew up, but I began learning jiu-jitsu as we started watching MMA on television. During the first female fight held in the UFC when Ronda Rousey fought, my dad mentioned that I could pursue a sport such as MMA, to which I scoffed. However, for purposes of seeing if I was good and to learn self-defense, as soon as I was old enough to drive, I began going to a gym to learn BJJ. Once I started excelling in the sport, I decided to begin competing, so I switched gyms and went to Springfield Fight Club at 16 years old, where I still train today. As soon as I turned 18, I began training MMA, not just BJJ, and had my first fight within weeks. The passion and rush I felt has stayed with me ever since!
What's a typical training week like for you?
-I basically live in my gym, which is Springfield Fight Club. I train about 3 times a day, 5 days a week during fight camp, train Saturday morning, and typically take Sunday off. Monday and Wednesday are focused more on nogi BJJ, while Tuesdays and Thursdays are more focused on kickboxing and traditional BJJ in the gi. Fridays are the hardest practices, where everything goes. It is more of a fighter-based class with everything mixed and transitioning together. Saturdays are more of a wrestling style. On the side I will do sprints, jog to the gym from college or ride my bicycle, lift weights, and do strength and cardio sessions before practice. The hot tub and sauna are regular visits as well!
Tell us about your upcoming fight, who you're fighting and where?
-My next fight is this coming Saturday, July 15th at the Scottish Rite Temple in Kansas City, Missouri on the Invicta FC 24 card. It will be against black belt and world champion in BJJ, Gabby Romero.
What is your best experience as a fighter? What is your worst?
-Getting a call from Invicta to make my pro début with them and sign a contract after just turning 19 was by far one of the highlight moments of my life. My best experience during fighting though is the feeling I get every time I win but the most awesome experience was my most recent fight when my father grabbed the cage and I ran to him only to hear his cheers of excitement. As any onlooker could see, I got a little emotional. However, my worst experience as a fighter did not elicit the same emotion. With a high as good as getting your hand raised at the end and feeling all of your hard work accumulate into something great, the low of losing is just as impacting. My first, and only, loss thus far was when I was an amateur and was flown out to Colorado. The intention for me going up there was to give their local girl a step up before going pro. Unfortunately, I obliged. It was a horrible feeling after losing by decision, and I have worked on everything mentally and physically since to keep that from happening again.
What advice would you give to other women who are reading this interview and want to get started in MMA?
-As a female myself, I find BJJ and MMA to be very important for self-defense and I would encourage any person, not just women, to at least learn basics. However, getting punched in the face is not for everyone, but knowing a ground game to fend off attackers or even the workout that comes with practicing a sport such as mixed martial arts is wholly beneficial. I say: try it, stick to it. You are always going to have someone better than you, just be better than yourself and grow every day! If you are a woman already interested in fighting, my advice is to do something that is different, be unique, if you want to be recognized. And get used to being the nail; in practice, I am typically the smallest, one of the weakest, and usually the only woman, which actually helps me. Don’t get discouraged by losses, especially in practice. Training with bigger stronger better people makes women your own size much easier to handle.
What or who are your inspirations in MMA and life?
-In life, my daddy is the biggest inspiration for me! My father has made a successful life for himself with the blessings God has granted him, despite the challenges he faced throughout. He is always there to guide me in the right direction and has always been my number one and my best friend and protector. However, in the MMA world, Georges St. Pierre has amazing technique and style, Brian Stann has my utmost respect for his devotion to the military, charities, and the Lord, along with any others who spread their Christianity by living right. Tecia Torres is also a great athlete in the women’s division, and I like Miesha Tate’s attitude and dynamic fighting style.
How do you enjoy your free time when not training or fighting?
-What free time!? Actually...I currently attend Drury University, double-majoring in psychology and sociology while finishing my undergraduate studies within three years. I am on the Drury Honors Program, and am also a member of the Drury Men’s Wrestling Team. I work full time at Cracker Barrel currently as a waitress, but those are kind of required. The rare instances I do get free time, it is spent with my family on our farm, planning for the future, alone drawing for my business Art of the Maverick, writing, or reading a book, or with my head on my pillow taking advantage of sweet sleep. And I’m always up for participating in any kind of athletic outdoorsy activity too, especially one involving competition or hands-on combat.
Lastly before we let you go we would love to hear about your future plans and let you send some shout outs.
Any future plans or dreams?
-I am going straight to a doctorate program from my bachelor’s. I will study industrial psychology and the end game is to become a business consultant, become a lead in the marketing and advertising side of business, or perhaps even delve into human resources. In the MMA world, my life dream is to be the UFC world champion of the strawweight and/or flyweight division!
Any shout outs you would like to make?
-My dad is the most influential person to me at every turn, but to give credit where credit is due, my two main coaches and corners from Springfield Fight Club have helped mold this glob of clay. Nathan Stamburski is the man who has orchestrated the fine points of getting me into MMA, as well as trained me from rock bottom in standup, figuring out all my flaws and weaknesses, and capitalizing on them before my opponent does. Brett Welcome, my other coach, on the other end of the martial arts spectrum, in my mind anyway, is the person who critiques my ground game, and always plays the role of father-figure, trying to point out negatives and reality to keep me focused. All of my other coaches and training partners have shown me enormous amounts of support as I continue to climb the ladder, assisting me in pushing myself and improving my game in every aspect.
-I want to thank my sponsors: Hayabusa, GRRRL, Fighter Alias, Persuasive Apparel, Midtowne Dental, MMA Roadhog, Waldron Realty, Gillispie Concrete, and other friends who have donated time, funds, and gear to helping me move on in my MMA career!
-And as always, Glory to God!
Thank you very much for your time Miranda and good luck on fight night! Click here for more event information including tickets and send your shout outs to Miranda on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!
Posted on July 13, 2017 by www.babesofmma.com
Miranda Maverick defeated Gabby Romero via unanimous decision (30-26, 29-28, 30-27).
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