Hit Like a Girl

Image courtesy of USAbudo.com

Kat poses from a promotional shot.

From double axels to spinning back fists, Kat Thomas is driven to prove “hitting like a girl” should be considered the highest compliment.

A former high-level figure skater, Kat isn’t just used to competition, she’s fueled by it. Sitting down to chat with TFC, Kat looked back at the transition from Ice Princess to Head Kick Specialist.

It doesn’t take more than a quick glance around Kat’s room to see how important competition is to her. Her walls are draped in medals and ribbons, none showing a number higher than 3^rd. Trophies are stacked on a giant display case in the corner of the room. Figure skating had consumed Kat’s life from age 8 until 18, the age she finally got fed up hearing “you hit like a girl” as an insult.

            “I knew I had more strength in my legs than most of the guys yelling this “insult” at me. I was a high level athlete, but since I was also a girl, these guys looked down on me. I decided then and there to step away from the ice and learn about fighting.”

Kat after a training session.

Now 22 years old, Kat has earned the nickname “Kryptonite” and is considered one of the better fighters at her club. The transition from figure-skating to kickboxing seems like a strange one, but Kat explained how useful her skating background was.

           

            “I already had great balance, core strength and flexibility. Those are all skills that take quite a while to build up, which slows the development of some fighters. Fortunately, I had a solid base when I started training, so I could focus more of my time and energy on learning technique.

Kat didn’t just learn the technique quickly; she applied it in the ring almost as fast. After only 6 months of training, Kat had her first fight; an experience she said was more daunting than any figure skating competition.

            “As someone who had competed from a young age, I figured my nerves were like steel, that I wouldn’t get nervous before a big event anymore. I was so very wrong. Walking into the ring for my first fight was more nerve-wracking than my biggest figure skating competition ever was. Knowing you are about to get hit – many times – takes a special type of mental preparation that you can’t understand until you experience it.”

“Kryptonite” walked out of her first fight victorious, and has continued that streak for many fights since. Kat hopes that one day the ribbons on her wall will be replaced by Championship Belts. 

Until then, Kryptonite is proud to walk into the ring, bow to her opponent, and Hit Like a Girl.

UFC 196 WALK THE WALK

UFC 196 is just a few days away and the MMA community is absolutely electric. On March 5th, the two main events feature some of the most exciting fighters in the game, who also happen to be a few of my favourite fighters. In honour of the big event, TFC presents a special Fight Night preview.

Co-Main Event: Holly Holm vs Miesha Tate

Holly Holm (left) stares down opponent Miesha Tate (right)
Picture from UFC.com

Holly Holm shocked the world and shot into stardom after a dramatic KO victory over previously undefeated Ronda Rousey. Her headkick knockout won Holly the Women’s Bantam weight title, something her opponent Miesha Tate has failed to do one two separate occasions, both against Ronda Rousey.

Stylistically, the advantage in this fight goes to Holly Holm.

A former kickboxer, Holly trains with Mike Winkeljohn, one of the best fight coaches in the game. Winkeljohn trained fighters are known for lightning fast footwork and never-ending cardio. Add in Holly’s devastating power and this fight could be over quickly, unless Miesha Tate can use her strength and rock-solid chin to eat shots and wear Holm down. 

TFC gives this fight to Holly Holm, with a second round TKO.

Main Event: Conor McGregor vs Nate Diaz

Conor McGregor (left) vs Nate Diaz (right)
Picture from The Bleacher Report

Talk The Talk, Walk The Walk:

The main event is a battle between two of the best talkers in the UFC. Mega-star and Featherweight champ Conor McGregor is known for getting into his opponents head with spectacular amounts of trashtalk. His opponent Nate Diaz has a reputation as a “bad boy of MMA,” who uses trash talk during the fight to throw his opponent off.

These guys don’t just have skilled tongues, though.

McGregor KO’d long time Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo in 13 seconds, something many thought couldn’t be done.

Diaz has very impressive striking and posses a wealth of BJJ knowledge, something that could be a factor in the fight.

TFC sees this fight either ending early with a McGregor KO, or Diaz by submission in the later rounds.
For an official predication, TFC gives this fight to Conor McGregor via second round KO.

The Champ Is Here

Not everyone that trains kickboxing dreams of becoming a Champion.  For most, getting into shape and learning technique is exactly what they’re looking for. That isn’t the case for Cody Ridout. Cody had dreams of Gold.

North American Kickboxing poster.

 TFC sat down with North American Kickboxing Champion Cody Ridout to look back on his road to success.

A former high-level football player, Cody had quite the athletic base before starting his training. Football had given him strength, agility and confidence; tools that would be very useful for a new kickboxer. Cody believes it was this base that allowed him to step into the ring for the first time after only four months of training. He described the experience for TFC:

“Standing in the ring was the most out of place I've ever felt. Looking across at a guy who had done this before, I just tried to look like I wasn't scared. I Pictured the guys on TV. "What do I do? Should I look tough? Look like I'm relaxed and don't care? Do I bounce around on my toes and get fired up right now?"

Cody had has hand raised in victory after a gruelling 3 rounds. Feeling more tired and sorer than after any football game, Cody knew he’d found his sport.

Cody celebrating a knockout win.

Cody was quick to point out that in fighting, you usually learn more from a loss than a win. Losing is not an enjoyable experience, both physically and mentally. However, Cody used a big knockout loss to help his body find another gear and reach a new level of success.

“Before my biggest fight I felt like I had to win. I lost badly 5 weeks before at a national tournament so I felt like I couldn't lose twice, I had to win this one, this was for the North American Title against a guy I've seen fight before. He was big and strong but I knew he lifted a lot of weights so I thought I could have a speed and skill advantage. That was my biggest test of not worrying about what my opponent looks like. I had to think about me and what I had to do, I learned a lot that day. After winning it was a huge feeling of relief. Seeing my opponent quit and walk back to his corner in the second round as the referee waved his arms in the air to call the end of the fight didn't seem real. Having my hand raised in Toronto as the North American champion is my biggest accomplishment in any sport I've played.”

Cody Ridout wins the North American Kickboxing Championship

Becoming The Bat

Inside the Dojo Syed trained at in Okinawa.

The Caped Crusader

Syed trains using his Tonfa.

Syed Hussain wanted to be a Super-Hero.  

Like many children, a young Syed was obsessed with the Batman.

He wasn’t drawn to the flashy lifestyle of Bruce Wayne, or the gadgets of the Caped Crusader; Syed was fascinated by Batman’s dedication to Martial Arts. A fascination that continued to grow until Syed left his hometown for University.

Starting The Journey

At age 18, Syed was finally able to fulfill the lifelong dream of beginning his own Martial Arts training.  He joined a dojo in St. Catharines and began his journey as a white belt.

Syed focused on a style called Meibukan Karate, which means "house of the pure minded warrior." 

His Martial Arts training instilled a confidence Syed had never experienced before, both physically and mentally. This confidence helped Syed reach new levels of success at University, where he graduated from Brock university. His newfound confidence was also seen in his training as Syed continued to improve at a dramatic pace. Then, at age 22, Syed embarked on a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Syed at a temple in Okinawa.

Okinawa

While holding his Brown Belt and preparing to test for his Black Belt, Syed took his training to the next level by heading to Okinawa, Japan, the birthplace of Karate. While training with Masters in the art of Martial Arts, Syed was able to learn new techniques and increase his mental fortitude, two crucial elements needed to attain his Black Belt.

Syed Hussain may not have Batman’s gadgets, but they both look good in Black.

Bowing In

Rachel's Dojo - Black Lotus Kickboxing

The Beginning

Slip. Counter.

Rachel Hodges works on the bag.

For kickboxer Rachel Hodges, these terms meant something completely different before she walked into a dojo.  Then a 19-year-old college student and waitress, Rachel spent the majority of her time serving drinks or studying, very far from the world of kickboxing.  Now a 21-year-old with in-ring experience, Rachel joined The Fighter’s Corner to look back at her experience as a kickboxer.

Bowing In

Rachel began dating a kickboxing student and after watching a few classes, decided to give it a shot. Like many, part of the draw was to get in better shape before beach season. It doesn’t take many viewings to realize that training gets you in very good physical condition. However, Rachel said it was the chance to challenge herself that really pushed her into bowing in.

According to Rachel, that’s what training is, in many ways. Challenging oneself to do something you never thought you could. Do that pull-up, hit that head-kick, run another lap when you thought you would fall over 2 laps ago. These challenges brought Rachel onto the floor, and overcoming them kept her there.

Competition

After a year of steady training, Rachel signed up for her first official competition. It was a modified competition, designed to help new fighters get in ring experience without getting injured. The new fighters were paired with more experienced competitors who could control their strikes, while still pushing the tempo.

Rachel knew this was the perfect opportunity to overcome a new challenge, competing in the ring. Feeling terrified, nervous, sweaty and excited, Rachel bowed to her opponent and began her fight.

“Slip! Counter!”

Rachel heard her cornerman shouting instructions and reacted instinctively. These words, foreign just one year ago, now guided Rachel around her opponents strikes as she landed her own. 3 rounds later, Rachel stood in the ring with her hand raised, overcoming one goal while already creating another.

According to Rachel, that's what training is.