Cagewriter - UFC

When talking to Roxanne Modafferi, it's hard not to get excited about MMA. She exudes a bubbliness about the sport that's not often seen among many of the jaded fighters. If you weren't excited about her scrap on Saturday night with Marloes Coenen, you will be after spending 15 seconds talking to her.

"I'm so happy, I talk about it [with a smile on her face] my favorite move is a triangle choke and it goes like this."

Her fight will be shown on the CBS card if time permits, though Strikeforce and CBS officials said that at the very least, highlights will be shown.

"It would be so cool to be on CBS," she said. "If I become more well-known, then people will be more willing to pay for me to come [and fight] because of my name. For example, with Kim Couture, if nobody knew about her, then she wouldn't get fights. But people know about her. I think this [chance to be on CBS] is less about fame, and more about if I become more well-known, I'll get more chances to fight."

Modafferi and Coenen share in a part of collegiality that is common among female fighters. She and Coenen have exchanged emails and are quite friendly with each other. Modafferi finds that women in MMA share a bond.

"I think there's two things. One is that we're in the same boat. We're striving to prove ourselves, in that we're in martial arts. That it's not 'women's martial arts' but it's martial arts that women do, too. We're all struggling in that sisterhood. And the other thing is a lack of testosterone."

But that sisterhood will not prevent her from punching her fellow fighters.

"I want to fight Sarah Kauffman. I want to fight everyone. Tara LaRosa. I really want that rematch. She said she's going to retire if she doesn't get a fight, and I want to fight her before she retires. Amanda Buckner, in Maine, no one is paying any attention to her. Shayna Baszler.
Miesha Tate. Everyone's staring at her beautifully shot pictures, but I want to give her a beat down. But I'll fight whoever Strikeforce wants me to fight."

Originally from Delaware, Modafferi lives in Japan and works full time as an English teacher. She stays connected to the U.S. fight scene through the internet, and even took some inspiration and coaching from what a fellow fighter said.

"Erin Toughill once posted on FighterGirls.com that I was an arm puncher, that I didn't turn my shoulders into it, and I thought, 'Goddamnit, she's right.' I got really depressed, but that really inspired me to get a coach and get better at it."

The most important thing for Modafferi at this point is to get more fights. With a win, she will have that chance as the winner of this fight will likely decide the number 1 contender spot for the Strikeforce women's title

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14 Comments

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  1. Peter D
    1. Posted by Peter D Fri Nov 06, 2009 3:19 pm EST

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    shes hot
  2. lee
    2. Posted by lee Fri Nov 06, 2009 3:49 pm EST

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    it's funny, I spent the last 10 minutes thinking how stupid people were for thinking fedor didn't look like a fighter, one look at her and I was like "Whoa, she fights?!?" I'm excited for women's mma, best of luck!!!!!
  3. Andrew
    3. Posted by Andrew Fri Nov 06, 2009 3:51 pm EST

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    Oh yea...she is smokin'....would love to see her and Miesha Tate go at it....
  4. David B
    4. Posted by David B Fri Nov 06, 2009 4:02 pm EST

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    Revenge of the Nerds ! Go Olive Oil !
  5. John
    5. Posted by John Fri Nov 06, 2009 4:59 pm EST

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    Subway.....eat fresh!!!!! I hope she does well, I can't talk I look like Harry Potter with a gi
  6. Caligulus
    6. Posted by Caligulus Fri Nov 06, 2009 6:33 pm EST

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    Roxy "The librarian"
  7. Steven W
    7. Posted by Steven W Sat Nov 07, 2009 2:00 pm EST

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    maggie....seriously? what's the deal? what was wrong with my comment? so if someone says anything besides this chick is hot they get deleted?
  8. Steven W
    8. Posted by Steven W Sat Nov 07, 2009 2:02 pm EST

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    and i wasn't even going to say anything the first time maggie....but since you feel the need to delete my comments, WAY TO GO STEALING CP'S ARTICLE.
    it's wise of you to frequent that site to learn some great mma writing, but come on....at least they have a sense of humor over there, can you copy that too?
  9. Steven W
    9. Posted by Steven W Sat Nov 07, 2009 2:03 pm EST

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    and i'll say it again....
    if you goons thinks she's hot then it's a good thing you have animated avatars because i'd hate to see what you guys look like
  10. Beaver Fever
    10. Posted by Beaver Fever Sat Nov 07, 2009 3:16 pm EST

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    Steven W @ 10 wrote: "and i'll say it again.... if you goons thinks she's hot then it's a good thing you have animated avatars because i'd hate to see what you guys look like"
    Now Steven, you must see that your comment is way over the top. Our discussions are always respectful of other participants in the discussions. We don't call each other names, or engage in personal attacks. Moreover, we never say anything disrespectful about mma fighters, especially not about any of the female fighters. I hope that clarifies things for you.
  11. Matt
    11. Posted by Matt Sat Nov 07, 2009 4:20 pm EST

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    She's awesome and she's going to whup that ass. Go Roxy!
  12. EvilGar
    12. Posted by EvilGar Sat Nov 07, 2009 4:31 pm EST

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    @Steven W: Yes, CagePotato and Cagewriter trade back and forth. Watch them both for a week and you will see the same stories on both sites, which I why I don't bother coming here too often, since CagePotato is considerably funnier, but I digrees.
    Now, while she may not be the prittiest fighter, she isn't some hideous beast either. I can see where, with a little prep work, she has potential. She isn't exactly wearing as flattering an outfit as Marloes, but some chicks are just like that. She wins this fight, guarantee she is dolled up for the next press conference. But you have to recognize, If you take 100 chicks, and you and 3 friends pick the 10 most attractive, that you likely wouldn't chose 3 of the same girls. What you think is hot isn't necessarily someone elses definition. That is neither a good or bad thing, as this chick is clearly a great person who is totally capable of whipping your ass, whether you think she is pretty or not.
  13. Scott
    13. Posted by Scott Sat Nov 07, 2009 9:43 pm EST

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    Good to hear they're toning down rimmy ramalo, at last.
  14. Steven W
    14. Posted by Steven W Sun Nov 08, 2009 1:05 pm EST

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    LOL, whatever geeks. if you swing that way then that's your perogative. and i may not be a professional fighter...but i do train consistently in all aspects. i weigh 185lbs and there's no way a 135lb female dungeon master is going to "whip my a$$" ok?
    and EvilGar....no sh!t they trade articles back and forth, hence the links on the right side of the page. and now that you mention it, it's never back and forth, it's only a one way thing. you never see articles on CP that originated from yahoo. and typically when yahoo takes one of their articles they give credit for it. not in this case, the concept of the article was taken along with a similar headline, and the words were changed to suit the author's liking...no credit due apparently.

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