Fight Night || Rousey vs. Correia

Tomorrow, August 1, 2015. Two undefeated female fighters. A combined 20 undefeated wins. “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey vs. “Pitbull” Bethe Correia. In a total Rocky IV moment, Ronda will be taking Correia on in her home country of Brazil.

This may not be boxing, but every female athlete should be interested in this fight. This is the “fight of the century” in more ways than one for female athletes.

These women are the main card of the UFC 190. It has been the most talked about female fight – for the pure fact that these women are at the top of their game, seasoned, undefeated athletes and for dramatic reasons surrounding each fighter’s personal backgrounds and words exchanged.

But…someone’s 0 has to go.

In the Octagon,  there’s a reason they write Rousey’s name in gold. To say that Ronda Rousey is a dominant UFC champion would be an amazing understatement. Her last 3 UFC fights have lasted all of…96 seconds. With an Olympic bronze medal in judo and a dozen armbars to her credit, Rousey has many strengths. No fighter is perfect. She has a predictable but unstoppable force of nature and game plan for her fights:

1. Close the distance with strikes.
2. Clinch when opponent gets in range.
3. Takedown.
4. Armbar.

Bethe Correia seems to know Ronda’s strong points: grappling, judo, any type of ground work, and of course the famous arm bar. She is known as a “striker.” This means she packs serious power punches and can also take some punches in the process. Bethe obviously knows this and has made multiple comments about “making Ronda not as pretty” and going for the face knockout. Then again, every one of Rousey‘s victims has talked a good game before having her arms wrenched, torso kneed and face punched in.

Watch as these two dominant women face-off.

My prediction: Rousey in Round 2

With the opportunity to lock in yet another quick submission off a clinch takedown, this one will be over within the two-and-a-half minutes in the second if Bethe is lucky.

Rousey has the upper hand on all accounts, even the intangibles. She may have holes in her fight game (like striking) but Correia is a terrible style matchup for the champion. Correia’s normal grinding game is a big invitation for a quick judo-throw takedown and armbar finish. And if the Brazilian tries to play it safe and stand with Rousey, the champ is going to close the distance and find a way to get the throw and submission. Correia is the type of fighter whose most popular method of victory has been grinding opponents down to a decision and she is going against one of the best finishers in the history of the sport.

Let’s go #TeamRowdy #AndStill #ArmBarNation

|| See you in the ring ||

AK47

July 31, 2015July 31, 2015 by ajkemon Categories: Arm Bar Nation, Boxing, Fight, Ronda Rousey, UFCTags: Arm Bar Nation, Bethe Correia, Boxing, Fight, Ronda Rousey, UFC Leave a comment

In the Ring

Mitt Session: June 2015

Every session is different. Every session is harder than the next. Keep moving, hands up, fighter’s stance, jab, slip, jab, jab. These are just the thoughts running through my head. And now my reactions have become quicker and my footwork is continuing to improve.

It is the swift motion and fluidity of mitt work that I love. I try and end every training session at The Club by George Foreman III with mitt work.

I get stuck on tradition. I think it’s a hockey player custom. We are fickle and customary athletes and I continue to find myself to be like that. I wrap my hands the same way every time and when it comes to mitt work I have Edwin wrap them before our last session.

It is this tradition and my constant seeking of perfection that keeps me motivated and keeps challenging me to do better.

I will be better by tomorrow.

|| See you in the ring ||

AK47

July 24, 2015July 24, 2015 by ajkemon Categories: Uncategorized Leave a comment

Killer Instinct Circuit

In an attempt to keep pace and continue to build strength in the muscles that I need for boxing, I’ve created a new workout that is not for the faint of heart. This circuit is made up of stability and core exercises. Both of which are very important in fighting. I call it the…

Killer Instinct Circuit

What to do: Perform the prescribed number of reps for each move, then immediately move onto the next. After your last exercise, return to the first move and repeat the circuit up to three times. (Beginners, follow the tips with each exercise to make the moves easier.)

Bosu Ball Squat & Press: Stand on the dome of a BOSU ball with your feet hip-width apart, holding a dumbbell in each hand by your sides. Squat down, then extend your legs and raise your hands to shoulder level. Press the weights above your head, then lower your arms back to the start. Repeat 10 to 15 times.

**Beginners: Do this move standing on the floor before progressing to this version

Stability Ball Toss: Begin by kneeling on a stability ball. Place your hand on a wall or have a partner support you as you extend your legs one at a time to stand on top. (A slightly deflated ball may make this easier, and taking off your socks and shoes may help you get a better grip.) Have a partner stand a few feet away – close enough to help you down if needed – and toss you another stability ball (6 to 8 lbs). Throw it back for a total of 10 reps.

**If you have any hesitations at all, stand on top of an upside-down BOSU ball and have your partner toss you a medicine ball

Med Ball Plyo Push-Up: Start in a push-up position on the floor with a medicine ball positioned between your hands. Bend your arms to lower your body towards the floor. Forcefully extend your arms, allowing your palms to leave the ground, and land with both hands on top of the ball. Replace each hand to either side of the ball before repeating. Aim for 8 to 10 reps in total.

Stability Ball “Fall”: Position your stomach on the top of a stability ball, place your hands on the floor and lift your feet. Keep your eyes on the floor and your shoulders level with the ground as you rotate your left hip towards the ceiling, then your right. (Don’t allow your feet to touch the ground throughout the entire set!) Repeat 10 to 15 times on each side.

**This exercise is a coordination exercise that helps fighters focus their eyes on their opponent while in the cage. If you’re a beginner, make your motions smaller, or keep one foot on the ground as you pivot.

|| See you in the ring ||

AK47

July 17, 2015July 17, 2015 by ajkemon Categories: Boxing, Fight, Fitness, Training, WorkoutTags: Boxing, Core, Exercise, Fitness, Push-Up, Squat, Stability, Workout Leave a comment

My Fight/Your Fight

When I grew up, there were not many strong female athletes to admire. Before Mia Hamm and Cammi Granato – both Olympic athletes in soccer and ice hockey – I cannot remember any feminine role models in sports. To this day, every female athlete is either sexualized or told that they play the sport “good for a girl.” What does that even mean? I will start to explore this more in future posts and what it means to “fight like a girl.” {hence the title of my blog}

With the most recent U.S. Women’s soccer team win and the ESPN Body Issue arriving within a week of each – it shows that some are open minded and some are still stuck in the past. However, there is one female athlete that has also been in the news recently.

Ronda Rousey

Ronda Rousey is arguably one of the most dominant female athletes in the world. If you don’t know Ronda – just YouTube one of her 11 UFC fights; a couple of them not lasting more than seconds on an Instagram video. One of her fights lasted a whole 14 seconds. She is the UFC’s undefeated women’s bantamweight champion and an Olympic medalist in judo. Arguably the most dominant athlete in UFC history, Rousey is responsible for the inclusion of women in the Octagon. A HUGE step for women in sports and for the UFC since the owner, Dana White, said he would NEVER allow it to happen. She is pretty much the most baddest woman on the planet.

Watch this video and see if she “hits like a girl”

Ronda’s story is incredibly inspiring and moving and charts her difficult path to success. As I finished her book “My Fight/Your Fight,” I found that already there were so many physical and emotional similarities that I’ve experienced since training. Rousey shares hard-won lessons on how to be the best at what you do, including how to find fulfillment in the sacrifices, how to turn limitations into opportunities, and how to be the best on your worst day. If you are a female – fighter/athlete or not – highly recommend reading this book.

So what are your thoughts on the term “fight like a girl”? Feel free to leave comments either on my social media or this blog post. Let’s start a discussion. Also, happy to step in the ring in the meantime and show you what it means to fight like a girl.

|| See you in the ring ||

AK47

July 10, 2015July 10, 2015 by ajkemon Categories: Boxing, Fight, Fitness, Ronda Rousey, UFCTags: Boxing, Fight, Fitness, Ronda Rousey, UFC Leave a comment

No Rest for the Wicked.

It may be a holiday week, but with how my workouts have progressed; I do not want to slow down. My biggest fear is having doubts. I don’t ever want to feel like I didn’t prepare enough. I didn’t run enough, I didn’t spend enough time in the ring, I didn’t lift and condition my body to what level I am supposed to be at. I want to feel 110% confident stepping into the ring come August when I first get to spar with my opponent. So this week is all about preparation. I have my first Fitness Test {out of four} that I will need to pass next week so that is also keeping me on track to hit goals and keep moving.

Vermont is the perfect place to train. Rolling hills {or mountains} are abundant. Uphill sprints and a 2 mile run through my hometown was enough to get me started.

Running these hills is different than any incline on a treadmill. My arms pumping and moving me was literally an uphill battle. As soon as I got to the top of the hill {exhausted as all hell} I reached a point where the only thing that was keeping me going was my mental strength and clarity. I dug down and pushed as hard as I could knowing I had little less than a mile back to my car. As I saw my car creeping up in the distance the heavens broke open and it was a complete downpour. It may sound cheesy but in that moment, I felt like I was where I needed to be. Sometimes stepping away from the chaos in my life and experiencing this competitive nature in myself is what drives me and moves me forward to become a better athlete. When I am determined, there is no stopping me. It may be because of my stubborn nature {thanks, Dad} or because I have the will to want to do everything to the best of my ability {thanks, OCD/perfectionism}.

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I am extremely lucky that I have an amazing network of coaches and trainers even back home in Vermont. I trained here in my sophomore summer when I wanted to come back to Quinnipiac as a stronger ice hockey player. Playing Division 1 hockey was a real wake-up call for me. Sports were my life. I couldn’t imagine not playing. I decided to walk on to a Division 1 ECAC ice hockey program and I am glad I did. It taught me to be humble. I wasn’t the best player on the team, but I worked my butt off every. single. day.

Erin Sykes was an incredibly motivating and inspiring trainer for me. She pushed me and worked with me to push past what goals were set for the rest of the team. She wanted me to be the best. She encouraged me to want that for myself. She is also an incredible human being and an amazing mother to Acadia.

Well, she pushed me again to be better than I was before I saw her. It was an outdoor workout – everything with tires. Each size tire was like my extra appendage. I was black from lifting, pushing, and working with each set of tires around the back parking lot of the fitness center.

 

So I may not be in the ring this week, but don’t count me out. There is no rest for the wicked …and I am just getting started.

||See you in the ring||

AK47

June 30, 2015June 30, 2015 by ajkemon Categories: Uncategorized 1 Comment

I Can’t Put My Arms Down…Put Your Arms Down When You Get to Work

After a few intense workouts over the last couple of days, including a 2 mile run with 200+ push-ups split up along the route, wind sprints, cycling class, and enough burpees/jumping jacks/squat jumps/kettle bell swings/pull-ups/lunges/planks to make anyone collapse…

Wednesday has me feeling like:

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Keeping your hands up is essential in the sport of boxing. This is your protection, or as my trainer, Edwin calls them “binoculars.” They are your sight to your opponent. {or the sight on a gun…hence the many reasons my boxing name is AK47} Each hand guides you with a pull and push, when one hand goes out from your face – the other goes back in. They always return home. Another “Edwinism” (a term I have given to my trainer’s many analogies in this sport): “phone home.”

I am conditioning my arms to be able to stay up for three 2-minute rounds. When the gloves are on and you are literally fighting to protect yourself, this conditioning is crucial. You leave your face unprotected and it could be a hard hit to the chin or eye, broken nose, or worse a KO or TKO.

So on top of my heavy cardio training. I enter the ring for a 4-minute round (double what I am training for). Edwin chases me around the ring making me move my feet, create space and then quickly take it away with each punch to the body armor he adorns. Body shots. No not the kind with alcohol involved that are done on spring break…These are serious power punches. All the power from the legs.

Just when I see the clock start to tick down…10, 9, 8… Edwin says, “Alright, get ready to punch out for another 4 minutes.” Excuse me? He sees the doubt in my eyes as I am already having issues keeping my power and endurance where it needs to be AND my hands up. He pushes back. “C’mon I know how bad you want to win.” That is all it takes. My competitive spirit {the fight} drives me forward. Edwin raises the mitts to signal me to start punching..1,2,1,2…

Here I go. 4 more minutes…

|| See you in the ring ||

AK47

June 24, 2015June 24, 2015 by ajkemon Categories: Boxing, Fight, Fitness, Training, WorkoutTags: Boxing, Fitness, Workout 2 Comments

My Heart On My Sleeve

I am a fighter.

To be a fighter, you have to be passionate. I have so much passion, it’s hard to hold in. Many people assume that when you are a female athlete that you’re cold and callous. The truth is that you need a big heart to fight. And anyone who knows me, can tell you I wear my heart on my sleeve.

This was my first time in the ring. I watched others: their flowing movement, the beat and rhythm, each exercise intertwined with footwork and punches. I was hooked.

I began kickboxing 8 months ago and little did I know it would lead to much bigger things. My heart was exploding after my first kickboxing training session. I like to think it was love at first kick. Every movement, whether fast or slow…Every breath, whether an inhale or sharp exhale with a kick or punch…was my passion kicking in.

My heart and my passion is what will keep me going through this process. I never do anything less than 110%. So don’t expect anything less from me.

|| See you in the ring ||

AK47

June 22, 2015June 22, 2015 by ajkemon Categories: Boxing, Fight, Fitness Leave a comment

I Fight.

This is going to be hard. This is going to be a challenge. When faced with a challenge – it’s always fight or flight.

I FIGHT.

Fighting is more than throwing punches and getting in the ring. It’s about being scared to death and conquering those fears and doubts anyway. It’s about turning your fight ON when you you need to. Fighting is not a sport—it’s a spirit and philosophy.

I am taking this opportunity to share my journey in training to become an amateur boxer. I am extremely excited to fight in Belles of the Brawl on October 7, 2015 at the House of Blues in Boston.

I look forward to hearing from you.

|| See you in the ring ||

AK47

June 15, 2015June 22, 2015 by ajkemon Categories: Boxing, Fight, Fitness 2 Comments