Issue 077

July 2011

A rising 115lb’er, the 4-3 ‘Lil Bulldog’ has high goals and a Chuck Norris stamp of approval.

FO: Although you’re an MMA fighter you’re known for being on the reality show Fight Girls in 2007, where female Muay Thai fighters compete a title shot in Thailand. Was Muay Thai your first love?

Felice: “It’s funny, everybody thinks so but I started in full-contact kickboxing, then transitioned to boxing. I was competing in those sports until the opportunity came to do Fight Girls. I had never fought Muay Thai and in American kickboxing there’s no clinching, no knees, no elbows and all kicks have to be above the waist so it was a tough transition. I went on the show and was the first girl picked to fight after only about a week of being there. I’ve been doing combat sports for eight years. I’ve slowly evolved and I have more tools under my belt now. My full-contact kickboxing record was around 18-2.”

You’ve competed in Chuck Norris’ World Combat League as well, a purely stand-up organization where fighters are split into teams. Did you ever get to meet Chuck Norris?

“Yeah, he was actually at all the fights, and after the weigh-ins we’d have a big dinner and he was always there. He’s a really cool guy, and his son was one of the camera guys.”

Are all the Internet Chuck Norris facts true? Does he have another fist under his beard, and do his tears cure cancer?

“[Laughs] He wears a shirt with all those sayings on there.”

Does he really?

“No he doesn’t [laughs]. But maybe I’ll have to make one for him now.”

You’re also in the upcoming Supremacy MMA video game, which provides a more raw and grittier experience than UFC Undisputed or EA Sports MMA. How have you found that?

“I’m just taking it all as it comes, and it’s giving me even more exposure. The video game itself is really cool. I got to play it already and it’s fun.”

Being on TV you have a high profile. Have you had any odd interactions with fans as a result?

“All the time. I don’t know, I think I put out a stalker vibe. When I was on Fight Girls I worked in a spa doing skincare and treatments and I had a couple book an appointment. I was going to wax the woman’s eyebrows and as soon as the door was closed they whipped out a folder with ten photos for me to sign and the guy wanted me to sign the bottom of his wrestling mat. They had a creepy, stalker, swinger vibe.”

With UFC owners Zuffa buying out Strikeforce there’s concern the Strikeforce female division might get dropped should the companies merge. Do you think women’s MMA has a place in the UFC?

“It does, but not right now. Some girls are only OK, but there are a lot of women who can actually really fight. It’s the girls’ job to stay focused on the sport, and the more dedicated and focused the women are and the better they get, the more opportunities we’ll get. A lot of girls will back out of fights. My past five fights I’ve had girls back out two weeks before. It makes it a pain in the ass for promoters to even want to deal with them because they’re scrambling at the last minute to find a replacement. It’s more risky. The pool needs to get bigger and there needs to be more dedicated females. Right now I don’t see females in the UFC, but definitely down the road.”

You’ve fought in Bellator in the past and they have great female fighters at your weight. Are you eager to get back in there and mix it up?

“I would love to. They really wanted me to do the 115lb women’s tournament last year (won by Zoila Gurgel, née Frausto) but at the time I was in between management and it didn’t work out. I’m not tied down to one organization and I don’t have my heart set on any particular company. I don’t like to limit myself and a lot of organizations want you to be their fighter, so then your opportunities are limited. I’d love to fight to Bellator again, but there are other organizations I’d like to fight for too.”

You train at Team Curran in Chicago with Jens Pulver and UFC lightweight Bart Palaszewski, amongst others. Do they treat you like another one of the guys or do they pull their punches in the gym?

“If you ask any one of the guys they’ll tell you I hit like a guy. With sparring partners you have to know how to spar with somebody. They’re not out there trying to take my head off. The guys don’t treat me like a girl, but they also know there’s a huge difference between a male and a female – and I’m a small female. There’s a lot of respect at this gym.”

What’s the ultimate MMA goal for you?

“Ever since day one it’s been to be pound-for-pound the best female fighter. I want to be a well-rounded fighter and I want to make history. I want to make my mark and be known as one of the best female fighters that ever lived.”