It has been an extremely busy week for top prospect, Zoe Nowicki.
Fresh off the back of her professional debut on June 28, the 2023 GAMMA World Gold Medallist is back in action tomorrow (July 5) at the 2024 GAMMA Pan American Championships, which take place in Argentina.
There was a lot of excitement surrounding Nowicki’s first walk to the cage as a professional, with many eagerly awaiting to see if the two-time NCAA and WCWA Women’s nation Champion could transfer her skills to the professional ranks. In her debut, Nowicki faced fellow debutant, Josiane Oliveira at Invicta FC 55. The 24-year-old looked extremely good over the three rounds and worked her way to a unanimous decision win. The victory has only boosted Nowicki’s confidence heading into the GAMMA tournament, she said:
“I am feeling ecstatic and confident after my professional debut for Invicta. Trusting my stand-up game against a high-level striker was something I needed. I proved to myself that I am a well-rounded fighter, who will continue to improve their game.”
Invicta has been a proving ground for many of the top women mixed martial artists and now signed to the promotion, Nowicki is looking to add her name long list of talent to have competed on the Invicta stage and was delighted to kick her career off with a win.
“This result means I have another bout under my belt. It was special in my heart because it was my professional debut. I gained so much experience through this bout and fight camp. I am already excited to evaluate the match with my team, make adjustments and get back to work. I hope to compete again [at Invicta] around September.”
Training for an upcoming bout can be a gruelling time for most athletes, but for Nowicki, she has spent the last few weeks preparing for both a professional contest and a tournament. The American prospect disclosed how she prepared for both.
“I have trained the same. Around a six-week camp for Invicta and just leading into the Pan Ams. I am staying sharp and keeping rested this week when we’ll be travelling to Argentina. Luckily, the wear I took in my bout for Invicta was minimal and I am able to compete at my best.”
“Prep between the events looks like resting and doing light drills and pad work to keep a sweat rolling. Invicta was a high energy experience. I travelled to from Detroit to Kansas City, back to Detroit, and now I’m off to Argentina. Sleep, resting, stretching are my best friends. I have all the skills and I work very hard at my cardio on a very regular basis. I am ready for whatever the Pan Ams brings.”
The GAMMA Pan American Championships takes place from 5 to 7 July 2024 in Rosario, Argentina at the Club Nautico. The nations, amateur MMA tournament features national teams from across the continent.
