Interview with Angela "Overkill" Hill

Angela "Overkill" Hill is a raising star in the field of MMA. She has recently made the switch to pro fighter and has signed with XFC MMA. She has an impressive record of  1w-0L (pro) with 14W-0L as an amateur. Four of those wins were ko's. She will be making her XFC MMA debut soon. Angela has attracted a great deal of attention already and we suggest you follow her career early on.

BKO Kung Fu: Angela, thank you for taking the time to answer a few questions for our website.

Tell us about yourself before you started Muay Thai training?

Angela: Before muay thai, I was an art school undergrad working as a bartender and an animator. All that sitting around was catching up to me and I wanted a work out that wouldn't bore me. I took a trail Muay Thai class with Brandon Levi, the owner of Evolution Muay Thai, and I've been hooked ever since!

BKO: What motivates you?

Angela: A lot of things motivate me. Obviously the people around me, my coaches, my training partners, my family and friends. A kind of new motivation is my fans, I'm hearing more and more stories of people, especially black women, being inspired to be strong, active and live healthy lifestyles after following me and my career. I feel like we don't have nearly enough black women in the fight world to look up to, so being able to be a Layla Ali or a Lisa King to other young people who aren't always encouraged to follow their passion means a lot to me.

BKO: What is different about you between when you first starting fighting vs. now?

Angela: I fight a lot smarter now-a-days. Before, I relied on my aggression and just overwhelming my opponent. Now, I'm able to execute the game plans a little more effectively and adapt on the fly when they do something unexpected. I think I hit way harder than I used to too, haha!

BKO: What was the number one life changing event you ever experienced? What did you learn from it?

Angela: Living in Thailand for a month was definitely life changing. We were out in the boonies outside of Bangkok and really saw the level of poverty that exists out there. It made me appreciate the things I took for granted back home. I trained in a Thai camp and fought twice while I was there, and the training was HARD. The best way to describe it is boarding school for American fighters. I learned to focus more when I trained, making goals for myself on top of the 10 mile runs and hundreds of "knee bag" 's I had to do each day. When I got back home there was way less complaining when Brandon would make me do something, haha.

BKO:  Did anything else about Thailand, the culture or country, catch you by surprise? How so?

Angela: I was surprised how many scam artists there were. Luckily living in NYC prepared me not to trust strangers with great bargains "just for me!" All in all though, Thailand was a great experience. One of my coolest memories was going back to MBK mall after fighting the previous weekend, a couple taxi drivers recognized me and went "Oooh! good muay thai!" and started mimicking knees to the face, haha. Good times.

BKO: What do you think is the greatest moment in fighting history? why?

Angela: The greatest moment of fighting history? That's a tough one, there's so many. I'm gonna go with the one that has most to do with my journey and say Cyborg v.s Carrano. It was the first time women had made the main event in a major organization and they showcased athleticism comparable to the mens'. It proved there is an interest in women's MMA and there are women capable of performing at a level to be expected of athletes. It also proved Cyborg is an unstoppable beast.

BKO: What are your top 5 priorities in life, in order?

Angela: Be happy.

              Live with no regrets.

              Eat, sleep, train.

BKO: You've stated before that you stock your fridge with beer and ice-cream before every fight. What is your favorite beer? ice-cream?

Angela: Beer: Rasputin Imperial Ale

              Icecream: Ben & Jerry's Coffee Heathbar

BKO Kung Fu: Is there anything else you would like to tell our readers?

I didn't get a chance to fight Dec 13th but 2014 holds a lot of promise between XFC, Invicta, Lion Fight, and UFC's announcement of their 115lb womens' division. Follow me via my Facebook fan page Facebook.com/AngelaHillMMA or via instagram and twitter @angieoverkill to stay updated on whats up next!

Interview with BJJ Blackbelt Jeff Messina

Jeff Messina is a well-known and respected expert in the world of mixed martial arts. His impressive wins in professional MMA fights help to prove it. He has trained with legends like Tito Ortiz, Fransico Albuquerque, and Rodrigo Medeiros to name a few. He has spent time training in the home lands of BJJ and Muay Thai; bringing his knowledge back to share in the United States. He currently owns 3 successful MMA training centers and is consistently involved with the training at all levels. (Expanded Bio)

BKO Kung Fu: Jeff, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer our questions today.

You have traveled to Brazil to train in Jiu-Jitsu and have traveled to Thailand to train in Muay Thai. We have noticed some other martial artist do this also? Do you believe this helps in a martial artist career? Why?

Jeff: Traveling to the homeland of BJJ and Thai boxing is a great experience to learn from the source and get the history and culture of your martial arts. I'm lucky to have spent the last 10 years going back and forth to train and compete in Rio. My coach has a gym in Rio Called Nova Geracao. I'm actually going next week. I feel privileged to be part of my team. The team is a close knit group and full of integrity with skilled fighters.  It helps to put yourself among others that are just as serious about training as you are and to get away from your routine and daily distractions; to just focus on your training.  When I first started, getting quality training was hard here. So, I went to the source.

Jeff Messina Highlight Reel

BKO: What do you wish more people knew about BJJ?

Jeff: I wish more people knew BJJ is a culture and a lifestyle that is for everyone and will help anyone and much more than they could understand. There's no other martial art as effective or life changing as BJJ. It takes the longest to master but is the fastest to become very effective in. I have seen BJJ change people and even save people’s lives.  There is no realistic martial arts without bjj period. Other styles must incorporate bjj to become effective, not the other way around.

BKO: What do you feel is your biggest accomplishment in martial arts? Why does it stand out over everything else?

Jeff: I have many good memories from competing in bjj. I feel the best ones haven't come yet but probably the one that sticks out is when I won the IBJJF nationals at brown belt in the absolute category, submitting all 3 opponents, and then receiving my black belt from my coach Rodrigo Medieros on the Podium.

BKO: Tell us about your school in Katy, Texas? What can people expect if they want to become students?

Jeff: I have 3 schools; one in Katy, one in downtown Houston and we just opened one in Richmond/fulshur. A student can expect the highest quality instruction and training in a family environment. You will be adopted into my family and feel important no matter what your goal is.

BKO: What is the hardest thing about leading a martial arts school? How do you deal with it?

Jeff: I would say the hardest thing about running a martial art school is the business side. Keeping people motivated to not give up. Real martial arts are tough and the reward is slow in regards to belts. Most people give up when the going gets tough, not just in bjj but in life. Those who are successful in bjj are usually successful in their personal lives or will become so because of what bjj can teach you.

BKO: Do you train any professional fighters that are actively fighting? Can you name a few?

I have several tough MMA fighters. I would say my top two pro fighters are Domingo Pilarte and Larry Crowe. I have been training Domingo since he was a teenager. He's very talented and dangerous in all areas. Larry is also very dangerous and has huge potential. In addition, I have several great amateur fighters such as Perry Scott, Quetin Kiper and Colby and Sage Northcutt. I have many more that will be making their debut shortly.

BKO Kung Fu: Is there anything else you would like to tell our readers?

Jeff: Come give us a try, I will change your life for the better. www.revolutiondojo.com

Interview with Alexis Rufus, 5 Times World Champion,

Alexis Rufus

Alexis Rufus is the current WMC MAD, WPMF, ISKA, IKF & WKA World Champion, WMC & ISKA European Champion, UKMF British & English Champion and ISKA Female Fighter of the Year 2011

BKO Kung Fu: What is your training day schedule like when you are preparing for a fight?

Alexis: I train 6 days a week, Sundays rest day. We normally split my training sessions into two, doing my run and weights or circuit (strength & conditioning) training in the morning and then a pads and clinch session in the afternoon. I will do sprints and weights 2 or 3 times a week, and then longer runs (8-10km) on the other days. In the last week of training before the fight I would just stick to longer runs and no sprints or weights. Pad work I do every day, I will do clinch work 3 or 4 times a week and sparring at least 2 or 3 times a week. I try and fit in my shadow boxing too which I think is essential to any fighter. So overall I would train between 3 and 4 hours a day.

Alexis Rufus: Training Video

BKO: People often overlook the mental toughness for a fight. How does one program themselves with a mindset of a champion?

Alexis: Mental toughness should never be overlooked. It is often more important than physical toughness. If you allow any doubt into your mind, it could cost you the fight. I believe that 80% of the fight is won through mental strength and dominance over an opponent. If the mind is strong, the physical possibilities are endless. The mind controls the body. I think it is hard to just programme yourself with the mindset of a champion. That comes with experience. But there are certain ways which you can help squash those doubts. Set yourself tough goals and targets. Then when you reach them, go beyond them. Constantly test yourself. Always go the extra bit in training. I always think about what my opponent is doing and could I do more? Fitness is key to confidence, so make sure your fitness is not even a word that enters your mind near the fight. Never get involved in forums or people arguing who is the best fighter etc etc. It can play evil games with your mind. At the end of the day it is only you and your opponent in the ring when the bell goes. Nothing else or no one else matters. 

BKO: What is a common miss conception people in other martial arts have about Muay Thai?

Alexis: There is a misconception that Muay Thai is purely aggressive and that fighters engage in fights outside of the ring, that they are aggressive people. But Muay Thai is so heavily based on respect on all levels. Respect for the trainer. For the opponent. For other fighters. Most of the people I meet and have met through this sport have been so passive and down to earth and not aggressive at all. A true fighter knows how to channel the aggression in the correct way and deliver devastating strikes in the right way at the right time. 

BKO: What changes have you seen in Women's Mauy Thai fighting since you have started? What do you see for the future?

Alexis: Since I started fighting, there are so many more females competing in the sport and training in general. Fighters like Julie Kitchen and Germaine de Randamie have helped change the attitude & opinion people had towards female fighters and gave other girls the confidence to take things to championship level. It has been and always will be a male dominated sport, but I think nowadays it is becoming less intimidating to females and people are actually taking notice of females as serious contenders in the sport. There are so many great female fighters now and so many young ones making their way onto the scene. I can only see carrying on in the same manner. 

BKO: Can you confirm the fight scheduled for December 21, 2013? We see conflicting info online. What are your thoughts about the upcoming fight?

Alexis: I am fighting on 21st December on Smash Muay Thai in Liverpool. My original opponent was Christi Brereton but there were issues with her and the promoter so I heard they pulled her from the show. Tanya Merrett from Wales has now stepped up to take the fight. I don't know a great deal about Tanya, but I do know she is less experienced than me in terms of her fight record. But in my eyes anyone who steps up a level and challenges herself against more experienced opponents should never be taken lightly. I firmly believe that Tanya will come to fight and I am preparing myself for every eventuality. I look forward to meeting her next month. It should be an exciting fight. 

BKO: Are you training anyone to follow in your footsteps to be a professional fighter? if so, tell us about them.

Alexis: I am training a handful of fighters at the moment. We have a number of up and coming fighters at my gym. Two names to take note of are Wayne Ward and Ryan Ward. Two brothers with such natural talent and will to win. I truly believe they will go all the way to the top in this sport. I am also training a great female fighter, Linda Coppard. She is tough and has one of the biggest hearts of any fighter I have had the pleasure to train. So, watch this space!

BKO: What is the weirdest experience you ever had with a fan?

Alexis: Now there's a question!! I have had a few strange experiences. Some strange requests for training sessions and men asking to be hit by a 'strong woman'. Obviously I didn't entertain their fantasies...!

BKO: What has been the greatest adversity you have overcome in life? What advice would you give someone going through a similar experience?

Alexis: The biggest adversity I have ever overcome was battling with anorexia when I was younger. It nearly killed me and the only thing that saved me was my will and choice to live. My mind played all sorts of games with me as it does when you starve yourself of nutrients and somehow I managed to overcome that and get better. My mind made me ill but equally it made me strong again. It has helped me now with my training, my work, everything. I hit rock bottom and survived and I know that I can apply that same attitude to anything in life. To anyone going through a similar experience I would say to them that it's a choice. You can choose to live one way or another. It's one day at a time and if you can get through it then you will be stronger than ever. Like I said earlier, if the mind is strong, the physical possibilities are endless. 

BKO: What is your favorite movie, book, and type of music?

Alexis: My favourite film depends on my mood. But Shawshank Redemption, Apocalypse Now and Thelma & Louise all rank fairly high! I listen to a fairly eclectic range of music, again depending on my mood! But the latest music I downloaded was an Arctic Monkeys album and some Dubstep podcasts! As for books, it's the one thing I never do...read! 

BKO Kung Fu: Is there anything else you would like to tell our readers?

Alexis: The only thing I would like to say is to anyone considering a career similar to mine, don't ever let anyone tell you can't or shouldn't do it. Fighting is an extremely selfish sport, but equally it brings such a diverse group of people together. It is one of the best journey's I have made and I regret none of it. I have learnt a huge amount on both physical and mental levels. I have met some amazing and lifelong friends. 

When someone told me I can't, I just went all out to do it. Those people now admire my tenacity.

BKO: Alexis, thank you for taking the time to share about yourself with us. We look forward to following your career.

Be sure to follow Alexis Rufus on Facebook.