It must be quite an honor for you to be invited as one of the top 10 female MMA fighters from around the world to be competing in this tournament. How does that make you feel?
 
I feel very grateful and fortunate to be given this opportunity.  Bellator has signed the top women fighters in the world, and this is where I need to be.  I'm excited to be back in the cage again.

How do you manage being a full-time registered nurse with training? Do you feel that now having a full-time career will affect your training and performance as a fighter?
 
Well, having a fulltime job has definitely raised some obstacles regarding my schedule for training, but nothing that I haven't worked around.  I still manage to train 6 days a week, and I still manage to get the amount of training that I need.  I don't feel that working fulltime and training fulltime will effect my performance as a fighter.  I'm doing what I need to do while I'm in the gym, and that's all that matters.  If I have to wake up early or leave late, I'll do what needs to be done. 
 
Are there any fighters in the tournament you particularly are itching to fight? If so, who and why?

I'm honestly open to fight anyone that is presented to me, but if there was one person that I wanted to compete against before the tournament ends, it would be Angela Magana.  Nothing against her personally, but I would like to have the opportunity to redeem my loss.  We fought two years ago, and since then I have developed into a different fighter altogether.  I would like to see how I do against her now.  
 
Being that this is a tournament style event, how does your preparation differ from your other fights, whereas you have one opponent to prepare for? You will be facing a variation of styles and fighters with different strengths. Do you know each of the fighters' styles and strengths or will the unknown factor be presented in this tournament and does it concern you?
 
Initially when I started training for this tournament, we were preparing to fight the best, which in my opinion and trianer's opinion's, is Megumi Fuji.  So my initial camp was preparing for her.  If I was prepared for her, I would be prepared for everyone else.  Now, my camp is more geared specifically to my opponent.  As the tournament progresses, each camp would be geared to who I am fighting. 
 
To answer the second part of your question, I am familiar with all of the fighters in the tournament, and their particular strength.  But then again, we can't expect that each fighter isn't also changing and improving, so we just prepare for everything.  I'm not too concerned about everyone'e else's strength, because everyone is going to be good at something, or better than me at something.  I just have to be ready to stick to my game plan.
 
What can you say about how your fighting style has evolved since you started competing in MMA?
 
When I had my first few MMA fights, I was a bit more one dimensional.  I was more of a striker that wanted to keep things standing.  Since then, I've enrolled at Legion JiuJitsu, and have been training under Cameron Diffley for almost 2 years now.  Now, I'm comfortable standing up, and on the ground as well.  I feel I've become more of a well-rounded fighter.  

You have taken some time off since your last fight. Is this because you haven't been able to find fights? Does it worry you that others in the event have been more active?
 
I have taken some time off of fights, part of the reason, is bad timing, and part of the reason is having trouble finding fights.  Prior to Bellator, I wasn't signed to a particular organization, so I didn't have the convenience of being on a promotion whenever they had a show.  Majority of the fights I've been offered, were last minute fights.  One week notice, two week notice type of thing.  Well, I've taken a few fights on last minute notice, and they did not workout well for me.  I don't ever want to put myself in a position where maybe I could have beat someone, or put on a better performance, but didn't because I wasn't mentally or physically ready.  When I take fights now, I want to make sure I can have a proper training camp.  It doesn't bother me that I've been inactive in fighting while majority of my fellow competitors have been active, because I haven't been inactive in the gym.  I've still been training, I've still been working out even though I wasn't fighting.

Where do you think women's MMA will go from here?
 
It can only grow from here. 

What is the ultimate goal for your MMA fight career?
 
My ultimate goal is to constantly develop and grow as a fighter.  To improve my skills, to become the best fighter that I can be.  

How long do you think you will be fighting? What are your plans after you are done with your fight career?
 
I have no idea how long I will be fighting, it's a one fight at a time type of thing.  There are so many things going on in my life, I can't set a specific time frame.  I want to go back to school one day to work on my Master's degree, that could hinder my fighting career.  Maybe one day I'll wake up and just not want to fight anymore, who knows? But for right now, I want to fight, and I'm very motivated to compete in this tournament, and that's what I'm focusing on.  I'm sure when I'm done fighting, I'll just continue working as a nurse, and taking care of my Beagle :)  Hehe.

Is there anything else you would like to add in closing this interview?
 
Thanks you ALIAS Fightwear for your time.  Thanks to my trainers Kenneth Rayford, Cameron Diffley, and Shandon Eguchi.  Thank you to my sponsors, Alias Fightwear, Watufaka, Vegas Royalty, and Caged Steel.  Thank you to my friends and training partners who push me in the gym and push me mentally, Titus Holmes, Paul Hirayama, Christine Toledo, and Nicdali Calanoc (shake and bake).  

Thank you for your time! Good luck!  You are ALIAS.
ALIAS Fight Wear