Interview with Bellator's Jessica Pene

With a perfect 7-0 record, Jessica Pene is one of the hottest USA prospects in women's MMA.  Since she began fighting in 2006, she has displayed a very well rounded mixed martial arts game that includes some diverse striking as well as some slick submissions on the ground.  Of her 7 career victories, 4 have come via submission, 2 by decision and she holds one knockout.  Jessica was invited to Bellators flyweight women's tournament and she will take on the very dangerous Zoila Frausto in the first round at Bellator 25 in Chicago on August 19th.

Brian Hemminger:  You were the first woman to fight for Bellator and now you've been given an opportunity to fight for their title in the flyweight tournament.   How did it feel to get that phone call with the tournament invite?

Jessica Pene: I thought it was a great opportunity and I feel very excited and glad that I'd been considered.

BH: I've read that you got into MMA because you saw some K-1 kickboxing on TV and really liked it.  When was that, and did you have any formal training in any form of fighting before that?

JP: It was not just the K-1 match that got me interested.  I had wanted to wrestle but my school did not allow females to wrestle at that time.  I wanted to find a sport to channel my competitiveness.  I had no real training before that, that was about 5 years ago and I've been training ever since.  I always wanted to compete I just wasn't sure where.  Through Muay Thai I discovered Brazilian jiu jitsu and then MMA, so that's how I got here.

BH: You've joked that the women in your weight class don't hit hard, but your upcoming opponent Zoila Frausto just had one of the most devastating knockouts in women's history.  Are you concerned about her power?

JP: No, not really.

BH: Have you been training anything specifically to prepare for Frausto and her diverse striking?

JP: No, just working on improving myself.  Sharpening things up to be the best I can be.  That's the only thing I can control.

BH: Most of the women in this tournament are dropping down a weight class (or two!) to make 115 lbs.  You've said in the past that you'd be more comfortable fighting at 110 pounds, how are you preparing for a potential size disadvantage?

JP: I don't know, unlike them, I don't have to worry about my weight or diet.  I just have to focus on my training so I think that actually gives me an advantage.  I'm always training as the smallest in my gym so I'm used to it.

BH: Your last fight was a big win over fellow tournament participant Angela Magana, has that given you confidence that you'll do well in this tournament?

JP: I think all my fights have given me confidence, not just that fight.  I've taken something from all my fights and grown from it.  Every one of them has helped me in some way in my career.

BH: That last fight also took place about 10 months ago, are you worried at all that ring rust will be a factor?

JP: I'm not worried about ring rust, I sure would have liked to compete, but I've been unable to.  I've been focusing on everything I can, trying to prepare myself to become a better athlete.  Sometimes you need to take time off to get better.

BH: You did a little bit of modeling last year , what are your thoughts on female fighters being sex symbols?

JP: Well my thing wasn't really modelling, it was something for a sponsor.  I think it's sad that women have to be categorized like that.  They should respect us for our fighting abilities.

BH: Has your life gotten a little less hectic since you finished your degree at Cal State Fullerton?

JP: It was just a time management thing, trying to balance things out.  Now that I don't have to go to school I can focus on myself and training and work, not having to worry about homework.

BH: Ok, prediction time, how do you see your fight ending on August 19th?

JP: Honestly I have no idea, I just know I'm gonna go in there and put on a great show.

BH: Thank you very much for your time, do you have any shoutouts or anyone you'd like to thank?

JP: I want to thank to my team mates and coaches at Subfighter MMA as well as LA Boxing, Lake Forest and Joker's MMA.  I'd also like to thank my sponsors All Pro Science and Sinful