Posted on August 27, 2010 // 1 Comments

Girls of MMA speaks to Tisha Rodrigues about her career  from being a Fitness Model to an MMA convert.

GIRLS OF MMA – How are you feeling today Tisha?

TR-  I’m awesome, getting psyched for UFC weekend. I’m excited because Jillian from Starfire setup an interview for me with Din Thomas for The Next Great Fighter, so that is going to be a blast! Plus getting to meet some fighters and networking.

GIRLS OF MMA  – Tell us a little bit about yourself. How old are you? Where are you from originally? And how long have you been training in MMA?

TR –  I’m going to keep you guessing my age..( bahaha) I’m originally from Rhode Island, I spent a few years living in Ft. Lauderdale and I now call Mass my home, although, I’m taking the first ticket out of here to live somewhere warm, where you can enjoy the outdoors all year long! As for MMA, I have been training three years this summer and I love the sport so much.

GIRLS OF MMA – What path led you to professional mixed martial arts? We heard you use to be a Body builder, How different is that to your current passion of MMA?

TR –  I competed in fitness and figure shows for about 7 years. I won 4 titles between npc and fitness America in my last year competing. It led me to writing many fitness columns as well as professional fitness modeling jobs and television commercials. I took my first Muay Thai class as another way to get in shape for my competitions, but it quickly took my desire away from the modeling and competing and on to a possible career in MMA. I couldn’t do both because fighting takes 100% dedication, so I left the competition world behind and moved on. I accomlished what I wanted to do in the fitness industry, it was on to bigger and better things now. It’s different in every way. The diet is different, in that I’m not eating in a way to show every shred of muscle in my body, I’m eating clean to feel strong and powerful. I did however have to cut 20 pounds for my last fight, but if I dieted the way I did for figure shows, I’d have no energy to train and definitely not to fight. Even the workouts are completely different. I try to simulate my boxing moves or grappling moves when I weight train, Manipulate equipment to copy where I need strength inside the cage. Pulling opponents into me or keeping them away ect ect..

GIRLS OF MMA – What weight division to do fight at?

TR –  I fight anywhere between 115-125

GIRLS OF MMA – Please tell us what your current MMA record is? Give us a quick rundown of your past fights and what belts you hold if any?

TR – My amateur MMA record is 2-1 I decision, one 2 nd rd loss by sub and one first round finish.

GIRLS OF MMA – Tell us what your typical training regime consist of?

TR – When I’m not in fight camp, I train 5 days per week strength training, very heavy lifting but not for mulitple sets, basically how I described prior. All MMA specified strength building and very little cardio. Then I train 4 times per week in boxing, Muay thai, gi, no gi and wrestling. When I am in my actual fight camp, I’m training 6 days per week lighter weights higher reps in a very fast paced workout followed by at least 45 min of aggressive cardio, sprints, uphill jogging, elliptical trainer, row machine ect.. Then I have at least two fight teams per week, working everything. Round after round with a fresh guy every minute for me. My trainers Mike Littlefield and Bobby Dias might have me working against the cage, straight MMA, grappling rds with or without punching, just standup…anything and everything till utter exhaustion. I also continue all of my above mentioned classes 5 times per week. Then we add on two nights per week of conditioning every session harder then the next as my fight grows closer. My husband works my conditioning with me and he is also my main training partner through my regular training and camps.

GIRLS OF MMA – When you aren’t training, what keeps you busy? Tell us about your professional and educational endeavors, as well as what you do for fun!

TR –  I’m married with three children, all very active, both my boys also train in grappling and my youngest son in wrestling as well. My daughter, the youngest of the three, is my little performer, who enjoys cheer, gymnastics, dance and singing.. They are the most awesome kids ever and my biggest fans!! I work as a personal trainer and I also promote and do marketing for Full Force Productions. An MMA org out of New England. I love writing, I’m writing a book as we speak, so hopefully I can share it with the world someday. I enjoy the summer season, going biking, camping and of course I love the ocean and spending my time with my husband and kids. I love working out everyday and anything that challenges me.

GIRLS OF MMA –  In MMA Who has influenced you the most, how has been your Inspiration that you decided to take on MMA?

TR- I have so many fighters in the sport I look up to, Roxanne Modaferri, Megumi Fugi, Gina Carano who has opened the doors for female MMA fighters, cyborg and Jan Finney. My favorite male fighter is hands down GSP, I love his style and aspire to take on that same style of fighting, Randy Couture, Rampage, Kenny Florian and BJ Penn. They all inspire me for different reasons.

GIRLS OF MMA – Is there any Professional MMA fighter you would like to meet and why?

TR – GSP, I love that he is so humble, I love his style and he’s an amazing athlete! And def Roxanne as she seems to be just a genuinely good person to be around, again extremely talented and humble.

GIRLS OF MMA – Are there any future fights your preparing for, you would like to tell the people out there?

TR –  I have a few things in mind, but nothing set in stone. Def after Oct but before January, if all goes well and works out, great things to come!

GIRLS OF MMA – How do you feel now the female MMA events are closing in against the male dominated event?

TR – About time…it’s good to finally see women fighting when I turn on the tv, I believe there is plenty of great talent in the women coming up right now, we just need the chance. Either way, publicity or not, I will continue to fight and enjoy the sport.

GIRLS OF MMA – Thanks for spending the time to talk to us and we wish you luck with your upcoming fights, as well as reaching your goals.

GIRLS OF MMA – Any final words?  Would you like to give any shout outs to any sponsors/coaches/fans?

TR – Thanks for having me, my pleasure. I want to thank my Fight Team and School, The Boneyard in Taunton, ma. My husband Mark for his continued belief and support in me through this journey and my sponsors and supporters, Slade from Tussle Fight Gear, Tracy Tate from Cage Candy, Bon Caco of Fight Soap, Boston Brawler, Elisabeth Neusser of Fight Chix and Lead Creative group who designed my website www.thelilbully.com and Jason Adams for supporting and promoting females in Mma through his site Promoting Women in Bodybuilding, Figure and MMA. Thank you to Girls of MMA for featuring me, it’s greatly appreciated!

Category : Blog & Fighter Interviews