Interview with Jessica Eye
Interview with Jessica Eye
Courtesy: ProFighting-Fans.com
Jessica “Evil” Eye is certainly a familiar name to anyone that follows the Cleveland mixed martial arts scene. Jessica is a fan-favorite and always gets the crowd going with her exciting style of fighting. Though she only recently turned professional, Jessica will be putting her undefeated record on the line in the main event of the upcoming NAAFS Eve of Destruction on September 18. Eye, fighting out of Strong Style Mixed Martial Arts outside of Cleveland, will be taking on Marissa Caldwell of Vision MMA (Cincinnati, Ohio) in the main event of the first all-female fight card to take place in Ohio which is promoted by the NAAFS, one of the most well-respected regional MMA promotions in the U.S. ProFighting-fans.com staff writer Curt Heinrichs caught up with Jessica to discuss her upcoming fight.
CH – Women’s MMA is relatively a new concept. How long ago did you start training, and what made you decide that this was a lifestyle that you wanted to lead?
Eye – I started training when I turned 19. I met my coach through some mutual friends and he convinced me to start training. I had played soccer since I was really young, but I was looking for something new. I started hitting mitts and then I moved onto training Brazilian jiu jitsu. I was raised by my dad and I have always been a little bit of a tomboy.
CH – Being a female mixed martial artist is not your average, everyday profession. If you weren’t doing what you do, what other career path would you have taken?
Eye – I would probably be doing something involving the body. I went to college for business, but I didn’t like that as much as I thought I would. If I would have stayed, I would have changed to something in the health field.
CH – What is the strangest comment you have ever heard in regards to you being a fighter?
Eye – I don’t really hear things too often, but the one I hear the most is: “You are a pretty girl. Why would you want to get pounded for a living?” I hate that people see that I am a girl and they don’t believe that I am a fighter. I shaved off my eyebrows to prove that I am committed to fighting.
CH – What does a typical week of training consist of at StrongStyle? Do you train specifically for your next opponent or do you sharpen your skills as needed?
Eye – I don’t train specifically for any opponent. Shortly before my fights, I work on defending against my opponent’s strengths, but mostly I just try to get better all-around. I haven’t been doing this for very long, so I can always get better.
CH – StrongStyle is well-represented and well-respected in the local MMA scene. What teammate do you spend the most amount of time working with?
Eye – I am really lucky to have awesome coaches. I spend the most time with Marcus Marinelli. He makes sure I am heading in the right direction with my training and dieting. Then, I spend a lot of time with Pablo, the muay thai coach.
SD- What is your athletic background?
Eye – Growing up I played as many sports as I could. I was a soccer player for about seven years. Then I did basketball, track, softball – I mean I played them all.
September 19th, 2010 at 2:10 am
Way to go girl! you are so awesome, and I am really proud at you for defending the Belt!!! I can only be amazed at your strength and courage. Yeah you’re a fighter! Jumping on the top of the cage was cool too! Love ya!