Ben Leven-Rant Sports
Hey guys and gals, welcome to a follow up interview with XFC’s newest female fighting prospect, Pearl Gonzalez. As you know, I have been working closely with Gonzalez, documenting her training and lending a hand with said training, albeit mostly grappling for now. The experience thus far has been remarkable and fascinating. I will continue to document and train with Gonzalez as she continues her trying journey into the XFC.
After training with Gonzalez at South Loop LA Boxing in Chicago, I conducted a quick interview about her training and further thoughts on women’s MMA.
Ben Leven: Why do you train at so many places?
Pearl Gonzalez: I have different coaches that have different specialties in different things. You know I come to LA Boxing for my boxing. I work with a former boxing champion. I also have you know, Master Bob Schirmer, who is very well known in MMA, a genius when it comes to Judo and Jiu-Jitsu. I have a strength training coach, who’s been doing strength training for thirty plus years. I go up to MTC. They have a coach who is from Thailand. I also work with one of the owners, who’s amazing with standup, with elbows and just coming in. Every one of my coaches has their specialties in their own ways and so in order for me to be a well rounded fighter I have to work with different people.
BL: That’s a good idea; don’t go to someone who’s a jack of all trades.
PG: Exactly.
BL: How are you feeling for your fight?
PG: I’m feeling great. It’s been a long time since my last fight. I’ve just been training, I’ve been training nonstop. I’ve stayed in shape, I’ve been in shape, now it’s just getting fight ready. And I feel great, I feel I am at the best I’ve ever been. You are going to see a different Pearl Gonzalez come Feb. 22.
BL: You’re a personal trainer here at LA Boxing, how do you feel about their merger with UFC?
PG: I think it’s amazing. I’m stoked for this. We have so much going on here, there’s going to be some changes that are coming about and I’m glad to be a part of it. You know, were going to be the very first gyms trained with the UFC stuff, it’s going to be an awesome opportunity for me.
BL: So in our last interview, we talked about women’s MMA and how it’s exploding, with fighters like Ronda Rousey and Liz Carmouche. Some people are strongly against the idea of head lining Ronda Rousey and Liz Carmouche at UFC 157. I was on Facebook last night and I saw a fabricated, promotional poster headlining Dan Henderson and Lyoto Machida with Ronda Rousey and Liz Carmouche as the featured event. How do you feel about that?
PG: I think she (Rousey) deserves to be the main event. You know she’s bringing in money, she’s selling, she’s awesome, she puts on awesome shows. Liz Carmouche is another great fighter. They deserve the spot to be the main event. Just because they’re women doesn’t mean they can’t produce. I think it should definitely be the main event.
Keep reading as I continue to follow Gonzalez on her quest to be the next XFC women’s flyweight champ and check out Pearl Gonzalez’s Facebook page.
