Roxanne Modafferi talks Nov. 7 Strikeforce fight

Fate has a funny way of playing with you. Erin Toughill was all set to take on Marloes Coenen until she suddenly pulled out of the fight on Wednesday due to “medical reasons” according to MMA Weekly. Enter 13-4-0 Delaware Native, Roxanne Modafferi, a fighter patiently waiting to put the fingerless gloves back on.

Roxanne, whose current home is Japan, has not had a fight since Nov 8, 2008 in GCM – Valkyrie, which was a win over Chisa Yonezawa, and has been dying to get back in the ring since then. She has recently made some changes in her life as well, leaving Wajyutsu Keisyukai less than a month ago and joining the AACC. The last thing she expected to get after those changes was a fight, especially a fight in one of the top US companies, Strikeforce. The Fight Nerd had a chance to catch her this evening (or this morning if you live in Japan) to get her quick thoughts on the fight and what’s going on in the life of Roxy.

Fight Nerd: Tell us how this fight came about so last minute?

Roxanne: My manager called me at 3 AM and asked, “Will you fight Coenen Nov 7th?” Groggily, I answered, “Uh yeah, sure!” Erin Toughill pulled out at the last minute. I’m glad to have the opportunity, but I know she’s been trying for this opportunity as well, so I hope she gets to fight for Strikeforce soon, as well.

Fight Nerd: What weight class will this be fought under? Are you ready to fight at that weight?

Roxanne: It will be at 145 lbs. Which is funny because I have been trying to unsuccessfully diet for months now. It turned out to be a good thing to be a little heavier than my usual fight-weight. I’m ready for anything!

Fight Nerd: What do you think of your opponent, Marloes Coenen, especially since you fought before in the K-Grace tournament that saw you pick up the win?

Roxanne: I see her as a complete fighter, and I’m ready for anything. I know I improved a lot since then, but I’m sure she has, and we both won’t be tired, as we were at the end of the K-Grace tournament. So we shall see.

Fight Nerd: Strikeforce is one of the top shows right now in the US, what is it like to think that they contacted you about fighting Coenen?

Roxanne: I’m glad and honored that they asked me to fight Marloes, and grateful that they’re giving me the chance to show what I can do to the world.

Fight Nerd: The date of this fight is the almost one year anniversary (short by a day) of your last MMA fight in GCM, do you think this lay off will affect your fight?

Roxanne: There’s no way to know. I always train really hard 100% of the time, so I’m always around fighting at the gym. I doubt it’ll have a big affect.

Fight Nerd: You have had trouble finding a fight since that last event, how big of a relief is it to get back in the cage?

Roxanne: A huge relief. I train so hard every day, and I want to put my skills to the ultimate test in the cage.

Fight Nerd: You have been living in Japan teaching and training, what has kept you in the land of the rising sun so long?

Roxanne: It’s fun and exciting here. I walk down the street in the big city, am dazzled by the hustle and bustle – I love it! I’ve made friends, I have a full-time job I enjoy, and training is fun. I’m also fulfilling my dream of speaking Japanese with some proficiency. Someday I will be fluent!

Fight Nerd: You recently left your old gym and joined up a new gym, tell us about the departure and what brought you to your new gym, and how is the training now?

Roxanne: I needed a change. My old gym is great, but I felt like I reached a plateau. Now I have a great personal trainer, former Pancrace champ. Kiuma Kunioku, and I visit a few other dojos. Training now is the best in my entire life right now.

Fight Nerd: Is jumping to a new gym going to affect this fight, especially considering the last minute nature of it?

Roxanne: Yes, it’s a positive thing.

Fight Nerd: Without giving away too much, what is the game plan for Coenen?

Roxanne: My plan is this: punch her. In the face. And try out my new special move: su-pa-tobi-hiza-bakku-fisuto

Fight Nerd: Aside from your fight, who is your pick for Fedor VS Rogers?

Roxanne: Uh Fedor will win. But I really know nothing about Rogers, so it’s not really fair of me.

Fight Nerd: What do you have to say to your fans that have waited to see you back on American soil for so many years?

Roxanne: Thanks for all the support, comments on my blogs, and encouragement you’ve given me over the years!! It really means so much to me.

Fight Nerd: Will we see more Modafferi in 2010?

Roxanne: That depends on the powers that be!