Buffalo Grove 'Fight Girl' in televised bout Thursday
To the untrained eye, Felice Herrig doesn't look like a threat. But those who have seen her on nationally televised shows like "Fight Girls" would know better.
Herrig, 25, of Buffalo Grove, is a well-trained mixed martial artist fighter who is preparing for her next big fight at the Chicago Theater on Thursday.
Herrig's fight, part of the preliminary card for the event "Bellator 14" hosted by Bellator Fighting Championships, will be broadcast on Comcast Sports Net at 11 p.m. on Thursday.
One of five children of an avid martial artist, Herrig fell in love with the discipline early.
"I grew up around it; it was the only sport my father was ever interested in. I was always really aggressive and athletic and interested in martial arts," says Herrig.
Herrig has been fighting competitively for seven years. She was originally a kickboxer, but when she was on Oxygen Network's "Fight Girls" in 2007, she quickly picked up muay thai (an Asian form of kickboxing that allows strikes with the elbows and knees, and strikes below the waist), and was one of the best fighters in the show.
Following that, she began transitioning into mixed martial arts, which allows many types of fighting styles and combinations, so fighters must be prepared to utilize and defend against many types of attacks.
"There were lots of elements I wasn't used to, but I handled it really well. I have a fighter's instinct and I'm very good at adapting," said Herrig.
On "Fight Girls" Herrig was portrayed as the "girly-girl," which she says is pretty accurate.
"I like to look good when I fight. They think you either have to be really tough, or pretty and cute," said Herrig.
But being a woman in a male-dominated sport has its challenges. Herrig has trouble finding training and sparring partners. Even if men are willing to help her train, it isn't very realistic or relevant to fighting other women.
"You go against guys and they either go too hard or too soft. They don't want to train with you because they don't really get anything out of it," says Herrig.
Herrig is trying to make it as a full-time fighter, but work is inconsistent. When she isn't training for scheduled bouts, she waitresses. Flexible hours allow her to take weeks or a month off for training in California when she has a fight to prepare for.
"Whenever I have a fight scheduled, I don't drink or party and I'm completely focused on my training," says Herrig. Because she started as a punching and striking fighter, she has trained a lot on improving her wrestling and takedowns.
On fight days, Herrig likes to relax and keep only the upcoming match in her mind.
"I just relax and put my music on," she said.
"I don't really like to be bothered while I get in the zone. I don't have people around me or carry my phone."
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<li><a href="http://www.facebook.com/people/Felice-Herrig/1311643842#!/profile.php?id=1311643842" target="new">Felice Herrig's Facebook page</a></li>
<li><a href="http://twitter.com/feliceherrig" target="new">Twitter @feliceherrig</a></li>
<li><a href="http://lilbulldog.fighthype.com/" target="new">Felice Herrig's blog</a></li>
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