Alexis Davis: Invicta FC2: For OTM SF

Alexis Davis is scheduled to fight Hitomi Akano as the co-main event at the Invicta Fighting Championships 2 in Kansas City, Kansas on July 28, 2012.  She is a renowned Strikeforce Fighter, the 4th ranked 135lb Female Fighter in the World (Unified Women's MMA) and the 2011 WMMA Female Bantamweight of the Year.  She has a Black Belt in Japanese Jiu-Jitsu, a Brown Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and holds a professional MMA record of 11-4.  Davis is Canadian and currently resides in the Bay Area studying under Cesar Gracie.  She is a leader in the rapidly growing world of Female MMA (FMMA) and definitely one to watch. 


The following is an introductory interview leading up to her July 28 fight:

How did you get started in martial arts?

A friend of mine asked me to do kick boxing with her. After taking an interest in Martial Arts, I joined BJJ. I have been training for about 8 1/2 years now. I am currently a 4 stripe Brown Belt in BJJ and a Black Belt in Japanese JJ.

What made you decide to compete in MMA?


I got interested when I watched one of my instructors train for a fight. I saw it as a new way to challenge myself.

How do you structure your training camp leading up to a fight? 


I usually train about 4-5 times a day consisting of BJJ, conditioning, Muay Thai, stand up and ground. I study the film/video style of my opponent and add specific training geared towards that.



How do you describe your fight style?


A lot of being hard headed and a lot of heart. (lol) I refuse to give up or give in. I train to be the best and I fight to be the same.

What are your thoughts going into your July 28 Invicta fight?


I am happy to be a part of the inaugural Invicta events. This promotion is bringing the FMMA to a level never seen before. I am happy to be a co-main and represent all the females wanting to excel in this sport!

Who do you want to fight after Invicta?

I would LOVE to fight Miesha Tate, I think our styles of fighting would make a fight that would have the crowd standing every round. I respect her and know this would be a FIGHT OF THE YEAR nomination


What advice do you have for women in MMA?


Stick with it no matter what, although the frustration and hard times may come, focus on where you want to be. Stay positive and supportive of all the females training to be the same. We are in this together and together we will make FMMA a respectable sport for all to watch.

Limits vs Results

Two quotes have repeatedly flowed through my social media channels over the past week kicked off by two people who have been very influential in my own fitness development: 

1)

2) 

"I'm constantly tempted to change my career. As one book says . . . and I paraphrase - 'I love my industry - it's the people in it that I'm starting to dislike'. Fitness sells people on RESULTS! Results this and Results that!!!! Hell - we don't even know what results are anymore!! We think it means the accomplishment of a goal - but that is NOT often the case - especially when the initial goal is misguided!! The majority of long-term PT clients (e.g. >5years) don't look much different then when they started their PT experience. BUT - THEY OFTEN BECOME DIFFERENT PEOPLE. WHY? Improved function (however that is measured from person to person) changes a person's reality, and a person's life by default. If you can live a BETTER life because of your physical and spiritual improvement due to training - then you just have to look GOOD ENOUGH to live that BETTER life!! lol You don't have to have a six pack, get into a size 4, or even look 10 years younger to live that better life!! When your kicking ass - a size 8 can look pretty sexy, a 36 inch waste looks pretty thin when its owner passes your ass on a 5k run, and a little wrinkle here and salt and pepper hair there become the SEXY SCARS OF WISDOM!! SO - kick your client's asses, get them in great shape, make them tougher in this world full of pussies, AND you will see - "they wont give a shit if they don't look like the "Air-brushed and Photoshopped" Models that grace the cover of our demented magazine!!" There - my rant for the day!!" lmao 

-Juan Carlos Santana

There is a common thread in these two quotes: Expand your concept of success.  Look at the inner development that is happening, celebrate the character that is building and allow external pursuits to reveal natural talent even if it happens through failure.  External results matter, they serve a purpose but they are not the whole story.  Limits shed light on methods that no longer serve us and point toward a more productive direction.  The core qualities and intentions can still be in play even if the external means becomes limited in one direction.  Fulfillment is available in any pursuit if the experience becomes the teacher.