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Interview Ashlee Evans-Smith MMA Fighter

Interview Ashlee Evans-Smith Female Mixed Martial Arts are on the rise and so is amateur fighter Ashlee Evans-Smith. An up and coming fighter from sunny Southern California, Ashlee is dedicated to her sport with a drive and ambition for greatness. Down to earth and hard-working, it’s easy to fall in love with Ashlee and get behind her as a fan as we all have at Fighter Girls.

Interview Ashlee Evans-Smith

Female Mixed Martial Arts are on the rise and so is amateur fighter Ashlee Evans-Smith. An up and coming fighter from sunny Southern California, Ashlee is dedicated to her sport with a drive and ambition for greatness. Down to earth and hard-working, it’s easy to fall in love with Ashlee and get behind her as a fan as we all have at Fighter Girls. She will be fighting at the CFA womens tournament this weekend March 2nd vs Tori Adams. With Evans-Smith on the card, it’s sure to be an exciting fight. Ashlee Evans-Smith is one of the fresh new faces of women’s MMA and she’s here to fight!

Ashlee Evans-Smith

About Ashlee Evens Smith

Fighter Girls: What type of fighting do you train in?

Ashlee: I train at a very well-rounded gym where we have Boxing ,Muay Thai, Jiu Jitsu and wrestling. I come from a wrestling background as well.

FG: How long have you been fighting?

A: 2 and half years.

FG: What got you interested in MMA/fighting?

A: I’ve always loved wrestling & had an aggressive nature. But it was after I graduated from college & was unsure of where to go after finishing my collegiate wrestling career that I had a chance meeting with a former Strikeforce champion, Eugene Jackson, up in the Bay Area. He took me under his wing & trained me for almost a year until I ended up moving down to Southern California.

FG: What is your favorite fighting style?

A: I love wrestling & always will. It will always be my first love, but now that I’ve moved into the pro ranks as an athlete, these Muay Thai knees & elbows are fun and dangerous!

Ashlee Evens Smith Fight Training

FG: What is a typical day of training for you like?

A: A typical day of training would be waking up around 7:30 AM, eating a good healthy breakfast and then heading to strength and conditioning at 9 AM. I would train anything from battling ropes sled push/pull, versa climber, kettle bells tire swings, polyometrics, medicine balls, shuttle runs… all depending on how far out from a fight I am.

After strength and conditioning I’d jump in the car and head straight to MMA training, where we would cover jiu jitsu, wrestling, boxing, Muay Thai or sparring – depending on the day the week.

If my schedule permits I might get a chance to do a double day and come back later that night for some one on one pad work and some extra cardio or grappling and then finish my night off with a shower and some yummy food and do it all over again the
next day!

FG: How do you feel as a woman in a male dominated sport?

A: I have been a woman in a male-dominated sport my entire life. At least it feels that way. Coming from a wrestling background where men “ruled the world” prepared me for a sport like mixed martial arts where men once again are “the president,” but women are slowly moving up in the ranks from secretary to treasurer now and If you look at the path that women’s MMA is taking who knows, we may be vice president next week 🙂

FG: What do you feel is the greatest hardship for women of the MMA?

A: People talk about how it’s hard for women in this sport to do certain things but I have to be honest and say that I must be one of the lucky ones who have been embraced by most people, gyms and organizations that I’ve come across. I think there
will always be haters out there but in my opinion the world wants women’s mixed martial arts to take off, it’s doing so right now and I can only see the world embracing us more and more.

Who Is Ashlee Evens Smith?

FG: Do you feel there are any advantages to being a woman in MMA?

A: Since WMMA is not as big as men’s I do see some advantages for the women right now.
I think it’s a little easier to get sponsors and to be put on certain promotions. Since the talent depth is still growing certain fighters may get an opportunity to be on a big card or fight for a title with an 0-0 record or little experience at all. It’s a great time to be a female fighter. The flood gates are opening.

FG: What has been your favorite/most exciting fight?

A: I love all my fights! I get the same rush of excitement & roller coaster of emotions every time. I learn from each, win or lose!

FG: What drives you to continue fighting and training?

A: I don’t know what else I would do if I didn’t compete. I love bettering myself in whatever sport I’m doing at the time & I can’t see myself not fighting.

FG: What does the future hold for you in the world of MMA?

A: The future is bright. As cliché as it sounds the world is my oyster. I know that if I keep training hard and performing in the cage I can have whatever I want. The same goes for anyone who puts their entire heart into something they love.

FG: As a fighter, you obviously have a very strict eating and workout routine. What is your cheat/guilty pleasure you allow yourself?

A: Oh man! I like to say that I am a “fat kid at heart” because man do I love food! (She laughs) My top three weaknesses would be:

1. Mexican food
2. Ice cream
3. Chocolate

FG: What is one thing people would be surprised to learn about you?

A: Um…I’m a punk-rock loving, non-meat eating atheist? …& I’m a Cancer? (She laughs)