‘The Beast’ Laura Handy

Hey Laura Thank you for your time today.

You’re currently undefeated in the UIC cage [under K1] and the current flyweight K1 champion [Congratulations]. Why the change now to compete on the show in MMA when you are clearly having a great career in the K1 scene?

I’ve always wanted to compete in MMA, my strongest point was striking so I used K1 to gain experience in the cage. I’ve had 6 k1 fights now so I just feel the time is right to make the step to MMA.

Does this mean that you will not be competing in K1 for the time being and the focus is more on MMA or will you do both [K1 and MMA] side by side?

The plan is to see how this first fight goes. I know I have a lot of work to do with regards to my ground game and the last few months have been a big learning curve. I’ll still fight k1 to keep my striking strong and hopefully do both side by side.

How has the transition been going in learning all aspects of MMA? 

It’s been a tough couple of months trying to bring everything together but I’ve been having 1-1’s with my coach Ryan Norwood and working with people like Wayne Drake and Chris Hipkiss to help pull it all together.

Have you had any ‘taster’ tournaments such as any ‘interclubs’ or ‘BJJ’ tournaments to gauge yourself how you feel you are progressing or are you leaving it all in your capable coaches hands?

No I haven’t done any interclubs etc but it is something I want to do after this fight just to gain more experience.

I know from when we first spoke in your first interview with me that it has always been your aim to evolve into the MMA scene. Can you tell me what it is about the sport in whole that appeals to you and why?

MMA is appealing to me basically because you can never predict a fight, you’re always learning and developing.

Have you got a new ‘training’ addiction? [Last time we spoke it was weight training].

I’m still a big fan of weight training and have added in lots of Hiit and circuit training to this camp too.

You’re going to be fighting Ffion Davies who trains out if Chris Rees Academy in Wales at UIC 14 on February 21st. Do you know much about Ffion?

I know that Ffion fought last year and won via submission, and I know she’s coming in to the cage with a high level grappling game but I haven’t watched any videos.

This is a classic ‘Striker Vs Grappler’ fight. It’s fair to say with Ffion being a BJJ champion and yourself a K1 champion, to the fan this is a great match up made by Paul Sutherland. Where do you see the fight going yourself?

Yeah it’s a great match up, albeit a tough one. I know Ffion will want the fight on the ground; without giving too much away I’ve been working on all areas so I have to just stick to what we have been working on.

How do you think you will adjust to the time of the rounds in MMA being longer than K1?

In all my fights I tend to feel more comfortable as the rounds go on so I think the longer rounds will suit me better and give me time to adjust to my opponent.

With each fight is the nerves getting any better? If so how are you dealing with them now?

No, I’m still a bag of nerves on the day lol! It’s just something I have to deal with and once we’re in the cage the nerves just have to go!

Has this training camp been a lot harder in trying to manage the quality time you still spend with your daughter Ayva and of course absorbing all the new training techniques?

To be honest it’s ok, most of my training is at night-time and most nights Ayva is usually in bed by the time I set out for the gym. I have two days off work in the week which I spend doing things with her!

After this fight on February 21st will you be indulging in Ayva’s ‘Chocolate Freddo Bars’ with her?

Yes I will be eating my body weight in chocolate and ice cream lol!

You’re known for bringing a crowd with you, how much does the noise of your own supporters help you when you’re in the cage?

It helps a lot to hear everyone shouting! During the last fight against Linzi Edwards our supporters were having a shout off which was quite funny! But yeah it does help to keep me going and keep me focused and I’m grateful that they want to come and support me.

Lastly, is there any sponsors or anybody you would like to thank?

Yes big thanks to Warrior Fightwear for all my training and fight gear! And thanks to Ryan Norwood and everyone else at FuryMMA for helping me through this fight camp and helping with my ground work!

Thank you for your time Laura.

You can keep up-to-date on everything Laura is doing on her athlete Facebook page or her Twitter page.

If you have not done so yet, you can purchase tickets to see Laura make her MMA debut at UIC 14, GL1, Gloucester on February 21st here, or contact any of the fighters to see of they still any.

 

Date: 21st February 2015

Venue: GL1 Leisure Centre, Gloucester, GL1 1DT

Fightcard:

1. SHANE RILEY V ADAM BOUSIFF 77.2kg Welterweight Title
2. MARC ALLEN V TERRY DOYLE 70.4kg Lightweight Title
3. STEVE SMITH V DAVE CONLON 78kg Catchweight k1
4. IAN DALBY V LEE RUSSELL 56.8kg Flyweight pro
5. LAURA HANDY V FFION DAVIES 61.3kg Bantamweight ammy
6. PAULINA MALINA V AMY O’MARA 52.2kg Strawweight ammy
7. HARRY DAVIS V OLLY MYERS 77.2kg Welterweight ammy
8. JEMMA JACQUES V BRYONY TYRELL 56.8kg Flyweight ammy
9. ANDREE WARBRICK V ASHLEIGH JOHNSON 54kg Catchweight k1 ammy
10. POLLY BEAUCHAMP V CHARLOTTE FREEMAN 52.2kg Strawweight ammy
11. JORDAN PATEY V WILL JONES 90kg Catchweight ammy
12. MACK STEVENS V JOSH OZANE 74kg Catchweight ammy
13. BARTOSZ RUSIECKI V LAURENCE COATES 72kg Catchweight k1 ammy
14. DAVE TIBBETS V PAT BENSON 90KG Catchweight ammy