Kristin DeWitt Interview

I have yet to see Kristein DeWitt fight in person. But I think it is a sign of the person she is that I now look forward to see her live and am even going to be doing a story on her. What she went through before fighting and now getting ready to come back from mono is very inspirational. Her attitude about herself, training, the sport and life in general is very positive and enjoyable. While a record of 0-2 seems unimpressive, you must look at who the two losses are against. Very quality opponents. As Kristin continues to improve there is no doubt the record will as well.





Q: First, Kristin I want to thank you for taking the time to do this.
A: You are so welcome I’m super stoked about it.

Q: Can you start out by telling a little about yourself?
A: Sure I’m extremely tiny! Hints the name Tiny Terror. I was born in Bogotá Colombia and I got that crazy Latina fire in me. I was adopted at 4 months old and got to go back to Colombia with my family this past summer. My brother who is also my best friend is adopted from there as well. I live in Springboro Ohio and it’s boring. I’m out going and love watching hours of House and NCIS (I was Abby for Halloween). My family on my mom’s side is from long island NY.There are a lot them and they all talk New York like. I have my dog named Julie and she steals my bed, probably one of the reasons I don’t sleep I’m pretty simple yet complex. Did I mention I’m a total goof ball?

Q: Were you especially athletic growing up? Play any sports?
A: I started out playing soccer, and softball like every other kid in this country. But my heart was not much for sports even though I’ve been told I would have been awesome at soccer like my brother cause its in our Colombian blood. I was more artsy fartsy than anything. I played flute and was in the band all away from 4th grade though high school including 2 years of marching band. Whoever says that’s band is not a sport, then they haven’t experienced band camp. Ha-ha jokes aside it was really hard and gave you a great exercise and nice calve muscles. I also was into art especially graphic design, which was later, my major in college. Besides band and art I also am huge on writing. I write blogs, do interviews, poetry, short stories and random thoughts and such. So I guess I was kind of a nerd, or still am.

Q: What initially got you started training for MMA?
A: Actually I’ve always been a tomboy. I hated girly stuff and ballet was not for me. I hung out with the boys. I always loved roughed housing with them. I got in fights and had an anger problem and did not listen to authority. In Jr. high the principal office was my second home.
Growing up I had some relationships that caused me to make some bad choices. I became depressed and turned to hurting myself. I fought those demons for a bunch of years. During high school my depression got worst and I was in a huge rut. I needed an outlet to get rid of my anger and the anxieties of being a teenager. I felt lost and had so much animosity. So instead of taking it out on myself, I’d take it out on something or someone else.


Q: Was the training something you picked up fairly easy?
A: Yes! It was second nature. Though wrestling is not. Ha ha

Q: How long did you train before your first fight?
A: I trained Mma for 2 years before I fought. I had a lot of weight to gain. I was 85 lbs when I started training , so I was going to end up fighting 105, which now I am. However I had trained 3 years before that in other forms of martial arts. (Tae kwon do, kickboxing)

Q: Was fighting something your family and friends supported?
A: My friends totally, my guys were super excited I was not gonna beat up on them anymore, even though now I hit them harder and they normally dropped on my ass. They make me tougher though and I love them. My girlfriends like all 3 of them were stoked too.
My family was not. Well can’t exactly say that. My brother was excited and has supported me from day one. My mom grew up in a strict Italian catholic home where a girl had to act like a proper lady. She was shocked that I wanted to fight. It took my coach talking to her and convincing her I’d be fine for her to be ok with it. Hell my dad even asked if I wanted to be a boy because I loved to fight. In the end they both supported me and were at my last fight in July, minus the fact my mom left during the actual fight.

Q: Where do you train at now?
A: Now I’m a Walker Girl. I train at Walker Mma with an amazing coach Kru Robert Walker and a bunch of really tough and talented guys. They treat me like their little sister so any guys decides to mess with me they got them to deal with. They also push me as hard as they can and treat me like one of the guys when we are training. We got a new Bjj instructor, Bodhi Jones, who is teaching us gi. I learned grabbing fabric is deadly and it’s funny to watch the guys make funny noises and faces due to the collar chokes; all and all we are a big happy family.


Q: Can you give your overall record so far.
A: I get crap about my record. Haha but dammit I’m proud of my 0-2. Those are 2 fights most people don’t have. Plus I had the honor to fight Jessica Philippus who is ranked #1 in the 105 division. She is a great ground fighter. And really showed me that I needed to work on my ground, big time. I was bummed I got caught due to a stupid mistake but I was still all smiles. I was happy to be part of G fight 2010, and started her on her wining streak. She even fought in Ky and my coach cornered her and she won. We became very good friends. I also fought Summer Atherton for NAAFS in July. Though I lost I have the up most respect for her. She took the fight on a real short notice and came all the way from Omaha to fight, since my opponent dropped out due to health reasons. That fight was a mess I was 98 lbs and she was 115. She is tough! I got a TKO because my contact got lost and I had the ref stop the match, my coach and I had agreed if that happened then to stop, because “It’s the one you don’t see that gets ya” and I can’t see anything with out my contacts. I was again all smiles. Plus I had just competed on the card with 2 of my teammates who both won that night.

Q: Which fight so far is the one you are most proud of or is there something else you would say you are most proud of?
A: Not to be conceited I’m just proud of myself. I’m proud of how far I have come both in the gym and in the real world, that I have fought some of the toughest girls in the sport.

Q: What would you say is your biggest strength and the one thing you most want to improve?
A: My strength is my striking and my heart and my will to fight. Oh and my head kicks. What I need to work on is my ground esp. takedown, and strength training. I’m small and every girl I will fight will be bigger than me so I need to over power her. Oh and the big things are my weight and my health. I’m tired of being sick and losing all the hard work I do to gain a few lbs.

Q: Name the one fight you have seen that you will always remember?
A: My teammate Jeremy Kamikaze Myers vs. Roger Hahn for absolute mma in Ky. He knocked out this kid with a nasty head kick. His shin was soo swollen. It was his last ammy fight and he wore a Thai skirt to thank our coach. Best part of that fight was him getting beat up by coaches 4 year old grandson, who is a monster in the cage. It was too cute.


Q: Are there any fighters you a are a fan of or love to watch?
A: I love to watch Forrest Griffin. Also I enjoy watching the ladies i know fight. Which is probably a given. I get overly excited for them and waiting for the results of the ones I missed. I just love watching fights. Cant wait for the Forrest and Franklin fight, it’s the battle of Ohio!

Q: In your opinion, who are the top five female fighters in the sport pound for pound?
A: No order – Megumi Fuji Cris Cyborg, Marloes Coenen, Zoila Frausto, Miesha Tate

Q: Do you ever see a major U.S. women's only company being viable?
A: Hell Yeah!! The ladies are here and are ready bang!

Q: Often you watch a show that has one women's fight. Somehow that fight always turns out to be the most exciting fight on the card. Why do you think that is?
A: We are awesome. Duhh .No really the women train just as hard as men and want to put on a good show. Plus women are very competitive with each other. Its believed that they are more technical and brutal than expected especially because they are not all huge like and cant’t always relay on their strength, plus we are flexible so its easier to get out of moves and get back to your feet. So that is always a crowd pleaser.


Q: What is the biggest misconception about female fighters?
A: “Aren’t you afraid to mess your pretty face up”
I cant tell you how many times I hear that. Just because a women is pretty doesn’t mean she can’t fight. Heck just because she’s a woman doesn’t mean she can’t fight. We belong here just as much as the boys do. And a fighter isn’t worried about messing up her face; there are surgeons for that, she just want to fight.

Q: If another woman told you she wanted to train for the sport, whats the biggest piece of advice you would give her?
A: Go for it the worst that can happen is you get beat up, which some concealer can cover some bruising. If you like it stay. At least there is no doubt or regret that you didn’t even give it a try.

Q: Outside of training and fighting, any other hobbies or activities you enjoy?
A: Well I love just hanging out with my friends, cursing around and just having fun. I also enjoy spending time with my boyfriend. I love to write, read, draw, and listen to music. My 2 best friends live in Texas and Las Vegas so I’m on the phone a lot. I’m a snow bunny and love to snowboard and t enjoy the winter. I’m sad though cause I’ve been sick since October so that means no winter fun for me. I love hanging out with my family especially when my brother Is home from college. Go buckeyes! Other than that I’m at the gym!

Q: Can you describe a typical day in the life of Kristin DeWitt.
A: Sure no problem.
I wake up take a bath; normally I have something random to do in the mornings. After I might get a nap in. Yeop I need my sleep because I can never sleep at night. I’m not in school right now. I’m trying figure out what I want to do. So I’m a NANNY! I watch two boys and a psycho dog that thinks I’m a chew toy. After all their swim practices, guitar lesson and hours of sponge bob I head to the GYM! I’m usually there 5 days week for about 3-4 hours. Next its either home or to see some friends and hang out. Then home to stalk facebook, take a bath, relax and try to sleep. That’s a normal day
Now I’m sick with mono so its sleep, appointments, sleeps, work, sleep. I cant train right now cause my spleen is swollen and it can explode, which is something I do not want. I should be back soon if everything goes well and I don’t get worst. Thank you every one who have been thinking of me and keeping me in your prayers this pass couple months and keeping my spirits up. It means a lot to me..

Q: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
A: I’m full of surprises. I love Billy Joel, I snort when I laugh and when I sneeze it’s a combination of a meow/squeak/high pitch noise. I’ m a complete clutz, I manage to jump on my bed, miss and knock my self unconscious on the night stand. I got a concussion. I love the Jersey Shore ( all fairness I used to live in NJ) Oh and the Jonas brothers …. shhh

Q: Describe Kristin DeWitt in five words.
A: Crazy, Spontaneous, Cute, Spunky, Tough

Q: So whats next for you? Any idea when you will be fighting again?
A: The biggest thing is to get better and get my weight up. But I have to take it slow for a bit so lots of healthy vitamins and strength training and cardio for me. As well as making up all the work I missed in the gym when I was sick and hopefully fight in mid or late spring. I got a lot of work to do. Especially since the 105 division got some tuff girls that I can’t wait to get in the cage and “tussle “ it up with them… (Mr tussle like the cheesy plug)

Q: Anything you want to take this time to plug or promote?
A: TUSSLE- Mr. and Mrs. Tussle are awesome and have really cute fight gear plus Mr. Tussle has done a lot for me. He took a chance on me and I thank him for his support and thank them for being my sponsor!!!!!!
http://www.tusslefightgear.com/
International Women’s combat- they have been awesome too me look for these guys in the future. They are going to do big things
Gurl fytrz- Marica Mason works so hard to get the word out about domestic violence, being a survivor myself I’m proud to be sponsored by her. It’s a great cause and there are branches of the teams though out the country raising money doing food drives and anything they can do to help those who are effected by domestic violence. www.gurlfytrz.org
And my other sponsor Phambraxcite mma- they also help Marcia so they are awesome.
Nonstopwmma is keeping up with the female fighters and gives us the details of different match up. So cool
http://nonstopwmma.blogspot.com/
Absolute Action MMA. They put on a hell of a show and have some pretty awesome fights. Ladies, keep an eye out for a possible all ladies card coming in the near future. www.aamma.net

Q: Are you looking for sponsors? If so, how can they reach you and what are they getting in Kristin DeWitt the fighter and person?
A: Sure esp when I start fighting again. Easy hit up my email tinyterror93@ymail.com


Q: Kristin again, I want to thank you for doing this. Any last words before you go?
A: It was my pleasure sorry if I rambled or anything., I do that.. uhh , Last words, , Stick to your dream and don’t let any thing get in your way. If they do kick their ass!!!!!