Tamikka "Boom Boom" Brents Interview

When not fullfilling her duties as a Power Ranger or fighting crime, Tamikka Brents moonlights as one of the top female amateur fighters in the sport. The first time I saw Tamikka fight I was so impressed with her striking. In two fights since her first interview following that fight, Tamikka got a TKO win over Jessica Zomick and a decision win over Tori Adams. Whats impressive about those is the way she won them. The win over Jessica was set up by a takedown, which surprised some and some good ground and pound. The winner over Tori was against a great wrestler, who got Tamikka down and Tamikka took control with a sweep to get on top. It showed her ever evolving game and why Tamikka is well on her way to being a dangerous fighter when she turns pro.





Q: First, Tamikka I want to thank you for taking the time to do another interview.
A: Thanks for allowing me to do another one.

Q: For those who missed your first interview can you start out by telling a little about yourself
A: Well my name is Tamikka "Boom Boom" Brents. I love MMA and also love to morph into a power ranger when I need to fight crime, but MMA is more important to me :)

Q: So since the first interview, your next fight, which was for the NAAFS, was with Jessica Zomcik in which you got a 1st round TKO. Very impressive as Jessica is legit. I was surprised when you took it to the ground. Was that they plan going in?
A: Oh yea, Zomcik is one hell of a fighter, very tough, very skilled and above all a cool chick...I would totally go party with her after a fight. But yes, the plan was to go to the ground. The first fight was a slug-fest and clinch war between the 2 of us and I think everyone thought I was looking to do the same thing so my coaches and I thought to switch it up.

Q: Do you think it caught her off guard?
A: I think she was expecting another stand-up war but afterwards we talked and she said I looked at her hips more than usual and she thought I might shoot on her and I did.

Q: At what point did you know you were going to be able to finish her?
A: I was worried I wouldn't be able to break her hold on me in side control because she had a good strong grip but then my corner told me mount was open. So I went there and I think after I started letting the punches go and saw them land cleanly, that I would be able to finish the fight.


Q: For those who may not be familiar with her, Jessica is a real talented fighter, so what does it mean to you to stop someone at her level?
A: Like I said before she is super talented and it means a lot to have been able to stop a fighter like that. It shows that I'm not one dimensional and how much I've grown from our first match.

QL You also got a split decision win over another good fighter Tori Adams for Tuff-N-Uff, which is offcially record as an exhibition. I know you enough to know you would much rather finish someone, but with such short rounds it is hard. So were you satisfied with that fight?
A: There were a lot of things going on in that fight that left me unsatisfied. I didn't make weight for that fight and was really upset about it and that really messed with my head but I knew that if I ever wanted another chance that I would have to win this fight. So a win is a win but I definitely would have rather finished the fight.

Q: What did you know about Tori's game going into the fight?
A: I knew that Tori was an Olympic caliber wrestler and world champion grappler so the plan was probably to take me down. Which she did after our first stand-up exchange where I bloodied her nose, and let me tell you...she had a supper fast shot on the double legged takedown. It was the first time I've been put on my back.


Q: Did you have any specific game plan for the fight?
A: Keep it standing or if we went to the ground stay on top. She took me down on the her first shot but I swept her to get on top, after that I think I reversed every takedown and got some takedowns of my own. So knowing the caliber of wrestler/grappler she was and that I was able to do those things, I was happy with my performance.

Q: What did you think of her over all as a fighter?
A: I think she will be really good as a fighter...everyone knows wrestling is one of the best bases for MMA and she's got that. She'll be a force in the future.

Q: Looking back at both fights, anything you learned about yourself that can help you in future fights?
A: Cut weight correctly next time! Cutting to 155lbs is easy now, just need to get this 145lbs cut under control. Cutting weight sucks...period! Argh...but I learned my lesson at TuffNuff, I refuse to not make weight again.

Q: How long after a fight do you like to take off before getting back into training hard
A: Depends on if I was injured or anything. After TuffNuff I got home on that Saturday and was back to training on Wednesday for my fight I had Jan 29. I think the whole not making weight thing lit a fire under my ass and I was just ready to fight again.

Q: In your win against Jessica it was actually an ammy title fight. What does it mean to you to be considered a champion?
A: In the gym the coaches are always saying to train like a champion, but when you finally win a belt, it's almost as if you proved that it wasn't just gym motivational talk but it was a true statement.


Q: Any idea of when you would like to turn pro?
A: April ?...my last ammy fight will be April 16th in my hometown of Springfield, IL 217!!!

Q: How important is support from family and friends when getting ready to fight?
A: It's really important, I need the super supportive people who always boost me, but at the same time I need the supporters that tell me like it is. My mom tells me before every fight "You know she's gonna kick your ass, right?" And I respond "Thanks mom."lol Any support is good support I think.

Q: I often ask what is the biggest misconception people ahve about female fighters. THis time I will ask, what is the biggest misconception people have about Tamikka Brents?A:> I am not mean! Well sometimes I am but only to villains, old lady muggers and terrorists :) I really am a teddy bear and one of the nicest people ever, ask certain people in my circle and they'll tell you(they use it against me all the time).haha

Q: Finish this sentence. In five years Tamikka Brents will be__?
A: A name you will have to mention when talking about women in MMA...and will still morph into a power ranger on my free time :)

Q: ANybody you want to thank for helping you get ready for the fights and supporting you?
A: My friends and family of course. My team Team Warrior Concepts and 5 Knuckle MMA Management. My brother Bobby for staying on me about everything. The state of IL for being so supportive as well the state of Ohio, they have been super supportive too. My sponsors Legacy Fight Wear and XB-Fit. The NAAFS, TuNuff and the other organizations that let me fight for them. YOU for doing this interview :)

Q: So whats next for you? Any idea when you will be fighting again?
A: My camp is a very busy camp. We have a lot of offers and we are just waiting to finalize some contracts right now...but the next one is sometime in February I think.

Q: Anything you want to take this time to plug or promote?
A: Team Warrior Concepts, 5 Knuckle MMA Management, XB-Fit Energy( check my website: xbfitenergy.com/tamikkabrents) and Legacy Fight Wear

Q: Are you looking for sponsors? If so, how can they reach you and what are they getting in Tamikka Brents the fighter and person?
A: I am definitely looking for sponsors. If you want a female fighter that refuses to put on a boring fight and will represent your product as one of the best...then sponsor ME!!! You can reach me at meekrenae@hotmail.com or facebook.com/tamikka.boomboom.brents


Q: Tamikka again, I want to thank you for doing this. Any last words before you go?
A: Jason you're awesome! And be on the look out for me to burst on the pro fighting scene...I love you Gina Carano...but I'm coming after you and Cyborg!!!! :)