Q&A with Amateur Female MMA Fighter RIVER JONES

MMAmadhouse is doing our part to help promote Women’s MMA. I recently had the opportunity to interview Amateur Female Fighter RIVER JONES from B.C. Canada

This was it

MadHouse - So please tell all us MMAmentally ill fight fans where were you born & raised?

River - I was born in Trail B.C. & was raised primarily in Rossland & Nelson B.C. Ultimately, we moved around a lot, but Nelson I consider Nelson my home.

MadHouse – At what age did you start training to become an MMA fighter and is it something you’ve always wanted to do?

River – I started training about 3 years ago. I actually didn’t know what MMA was until that time. The minute I stepped in the gym I knew I wanted to try fighting because I am very competitive & have been an athlete most of my life. But since I started training & became a part of my the Pride Gym crew, MMA is a great source of enjoyment. For some people fighting is a day in their life, for me, fighting is my life in a day – if that makes sense.

MadHouse – I sure does to me. Please inform all the MMA enthusiasts out there of your record

River – 2-0

MadHouse – Do you have any fights coming up?

River – I was supposed to fight this past June 19th but the girl backed out 3 days before the fight. It was a huge disappointment because I was ready to go. I felt really good, really strong, and had worked on some things that took my game to a new level.
That’s the thing with female fights, every fight I’ve had the girl I wind up fighting is usually number 3 or 4. This last girl was number 3 and at the AM Ford fights my opponent was number 4. It’s really tough to find girls who will commit. Being a female fighter is tougher for that reason & also due to ‘female issues’ that make hitting weight a stressful & excruciating process, if you know what I mean.

MadHouse – If you could meet any person in the world, who would it be and why?

River – Today I would say the Dali Lama simply because I admire & respect what he represents personally, spiritually, and politically. I think to be around someone like that & have a conversation would be inspiring on multiple levels.

MadHouse – Without a doubt, now for the patented MMAmadhouse question…….If you had a fight tomorrow night what would you choose for your walk out music?

River – That’s easy, “Won’t Back Down” by Eminem.

MadHouse – What would you like to see change in the world of Women’s MMA?

River – Better promotion and opportunities. For example, when Cyborg fought Carano for the title there was a decent amount of press because Carano was seen as attracting base level interest because of her looks. You could read about that upcoming fight for a few weeks before it took place on many sites. Then Cyborg destroys her & when it comes time to defend the title, almost no publicity is given to Cyborg and Coenen. Then again, Cyborg fights this weekend & she is not getting press on female mma sites or on mainstream ones like Sherdog, even though Sherdog is publicizing that card because of Fedor. If you were reading Sherdog you wouldn’t even know Cris is defending her title this weekend & I think that is disappointing.

Further, I understand that sex sells but it seems blatantly obvious that women are trapped in a catch 22 in the sense that female MMA fighters are expected to be sexy enough to sell a ticket, yet they are constantly criticized for being inferior athletes (to men). Then on the flip side you get someone like Cris Cyborg, who is powerful & aggressive on a level often compared to a man, yet she isn’t ‘sexy’ enough to garner attention. It’s like women can’t win, either way. If you blow away female stereotypes by embodying ‘manly’ characteristics as a fighter (power, strength, aggressiveness) then you’re not sexy enough for a press release. But when you’re embodying too many female characteristics then you’re not a good athlete & you’re not taken seriously.

Promotions need to back up their female fighters & stand behind them as athletes. Strikeforce should promote Cris better, they should invest in her as an athlete because I disagree that she doesn’t draw attention. I think many people would take one look at her, think ‘Who the hell is this?’ & then want to tune in to see what she does. Maybe you don’t think she’s sexy but you have to respect what she brings into that cage.

I know this is just how the world works, but I think a few more checks & balances on the end of high level promotions would send a more positive message.

MadHouse – I agree with you 100%, Sarah Kaufman is in the same boat at 12-0.
Whats your favorite thing to do in the snow? eh

River – Fly to Mexico. lol

MadHouse – Thank you very much for the interview River, MMAmadhouse wishes you the best in life and your career. We will be keeping an eye on RIVER JONES. Feel free to thank whom ever you’d like.

River – Thanks to my coaches & teammates & to my family who support me & put up with intense training schedules, weight cuts, & help nurse injuries. Good luck with your site & thanks for the chat.

Props to River for the photos