Wombat Sports is continuing its efforts to profile some of those fighters under the age of 18 that will be the future of combat sports; be it MMA, boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu.
If you have a fighter under 18 you want to be featured comment below.
You can read all the “Future Stars” we have featured so far here.
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Coming out of SWAT MMA in Winter Haven, Florida, Catlin :”Meathook” Kelley is looking to be a star in the UFC when she grows up.
And she is on her way. Winning her first grappling titles in 2011, the ten year old fighter executed a flying armbar this past summer (video) that would make Rose Namajunas proud. She has also branched out to kickboxing, gaining the IKF World Classic Jr. Novice Girls Welterweight International Rules Championship this year.
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Wombat Sports: What got you interested in getting involved in combat sports?
Catlin Kelley: My brother saw a commercial on tv for a mixed martial arts school and I wanted to try it out.
Wombat: What do you enjoy about it?
Kelley: I enjoy every part of it. I love competing, learning new skills,and making friends who enjoy the same things.
W.S.: How has your friends and classmates reacted to it?
C.K.: Most of my friends are in the mma community and those that aren’t think it’s cool. Classmates I do not have since I am homeschooled, and since I am it allows me to travel for training and competitions more.
W.S.: How about your family?
C.K.: My family supports me 100 percent. My brother and sister always go to the tournaments with me and cheer me on.
W.S.: Who do you look up to in fighting?
C.K.: Debi Purcell, Tecia Tiny Tornado, Ronda Rousey and my Coach Shawn Sandman Valentin.
W.S.: How do you feel about the future of females in MMA?
C.K.: I am excited that women are now in the UFC and it gives me a chance to compete when I am older.
W.S.: What comes naturally to you in fighting? What have you found difficult?
C.K.: I feel all of it comes naturally, I have been training all of it since I was 6. I find turning it off, not training all the time, hard to do.
W.S.: What are your aspirations in fighting?
C.K.: I want to be a UFC Champion, I want to own my own school also.
W.S.: Anything you want to add/thank?
C.K.: I want to thank my sponors Fighter Girls, Impact Custom Mouthguards,Florida Embrodiery,and Future Fighterz. I also want to thank SWAT MMA in Winter Garden FL, my coaches Jeffery Montalbano, Shawn Valentin,Julian Williams, and my striking coach Mike Sgroi.
Filed under: MMA
