An Exclusive Interview With Brazilian Standout Vanessa Porto
An Exclusive Interview With Brazilian Standout Vanessa Porto
By Cole Vick on October 17, 2013
Vanessa Porto is a Standout Brazilian
powerhouse, she has an astounding body of
work in her Native land of Brazil as well as here in the States. The 8 year veteran made her
transition to the United States in July of 2012
against some of the strongest names in the
Womens Bantamweight Division of Invicta
Fighting Championship. Porto now fights at the Womens Flyweight
division, and is adequately ranked number 3 in
the division. She recently had one of the
toughest fights seen on the Invicta cage Against
Flyweight champion Barb Honchak at Invicta 5
on April 5th of this year. At the young age of 30, Vanessa porto has
fought some of the strongest names in the
Womens Bantamweight and Womens Flyweight
division.
This striking and jiu jitsu ace has a
phemonenal skillset and an endless gas tank. She
brings excitement and intensity every time she
steps into the octagon, no matter the result on
the judges scorecards. In 2012, shortly before
starting her Invicta FC career, Porto held the
Pink Fight Bantamweight belt in an amazing
fight with Luana Teixeira ending the fight by
second round knockout. Porto is very well
rounded, and brings many danger for any
opponent that is placed in front of her
CV: Hello Vanessa, I hope all is going well in
your training, and I want to thank you for the
time out out of your training to conduct this
interview. To start things off, What got you into
mma?
Vanessa: I Always participated in sports, and
when I started training jiu jitsu in 2004 , my
Master Pedro Iglesias saw that I had a talent for
fighting.And I was encouraged to attend MMA
events.
CV: Most of your career, you fought at Womens
Bantamweight.You now fight at Womens
Featherweight. You have had a lot of success in
both divisions, do you have any aspirations to
return to this weight class?
Vanessa: I have no preference by category , I
have fought both in 125 and in the 135.out of
my 21 fights I have been in 19 of them at 135
“To clarify, I believe that Vanessa is saying she
just got to the 125 lb weight class and wants to
see what the division has to offer before going
back”
CV: In your fight career,you have secured
victories in all of the possible ways,which are
knockout, submission and judges scorecards. I
feel as though you are a well rounded fighter,
and your record reflects it. Of all your methods
of victory, which would you say is your favorite
way to finish a fight?
Vanessa: I love the KO, it is the most exciting
way to finish the fight
CV: All of your loses have come to established
fighters, including current champs Barb
Honchak and Cyborg Santos. Of all of your
losses, which one would you most like to
avenge?
Vanessa: Barb Honchak! I know I did not lose
that fight, despite having been a exelente fight, I
would love to do a rematch
CV: Despite being 1-1 at 125 lbs, you are
currently ranked as the #3 Flyweight in WMMA
by the Unified WMMA rankings. Do you think
that gives you an argument for another title shot
against the winner of Honchak and Smith, or do
you feel that there is someone else ahead of you
in the IFC Flyweight rankings who should get the next
shot?
Vanessa: I feel really good , and I’m prepared to
fight for the belt , but this largely depends on the
event and those who fights who at the next
fight.
CV: Your next fight is up against Zoila Frausto
Gurgel. Gurgel is known for her grinding style,
but you’re known for your aggressiveness. Have
you been working on keeping the fight standing
to suit your preference or are you ok with it
turning into a grappling match?
Vanessa: I am training intensively on my muay
thai and boxing for this fight. I am prepared to
take this fight wherever it needs to go.
I am going into this fight very different.
CV: You fought in Brazilian promotions for the
majority of your career. Is there a difference in
fighting in Brazil, and fighting over here in the
states?
Vanessa: I think it depends on the training of
every athlete . Both in Brazil and in the U.S. has
made great fights with great athletes.
CV: In the last year, UFC created the first
female division in the companies history. What
are your thoughts on the landscape of WMMA.
on its progression and its growth? where do you
see WMMA in the future?
Vanessa: I see it very well … A great evolution
for female MMA .
CV: Where are you currently training, and who
are your training partners. Also, have you added
anyone special to prepare for your upcoming
fight?
Vanessa: I’m in Litlle Falls NJ , at Academy
MMAUNIVERSITY, I am Training with Ricardo
Ruiz , Bob , among others, but my training
partner everyday is my Master Pedro Iglesias
CV: I see you have had a lot of success in
amateur boxing. do you feel as though that
presents an advantage for you in this upcoming
fight?
Vanessa: Yes! any advantage in a fight can be
capitalized upon with proper training. and the
better the competition, the better the fight itself
CV: . Does being married to your trainer present
advantages in your training or disadvantages as a
fighter and in your personal life?
Vanessa: Its just another day at the office. I am a
professional, and the staff knows me. I imagine
that would put everything into perspective in the
house.
CV: You set an example to the young women
aspiring to be professional athletes. What advice
would you give to a young woman watching
your career and progression aspiring to be a
respected fighter like yourself?
Vanessa: Keep your focus and determination on
your goal, always. Never let it out of your reach!
CV: Do you find it more or less comfortable
fighting in an all women’s mma promotion?
Vanessa: way more comfortable! Because it is
100 % better media exposure.
CV: Do you have any final comments?
Vanessa: I appreciate the offer to speak with
you. Have a great day.
-Joe Calderon contributed to this interview.
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