Jessamyn Duke
Jessamyn Duke was in attendance at Absolute Action MMA 23. Jessamyn is 4-2. She graciously gave us some of her time for a few questions.
Hits Like A Girl: You were supposed to fight on the AAMMA 23 card. Did you have an opponent scheduled or were they trying to get you on the card?
Jessamyn: They were just trying to get me on. They never had one confirmed then two weeks out, that’s when I would have started my weight cut, I decided to drop out. That way I could focus on the 3oth.
Hits Like A Girl: You have another fight lined up?
Jessamyn: I have one on March 30th for Resurrection Fighting Alliance in Nebraska.
Hits Like A Girl: They look like they are trying to work hard to promote female fights.
Jessamyn: They’ve got several really good female fighters. I know Elaina Maxwell is confirmed, mine is confirmed and I think they are working on a few more. It should be pretty good.
Hits Like A Girl: Do you know who you are fighting?
Jessamyn: Yes. Her name is Marciea Allen [5-2]. She is the Tuff-N-Uff 135 champ. So we will be fighting for the 135 belt.
Hits Like A Girl: What about your fight with Chandra Engel?
Jessamyn: That was, you know supposed to happen on January 14th and to my knowledge was good to go. The Wednesday before the fight it was ready to go and I went ahead and cut weight. Cut 15 pounds and I weighed in a 136. When I got over there and weighed in they told me they couldn’t find her. Couldn’t get a hold of her. Didn’t know where she was at. They were trying to locate her and call her, Nothing. And so we were hoping she might hit bad weather and might be caught up. I got a text the following morning saying she was going to be a no show.
Hits Like A Girl: We were at NAAFS the following week when she fought. She dedicated that fight to her grandfather (who I believe had passed). Has she tried to contact you?
Jessamyn: Right. She wrote me a message apologizing. Basically saying that. And I said I appreciated the effort and the sentiment, but I would have appreciated the more warning. It was my first time cutting to 135. It wasn’t and easy cut; it wasn’t fun. Not having to fight, that’s messed up, but going through the weight cut, the mental preparation, the night before the weigh ins. You’re ready to go, then the let down. That’s what was really terrible. That’s what I basically told her. You know how awful it is [to cut]. Don’t inflict that on anyone else.
Hits Like A Girl: You’re cutting for this fight too?
Jessamyn: Yep. You know, like I said the first time I cut to 135 I did a practice cut. I got close so I knew it was possible. The next one I made it and it was great. And this time I think it will even easier. It’s going to get easier the more you do it.
Hits Like A Girl. Will you be fighting for RFA more often?
Jessamyn: Yeah definitely. This is possibly my last amateur fight. They have already discussed me being there for part of my pro career. So I will definitely be looking for something like that. There are a couple other organizations that have expressed interest in me. We will see in the Summer what happens. But they [RFA] are great.
Hits Like A Girl: If we wanted to get to know you, what do you think we should know?
Jessamyn: I’m pretty laid back, easy going, but I am a hard worker and dedicated to what I do. I want to be the best. I don’t want anyone to doubt that about me. I come to every fight prepared and ready to go. Even at this level I train like a professional. I take it real serious. I am pretty proud of that.
Hits Like A Girl: Anything you’d like to add.
Jessamyn: I appreciate you taking the time. It means a lot.
Hits Like A Girl: Thank you too.
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