Wombat Sports: Interview with XFC Fighter Heather Clark

Courtesy Anthony Demattos

Two of the future stars of the super-flyweight division are set to collide in Knoxville, TN this Friday at XFC: High Stakes live on HDNet. #10 Unified ranked Marianna Kheyfets will taken on team Jackson’s Heather Clark in a battle to climb the ladder.
Clark went 3-0 in 2011, finsihing all thee of her opponets. Her KO of April Courtino won Knockout of the Year honors at the Women’s MMA Awards. We got a chance to talk to Clark about her upcoming match and her prospects in the ever expanding 125 division.

Wombat Sports: Both you and Kheyfets are both coming in on four fight win streaks coming into your fight. Has that put on any more pressure than usual?

Heather Clark: I don’t feel more pressure from this at all. Actually my last 3 opponents were undefeated. I think that I actually have an advantage because she doesn’t know what it feels like to be dominated. So if I do my job and break her will, I will win.
Wombat: What do you think of Kheyfets as an opponent?

Clark: I think she is a tuff, well rounded fighter from a respected camp. I know she will be ready and has been training extra hard for this fight. The moment of truth in near… We shall see Friday night.
W.S.: Kheyfets states that she is willing to stand and bang with you. Do you feel that striking will be a factor in this fight?
H.C.: I think that she will stand and bang with me until she feels my power, and then she will try to take me down. I am ready for everything. As always my goal is to finish the fight!

Team Jackson/Winkeljohn MMA

W.S.: You are training with some of the best female fighters as Jackson’s. How does it feel to have a great support system behind you?
H.C.: It is the best! That is why I moved to Albuquerque from LA almost 3 years ago. I came for the amazing coaches and outstanding woman training partners. They give me my confidence when I get in that cage. I always say this in my interviews, but its so true… If I can come out of the cage or ring after sparring with Julie Kedzie, Michelle Waterson, Holly Holm, Jodie Esquibel, Nohime Dennison, Emily Kagen… and all the other amazing male fighters we have that are always pushing me past my limits… the fight will be easy. Train hard fight easy right!

Courtesy GG Hotshots

W.S.: The 125 division is growing by leaps and bounds. What do you think about the division?
H.C.: I think the 125 and 135 division are the biggest divisions for women. I am not completely sure if I am going to stay at 125 or drop to 115. I may just compete at both. My goal is to the best at one or both divisions.
W.S.: This fight will be on HDNet. Any nerves going on TV?
H.C.: There is some nerves because finally my team will be able to watch me. However in my case, nerves have always been a positive thing for me. I have a BA in Theatre Arts, so I actually feel I perform better under pressure and with that nervous energy. I know that when I get in that cage, all those things go out the window anyways. I am so focused on my opponent and what I have to do. I visualize all the elements over and over before the fight even happens.
W.S.: Anyone you’d like to thank?
H.C.: I would like to thank my biggest fan and supporter, my DAD, who has been in every one of my corners. I also want to thank the rest of my family for always supporting all of my dreams.
I want to thank my teammates and coaches from Jackson/Winkeljohns and Mean One MMA and Fitness. All my amazing sponsors, Vega, LaBella Spa and Salon, Tussle, Full Contact Fighter, Dr Maggio my chiropractor from Downtown Chiropractic, OTM fightshop Albuquerque, Andrew Demattos Photography.
I would like to thank my Manager Train from DC management. He has been such an amazing manager and I am so thankful for having him! BoOM!
And lastly I want to thank XFC for giving me this amazing opportunity to fight on their awesome promotion, and for believing in me and singing a multi deal with me!