MMA News caught up with atomweight Nicdali “The Night Queen” Rivera- Calanoc, ahead of her Combate 10 co-main event fight against Lisbeth Lopes-Silva in Mexico City tonight.
Nicdali spoke this week to MMA News’ Tim Thompson about a wide range of subjects including her relationship with “best friend” and “inspiration” Miesha Tate, her friendship with Amanda Nunes and her dream to fight in Spain one day.
While not having the same level of fame as her friend “Cupcake”, Rivera-Calanic has been fighting on the professional circuit for almost 11 years. “The Night Queen”, now 31, has fought in Japan, Puerto Rico and all over the U.S.A. When asked if there was anywhere else that she would like to fight in, Nicdali’s answered:
“Yes, Europe. Spain. I have Spanish roots, and would love to go there and see what that’s like and really take that in, and fight in front of the Spanish fans”
Speaking about the importance of her Mexican heritage, the 18-9-9 fighter had alluded to her desire to be an inspiration to those in a similar position to how she was, while being thankful to America for the opportunities she has had:
“For me, being a Mexican immigrant, I just really want to inspire people like myself to show that hard work and dedication can get you anything you want in America. I’m living the American dream, you know? And I want to show them that”.
Nicdali also states how she is in her prime, and feels: “more mature, more motivated and more driven” and is certain that she is in the peak of her career.
MMA News caught up with atomweight Nicdali “The Night Queen” Rivera- Calanoc, ahead of her Combate 10 co-main event fight against Lisbeth Lopes-Silva in Mexico City tonight.
Nicdali spoke this week to MMA News’ Tim Thompson about a wide range of subjects including her relationship with “best friend” and “inspiration” Miesha Tate, her friendship with Amanda Nunes and her dream to fight in Spain one day.
While not having the same level of fame as her friend “Cupcake”, Rivera-Calanic has been fighting on the professional circuit for almost 11 years. “The Night Queen”, now 31, has fought in Japan, Puerto Rico and all over the U.S.A. When asked if there was anywhere else that she would like to fight in, Nicdali’s answered:
“Yes, Europe. Spain. I have Spanish roots, and would love to go there and see what that’s like and really take that in, and fight in front of the Spanish fans”
Speaking about the importance of her Mexican heritage, the 18-9-9 fighter had alluded to her desire to be an inspiration to those in a similar position to how she was, while being thankful to America for the opportunities she has had:
“For me, being a Mexican immigrant, I just really want to inspire people like myself to show that hard work and dedication can get you anything you want in America. I’m living the American dream, you know? And I want to show them that”.
Nicdali also states how she is in her prime, and feels: “more mature, more motivated and more driven” and is certain that she is in the peak of her career.
I love Leslie Smith, but there’s no way I’m not using this kickface. PhotoProps: Esther Lin / Invicta FC
Invicta continues to impress with good matchmaking and stellar action in its latest card, and for the first time, Invicta is available widely through pay per view, leaving behind any old issues with UStream. Apparently this is the first all-female MMA pay per view, so it’s a historic night, and the fights delivered, as usual.
Since I’ve already effectively spoiled the main event for you, why not follow along as I talk out loud about how cool the show was and which ladies be scary.
CagePotato’s Professional Gangsta “Thug” Rose Namajunas was glorious in defeat last night, putting on a highly entertaining bout with Tecia Torres that was an early pick for Fight of the Night. Namajunas looked for a flying armbar, but I guess Torres had heard something about it.
Also, Thug Rose gives zero fucks about your stupid resets, Big John:
I love Leslie Smith, but there’s no way I’m not using this kickface. PhotoProps: Esther Lin / Invicta FC
Invicta continues to impress with good matchmaking and stellar action in its latest card, and for the first time, Invicta is available widely through pay per view, leaving behind any old issues with UStream. Apparently this is the first all-female MMA pay per view, so it’s a historic night, and the fights delivered, as usual.
CagePotato’s Professional Gangsta “Thug” Rose Namajunas was glorious in defeat last night, putting on a highly entertaining bout with Tecia Torres that was an early pick for Fight of the Night. Namajunas looked for a flying armbar, but I guess Torres had heard something about it.
Also, Thug Rose gives zero fucks about your stupid resets, Big John:
Seriously, Namajunas is awesome. I would have beaten her boyfriend in a dance-off and claimed her hand and probably given her my team jacket by now, but her boyfriend has tree trunks for legs and he smiles a lot. You don’t fuck with a guy like that.
Miriam Nakamoto is NASTY, son.
A former Muay Thai champ, Nakamoto leaves a wake of knee-shaped dents everywhere she goes, and now carries a 2-0 record (plus this one NC versus Jessamyn Duke on the last Invicta card, on account of one of her vicious knees being illegal). ”The Queen of Mean” is just one of the bright spots on the horizon at 135.
Also looking bright is the strawweight division.
Mizuki Inoue is a new prospect out of Japan. Her striking looked very crisp against fan favorite Bec Hyatt — at just eighteen years old, she looks like she’s been boxing since she was a zygote. Inoue took a decision win for the upset, and now stands at 6-1. Keep an eye on her.
Also at 115: Claudia Gadelha, JoJo Calderwood and the aforementioned Torres-Namajunas scrap all looked like talented athletes coming up in the sport. Gadelha will get a title shot against current strawweight champ Carla Esparza; Calderwood and Torres both move up in the pecking order. Namajunas gets to vlog for you assholes. So really, who wins?
That’s Leslie “The Peacemaker” Smith up top getting footed in the face, in her first fight at 125. Her opponent Jennifer Maia is coming off an upset victory over Zoila Frausto, and the two will turn in a thrilling three-rounder.
You may have heard me say good things about Smith when she fought at 135, now ten pounds lighter at flyweight she’s a beast. As suspected, Smith’s decision victory was good enough to earn her the next crack at 125 pound champ Barb Honchak (although turn in another Fight of the Night performance — Smith’s third — probably doesn’t hurt).
Atomweight standout Jessica Penne got back on track with a first round sub of Nicdai Rivera-Calanoc, but there’s a bit of chatter about her shove after the tap. Check it out and you tell me.
Kind of a dick move, right?
Ediane Gomes did not fight, because like twenty fighters pulled out of this card and it was all kinds of crazy. Also no one wants to get worked by the scary Brazilian lady that doesn’t have a big name. At least if Cyborg knocks you out, people can be like “Well yeah, it was Cyborg, the fuck did you expect?”
Full results:
145 lb. title: Cris Cyborg Justino def. Marloes Coenen via TKO (punches and elbows) in round four
115 lbs.: Claudia Gadelha def. Ayaka Hamasaki via TKO at 3:58 of round three
135 lbs.: Lauren Taylor def. Sarah D’Alelio via UD (30-27, 29-28×2)
125 lbs.: Leslie Smith def. Jennifer Maia via UD (30-27×2, 29-28), Fight of the Night
105 lbs.: Jessica Penne def. Nicdali Rivera-Calanoc via submission (rear naked choke) at 4:57 of round one, Sub of the Night
115 lbs.: Joanne Calderwood def. Norma Rueda Center via UD (30-27, 29-28×2)
115 lbs.: Mizuki Inoue def. Bec Hyatt via UD (29-28 x3)
135 lbs.: Miriam Nakamoto def. Duda Yankovich via KO in round one, KO of the Night
115 lbs.: Tecia Torres def. Rose Namajunas via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28)
Prelims
115 lbs.: Emily Kagan def. Ashley Cummins via split decision (30-27×2, 29-28)
115 lbs.: Livia von Plettenberg def Kathina Catron via UD (30-27, 29-28×2)
I don’t know how you have a staredown with a French accent, but I’m pretty sure Romy Ruyssen (right) is doing it.
So let’s get this out of the way: I live in Kansas.
No, I don’t know what the hell a jayhawk is. I’m not actually from here.
Anyways, Invicta Fighting Championships is going down just a short drive away in Kansas City, so I was quick to accept when I was offered a chance to be a member of the fight media for the inaugural Invicta FC card.
There were a few hiccups at the weigh-ins: for some reason, they did not set up a raised platform for me to set up upon. As a result my pictures and video were of decidedly low quality. (As a recompense, please enjoy a few pictures courtesy of Invicta’s own photographer, Esther Lin.)
I don’t know how you have a staredown with a French accent, but I’m pretty sure Romy Ruyssen (right) is doing it.
So let’s get this out of the way: I live in Kansas.
No, I don’t know what the hell a jayhawk is. I’m not actually from here.
Anyways, Invicta Fighting Championships is going down just a short drive away in Kansas City, so I was quick to accept when I was offered a chance to be a member of the fight media for the inaugural Invicta FC card.
There were a few hiccups at the weigh-ins: for some reason, they did not set up a raised platform for me to set up upon. As a result my pictures and video were of decidedly low quality. (As a recompense, please enjoy a few pictures courtesy of Invicta’s own guest photographer, Esther Lin.)
Nicdali Rivera-Calanoc and Amy Davis are going to the death, bro.
Four of twenty-two fighters missed weight, despite the emphasis Invicta co-founders Shannon Knapp and Janet Martin have have placed on establishing weight classes and staying away from catchweights. Notably, Romy Ruyssen had a brutal cut, weighing in first at 150.4 pounds for her featherweight bout with Marloes Coenen.
Randi Miller, an Olympic wrestling medalist making her debut, also missed weight, also coming in five pounds (4.8, whatever) for a 145 pound bout. For full results, check out my boy Rob Sargent at MMARising.com.
Hopefully, with a little stability in weight classes the women will be able to stop yo-yoing their body weights in order to get fights, and reliably make weight.
Liz “The Girl-Rilla” Carmouche vs vs Ashleigh Curry, photobomb by Manolo Hernandez, coach of Team Hurricane Awesome.
“is watching an all lady Weigh-in Hot?” Yes if you’re the type to get a holocaust boner.
There, now you’re going to Hell, too.
Now, maybe Sarah “Big Monster” D’Alelio had a calculated makeover to make her appear more likely to sting you with a left jab and punt you in the neck — but it’s kinda working.
Best #BadPickUpLinesAtInvictaFC (so far):
@12ozCurls: You look really good after you’ve cut all that weight, can I buy you a glass of water?
@Jay_Spaceman: You’ve got great hands. I bet they make a mean sandwich.
Looks like a fun night of fights tomorrow. Make sure you tune-in; I might do something crazy and wind up in the broadcast.
(Like we needed a reason to run this photo again.Props: MMARecap via MiddleEasy)
There were a lot of questions coming into last night’s XFO 39. Would this mark the last appearance of Jeff “Big Frog” Curran? How would Jamie Varner fair in what is not only his first fight since being released by the UFC, but a welterweight bout nonetheless? Can Felice Herrig vs. Nicdali Rivera-Calanoc possibly live up to the pre-fight staredown? The short answers are maybe, pretty well and of course not. Tune in after the jump for more details.
(Like we needed a reason to run this photo again.Props: MMARecap via MiddleEasy)
There were a lot of questions coming into last night’s XFO 39. Would this mark the last appearance of Jeff “Big Frog” Curran? How would Jamie Varner fair in what is not only his first fight since being released by the UFC, but a welterweight bout nonetheless? Can Felice Herrig vs. Nicdali Rivera-Calanoc possibly live up to the pre-fight staredown? The short answers are maybe, pretty well and of course not. Tune in after the jump for more details.
Jeff Curran easily handled the .500 Strikeforce veteran Billy Vaughan. When he wasn’t busy countering every strike Vaughan threw, Curran was attempting submissions from his guard. However, Curran was unable to finish Vaughan, and instead ended up with a unanimous decision victory.
After the fight, Big Frog let it be known that he was just a little disappointed with his current situation. “This is the last damn time I’m fighting in the XFO,” he said before announcing that unless the UFC offers him a contract, he plans on retiring. Will a unanimous decision over Billy Vaughan be enough to get Jeff Curran a UFC contract? If not, then is Jeff Curran serious about retirement? Only time will tell. For what it’s worth, Jeff Curran told Sherdog.com after the fight that he was unable to finish off Billy Vaughan due to a foot injury he suffered during the fight.
In welterweight action, former WEC lightweight champion Jamie Varner handled journeyman Tyler Combs with ease. Jamie Varner abused Combs on the feet before nailing a double-leg. After working the ground and pound, Varner transitioned to north-south and locked in a deep choke that made Combs go out. Total time? 90 seconds.
As for Felice Herrig vs. Nicdali Rivera-Calanoc, all you need to see is Nicdali Rivera-Calanoc’s entrance. Rivera-Calanoc walked out to the cage shouting “YES!”, Diego Sanchez style. As for the actual fight, Nicdali Rivera-Calanoc spent most of the fight clinching with Felice Herrig, despite Herrig consistently getting the better of the clinch exchanges. Herrig spent the rest of the fight controlling Rivera-Calanoc’s back on her way to a unanimous decision victory.
Jeff Curran def. Billy Vaughan via unanimous decision
Jamie Varner def. Tyler Combs via technical submission (north-south choke) in round 1
Felice Herrig def. Nicdali Rivera-Calanoc via unanimous decision
Mike Stumpf def. Dan Bolden via unanimous decision in round 3
Dan Aguirre def. Terrance Kinney via submission (triangle armbar) in round 1
XFO 39 goes down tonight at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, featuring Jeff Curran’s “win or retire” match against Billy Vaughn, Jamie Varner‘s first post-WEC match against Tyler Combs, and a women’s bout between the lovely Felice Herrig and 7-4 Tulsa-based scrapper Nicdali Rivera-Calanoc. At yesterday’s weigh-ins, Felice and Nicdali produced one of the greatest staredown photos in recent memory. (Whether you prefer this one or Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Belfort pretty much depends on if you prefer chicks or dudes. Sorry. That’s the deal.) XFO 39 will be streamed live on alienwarearena.com/mma; the card kicks off at 7 p.m.
XFO 39 goes down tonight at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, featuring Jeff Curran’s “win or retire” match against Billy Vaughn, Jamie Varner‘s first post-WEC match against Tyler Combs, and a women’s bout between the lovely Felice Herrig and 7-4 Tulsa-based scrapper Nicdali Rivera-Calanoc. At yesterday’s weigh-ins, Felice and Nicdali produced one of the greatest staredown photos in recent memory. (Whether you prefer this one or Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Belfort pretty much depends on if you prefer chicks or dudes. Sorry. That’s the deal.) XFO 39 will be streamed live on alienwarearena.com/mma; the card kicks off at 7 p.m.
