10 Questions With Avery Vilche (7/20/2009)

[DarrickPatrick]

10 Questions With Avery Vilche (by Darrick Patrick)

Avery "Psycho" Vilche is a professional mixed martial artist who has competed in organizations such as Extreme Combat, Freestyle Cage Fighting, and Ken Shamrock Productions. At the time of this interview, her next scheduled match was supposed to be against Kathy Long in Call To Arms at CTA 2: Called Out MMA on August 15th, 2009. The fight however has now been postponed to a later date.

Darrick: What was the path that led you to competing professionally in mixed martial arts?

Avery: I started out as a boxer over twenty years ago. They didn't allow females to compete in amateur boxing at the time, so my coach talked me into trying out kickboxing. After that, I wrestled for Chico State. Then when I first saw mixed martial arts, I fell in love. It's a real fight. I knew right away that I had to step back into the ring.

Darrick: Do you feel as if there are any extra hurdles being a female in mixed martial arts or do you believe it to be basically the same struggle for both genders?

Avery: There are only three hurdles that come to mind. The first one is a lack of female sparring partners. Guys are a great - they just tend to outweigh us by several pounds. The second hurdle is the lack of a good payday since we are still very underpaid, even at the top level. The last one is that we are still not being allowed to compete in the UFC.

Darrick: Your next scheduled fight was supposed to be against Kathy Long on August 15th. What happened with this match being pulled from the card?

Avery: I had a viral infection of some sort going into my last fight which eventually spiraled into kidney failure. I guess I just got really dehydrated. I am very bummed that I can't fight Kathy next month. She is my hero, a wonderful fighter, and a real lady. I'm hoping I'll be able to fight her in November.

Darrick: What brings you the most fulfillment out of martial arts?

Avery: I love the adrenaline rush. I love going all out and totally testing myself against an opponent. There's nothing in the world like it.

Darrick: Who are a few of the people in the sport that you highly respect?

Avery: Well, there is five-time world kickboxing champion Kathy Long of course. Tara LaRosa is also one of my favorite fighters and she's so very well-rounded. As for the guys, B.J. Penn and Dan Henderson stand out for me.

Darrick: Any words of advice for other individuals looking to compete in MMA?

Avery: Find a good gym where they aren't just there to tear you up. Wear good gear and get a dentist to make you a custom mouthpiece. Also, run your ass off. You can never get in too much roadwork.

Darrick: Outside of mixed martial arts, what are your other interests?

Avery: I love to write, I enjoy teaching fitness classes, and I like belly dancing.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Avery: Boxing the boy next door in some lumpy old gloves and giving him a bloody nose.

Darrick: Tell us something about you that most people don't know.

Avery: I'm very nice and I'll go out of my way to help someone. Of course my clients at Mental Health know this already.

Darrick: If you had superpowers, what would they be?

Avery: I'd want to be able to fly. That would come in handy doing the Superman punch in the ring, don't you think?

FOR OTHER EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS BY DARRICK PATRICK:

http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=4974388&blogID=343519835

You can also check out Avery Vilche in the following places:

Official Avery Vilche MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/averyvilche

Official Avery Vilche Facebook Site:

http://www.facebook.com/avery.vilche

Official Avery Vilche Blogspot Page:

http://eskimowarrior.blogspot.com

Avery Vilche on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Avery-Vilche-24841