10 Questions With Zoila Frausto (7/19/2010)

[DarrickPatrick]

10 Questions With Zoila Frausto (by Darrick Patrick)

Zoila "Warrior Princess" Frausto is a professional mixed martial artist who has appeared in organizations such as Strikeforce, Bellator Fighting Championships, The Warriors Cage, PureCombat, Tachi Palace Fights, Wargods, Ken Shamrock Productions, and Disturbing The Peace. At the time of this interview, her next scheduled match is against Jessica Pene in the first round of the 115-pound women's tournament of Bellator Fighting Championships at BFC 25 on August 19th, 2010.

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

Zoila: I've pretty much been an athlete and in competition since I was able to walk. I think that was due to the fact that my dad was hoping for another boy. (Laughs) Anyway, long story short, by the time I was almost done playing college soccer I found myself being too competitive and using a little too much aggression while playing. I was getting red cards left and right for hurting other players and making too much contact. I was dying for a sport that was more competitive and more of a challenge, so I figured one-on-one combat was the answer. I was in a local gym one day and found Team Pro Buhawe doing strength and conditioning for MMA. I met the guys and the trainer, Jasper Tayaba, and the rest was pretty much history.

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

Zoila: Start from the very beginning. There is so much to learn. Stay focused and never give up.

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

Zoila: My main trainer Kru Jasper Tayaba for teaching me every bit of the art of Muay Thai which has got me to where I am today. My boyfriend/coach/mentor Jorge Gurgel for being inspirational in my journey as a world champ. Also, for having so much success in this sport and for the passion he shows while teaching and building champions. I have always been a great and strong fighter, but he helped bring the champion out of me...and for that, I have the utmost respect for him. I have also followed the career of Georges St-Pierre (GSP) for years and he has been great for the sport. He is a true professional athlete and represents mixed martial arts in one of the best ways possible. He is a great example of how a true champion should speak, look, act, and perform.

Darrick: Your next scheduled match is against Jessica Pene on August 19th. What are your thoughts about this upcoming fight?

Zoila: She looks to be a good match-up for me. She is 7-0 and I am 7-1, so it should be a pretty good match. From the fights I've seen of her she looks to have good stand-up and she has finished some good fighters with submissions, but I can guarantee that I'll be going into this fight the bigger and stronger fighter. Especially having fought at 135 and 125 pounds, I'm used to fighting bigger girls and did pretty good against them, hence my 7-1 record. I feel that I will overwhelm her with my power and size, on top of my techique. I'm going into this fight and tournament as confident as ever. I am finally able to put my speed, timing, power, and accuracy together in my striking. My wrestling and Jiu-Jitsu are improving so much more as well. I'm so excited and it's still very early in my MMA career.

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

Zoila: The discipline and the mental focus I've been able to carry with me in my everyday life. Also, the feeling of accomplishment that I get after giving it my all in training or a fight, and pushing myself past my limits. The feeling of accomplishment in my heart is something that nobody can ever take away from me.

Darrick: Are there any extra struggles being a female in mixed martial arts or do you believe it to be basically the same difficulty for both genders?

Zoila: I feel we do have more hurdles as females in this sport. It's bad enough that MMA is a male-dominated sport, but I feel we have to work so much harder to be accepted within mixed martial arts. The problem I came across a lot was some men saying, "Women just don't have the power to make exciting fights. You never see knockouts in female fights. They almost always go to decisions, which makes for boring fights because the fans want to see knockouts." (Smiles) Well, I just silenced all of those men with my last fight.

Darrick: Outside of MMA, what are your other interests?

Zoila: I am a complete adrenaline junkie, but I love being a woman as well. I'm into everything from riding street bikes to snowboarding, water sports, and anything really to get my heart rate up. On the other hand, I also love shopping, going to salons and spas, reading, hanging out, watching funny movies in theaters or at home, and goofing off with my sister and friends that make me laugh my ass off. Oh, and gorgeous symmetrical Brazilians with great hair, white teeth, a BJJ black belt, the confidence of a Spartan warrior, and a great sense of humor. (Laughs)

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Zoila: Getting into fist fights with older brother every single day. One short story is from when he wouldn't take me to soccer practice, so I tried to steal his truck. He ran outside and jumped on the hood, hanging on while I tried to drive to practice. He ended up jumping off, opening the door, and we went at it. Kicking, punching, and screaming. (Laughs) We were crazy kids, that's for damn sure.

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

Zoila: Here's an interesting fact, I did not have a single amateur fight before turning pro. I had a few Muay Thai smokers, which is like sparring with protective gear on from head-to-toe, but that was it. I guess I was just a natural when it came to one-on-one combat. I kind of consider my first five or six pro fights that I had as my amateur career because I'm still fairly new to the sport. Even though my competition was legit and were all professional, I still felt that I could've performed better with more experience...and I'm getting there. To be able to keep up with and beat the best in the world at this early stage in my MMA career, with still so much to learn, I feel that I can be an unstoppable force in the near future.

Darrick: What moments in your life have you been proudest of so far?

Zoila: June 24th of this year gave me my proudest moments by far! When I knocked out the number one 125-pound woman in the world, that was supposed to completely demolish me, that was the best feeling in my life ever. All my blood, sweat, and tears finally paid off. To shut up the critics and finally show everyone that I deserve to be where I'm at, it meant the world to me to accomplish something in life like that. Especially after all the hard work, sacrifices I've made, and the road I came from. Also, to see the looks on the faces of my family, trainers, and friends after my big win were moments in life I'll never forget. I brought them happiness that day and that made me feel unbelievable. God has blessed me and I'm so very happy.

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 Zoila Frausto in the following places:

Official Zoila Frausto MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/zfrausto1

Official Zoila Frausto Facebook Site:

http://www.facebook.com/people/Zoila-Frausto/1298012966

Official Zoila Frausto Facebook Group:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Zoila-Frausto-Fan-Page/368786032727

Official Zoila Frausto Twitter Area:

http://www.twitter.com/zoilafrausto

Zoila Frausto on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Zoila-Frausto-42572

Zoila Frausto Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:

http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/42572