10 Questions With Tonya Evinger (by Darrick Patrick)
Tonya Evinger is a professional mixed martial artist who has appeared in organizations such as EliteXC, Platinum Fighting Productions, Fatal Femmes Fighting, Tuff-N-Uff, Extreme Wars, Kick Enterprises, ShoXC, and the International Fighting Championship.
Darrick: What path led you to competing in professional mixed martial arts?
Tonya: I competed in wrestling for thirteen years. I wrestled in junior high and high school, where I was the only girl. I was the first three-time high school national champ in the United States. I then made the Freestyle National Team when I was just a junior in high school - from there I wrestled overseas a lot and trained at the Olympic Training Center.
I was ranked number one in North America while in college - I got a scholarship to Missouri Valley College for wrestling. By the time I graduated college in 2004, I was burnt out on wrestling and was starting to look at MMA.
Darrick: Who are some of the people that greatly influenced you while growing up?
Tonya: Although I hate to say it, it was mainly my dad. He was an asshole, but I turned out pretty tough and a better person than him. All of the credit for my athleticism would have to go to my mom though, she was by my side no matter what sport I did. My mom is the reason that I started playing sports - my dad wouldn’t allow it. She took me where I needed to go, when I needed to go.
Darrick: What does a typical training session for you consist of?
Tonya: I would like to tell you in detail, but that would kill the secret that I have going on. Let’s just say that I have a crazy drill that I believe has helped me throughout my career. I will tell you though that I train twice a day - every day.
Darrick: Are there any extra hurdles being a female in mixed martial arts or do you believe it to be basically the same struggle for both genders?
Tonya: I think it’s harder to find fights and the pay isn’t the same at the level that I am at compared to a male at the same level. I don’t care about training issues: most guys don’t want to train with a girl and that’s fine with me because I’m the one that makes me a champion, not the guy that has too much pride to train with me. Plus, there’s plenty of other training partners.
Darrick: What brings you the most fulfillment out of martial arts?
Tonya: For me, it’s a sport that I can compete in and make a living doing. I’ve always competed in physical sports and finally found one that pays.
Darrick: Any words of advice for younger individuals looking to compete in the sport?
Tonya: Only that you find someone that you look up to and respect to train with. This sport is growing so fast and you need to have a good trainer. Everybody thinks they’re a fighter nowadays, so make sure you’re with someone who is good for you. You don’t need injuries early in the game, you need confidence.
Darrick: Outside of MMA, what are your other interests?
Tonya: Nothing really. If I’m not fighting, then I’m training my girl Malissa Sherwood or my two little brothers for fights. I love helping out at the OTM Fight Shops ’cause they rock.
Darrick: If you had three wishes, what would they be?
Tonya: Of course to win the lottery because I hate being poor, but I would sponsor hella’ athletes ’cause I know how hard it is out there. I also want to be the top female fighter because this is my sport right now and I always wanna’ be the champion at my sport. The third wish is for good health for my family.
Darrick: Tell us something about you that most people don’t know.
Tonya: It would probably be that I have massive OCDs. I am very obsessive compulsive about everything in my life. That includes other people’s sweat and germs to counting everything. Nobody notices, but it drives me crazy. I drive myself crazy.
Darrick: What is your oldest memory?
Tonya: When my family lived in Washington, my dad used to own a paint shop. I remember being in there while he was painting a car and I had to wear one of those face masks. I just remember thinking that my dad was hella’ cool because people needed him to do important stuff for them. Although, now I think: "Woopty-do, he painted a car."
FOR OTHER EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS BY DARRICK PATRICK:
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=4974388&blogID=343519835
You can also check out Tonya Evinger in the following places:
Official Tonya Evinger MySpace Profile:
http://www.myspace.com/tevinger
Tonya Evinger on Fight Finder:
http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?fighterID=18248
Tonya Evinger Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:
http://www.sherdog.com/news/Picture_gallery.asp?f_id=18248@@Tonya%20Evinger
Tags: Tonya Evinger Darrick Patrick Interview Interviews Mma Mixed Martial Arts
