Laura Howarth "Put me in against Jessamyn Duke now and i’ll tell you it would be a whole different ball game!"
By Alex Dillon @_AlexDillon_
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| Copyright: Dolly Clew | Cage Warriors |
Fighting out of Gym01 in Portsmouth home to the likes of Phil Harris and James Brum, Laura Howarth is ready to take the Women's MMA scene in the UK by storm. Currently 2-0 in her career (all through Cage Warriors) following a stint on season 18 of the Ultimate Fighter, Howarth is rapidly heading toward the top of her division in the UK following wins over Emma Delaney and highly touted Amanda Kelly.
We recently caught up with Howarth who fights Lina Akhtar Lansberg this Friday at Cage Warriors 71 in Amman,Jordan to discuss her time of TUF, Fighting alongside tops stars at Gym 01, and of course Lansberg.
Alex: Thanks for taking the time out to talk to us during the lead up to your fight Laura, so how has your preparation gone so far?
Howarth: Preparation has been great for this fight, my coach Brian decides the game plan and then we drill it, over and over and over until its perfect!!
Alex: You’re 2-0 in your career so far with all wins coming in Cage Warriors, how happy are you so far with your career progression?
Howarth: I’m very happy, I mean who can complain at a record without a loss, against tough people who were top contenders in the division when I fought them. Cage warriors is the best way for me to gain experience and get my career going!
Alex: Even though you were unsuccessful in your tryout for TUF season 18, were there certain things you picked up experience wise that you have incorporated into your game since and has your tryout made you even hungrier to get back to that stage again?
Howarth: To be honest I wasn’t experienced enough to do TUF, I just wanted to test myself against international professionals to see where i was at. After I did TUF, I moved to Gym01 and its been onwards and upwards since. Put me in against Jessamyn Duke now and I’ll tell you, it would be a whole different ball game, I would open up every one of her weaknesses!
Alex: You train at Gym 01 in Portsmouth with fighters such as the UFC’s Phil Harris and Cage Warriors stand out James Brum, how important is it that you’re surrounded by these well experienced fighters day in day out, seeing as you’re in the early stages of your career?
Howarth: Well James is gonna be my cornerman in this next fight so its very important to have him around me, but yeah these guys kick my ass every damn day and its mentally frustrating. I have days where I’m so fed up with it, I’m about ready to quit, but that's when I have to remember that A- they are a lot more experienced than me, B- better than me and C- their guys and much stronger (as much as I don’t like to admit it) and in turn that makes me a better fighter!!
Alex: You’ve had two decision wins so far in your career, what have you taken from them in terms of what areas you have highlighted where you have wanted to improve?
Howarth: I do not want to be known as the girl that decisions everyone! The 1st fight, pro debut nerves and a stomach bug but I won, and that was me on a bad day! Against Amanda, she has some serious skills. The game plan was to grind out the win and I did it, but this next fight is gonna be a lot of fun and I want show everyone I can do more than dance around that cage.
Alex: Onto your opponent Lina Akhtar Lansberg, have you had the opportunity to study her fights, if so, what weaknesses will you be looking to exploit?
Howarth: Mmmmm Lina yeah, I watched a couple of her fights. I don’t really think that her fight against Emma Delany showed her true skills, but it opened some weaknesses to my eyes. If she makes a mistake I will exploit it, if she shows weakness I will exploit it!!
Alex: Is there any area in your camp that you have specifically focused on for this fight? How do you see the fight going for yourself?
Howarth: I think with Lina being more of an all rounder I have had to work on / improve everything. I can’t tell you exactly what I have been working on, that would be like telling you the end of a film before you watch it. I think every fighter sees themselves winning, if you didn’t then you shouldn’t be there!
Alex: With an impressive win over Lansberg, do you believe that you will be edging closer to a possible UFC call up given that their 135lb division still has a lot of potential for any woman fighter who can break into it’s top 10?
Howarth: Of course every win brings you that step closer to where you want to be. Whether it's the UFC or Invicta, I will fight until I get to where I feel I want to be but i don’t think even with a win over Lina I have enough experience to fight those girls yet, unless its Jessamyn Duke, I would take that fight tomorrow!!
Alex: As a current prospect, where do you see yourself in 2 years time? Do you have a clear vision of how you want your career to pan out over the next few years?
Howarth: So in 2 years time that's a possibility of another 8 fights say, hopefully making me 11-0-0. I’d like to think I’m fighting for top promotions earning a living, and doing exactly what I want to do.
Alex: Finally, who would you like to thank in the lead up to the fight?
Howarth: First and foremost I have to thank my team mates and coach Brian Adams at Gym01 who always help me and put me through my paces, they are an amazing team and I couldn’t do it without them.
Alex Backhouse Strength and Conditioning - gets me in the best condition possible, I’m hitting PB’s Left right and centre right now. Check out his website and blogs www.alexbackhouse.com
Physiques Nutrition- Gets my weight down, timing is perfect, still have the energy to train. He is a Ninja no joke, this guy is a nutritional genius!!
KC Global- My dads business who very kindly sponsor my medicals with Safe MMA which is a big help!!
Rob at Mindsport Consulting has been great always at the end of the phone or email. When I have had a tough session and need someone to see the positives for me, he gets my mind ready and focused!!
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