By TXMMA Staff | Hannah Robinow
From sport karate to amateur MMA championships, Colbey Northcutt always has her eye on the prize
HOUSTON, TX, July 10, 2014 – Legacy Amateur Series women’s 135 lbs. champion Colbey Northcutt is a lifelong martial artist. With a background in multiple martial arts she’s been punching and kicking for as long as she can remember. As opposed to partying she spent copious amounts of time in kickboxing and BJJ classes throughout high school and college. That was no problem for her. She’s more focused on the task at hand (being the best athlete she can be) and prides herself on living a clean, faith-focused lifestyle.
The 6’ 0”, 21-year old is also riding a two-fight MMA win streak going back to June 2013, when she defeated Ashley Cannon via a guillotine choke submission 0:34 into the second round. A cerebral fighter who uses her range and reach to defend her opponents’ takedown attempts and counter with timely strikes, Colbey is always looking to improve. Her tactics were on full display vs. Cannon; Northcutt fired the first shot of the second round with a faked spinning back kick that pushed her past her opponent for a textbook-perfect clinch against the fence. Once there, the karate champ sank in a guillotine choke that left the audience—and her opponent—breathless.
Fight fans will get to see Colbey Northcutt in action once again this Saturday July 12th when she faces Amy Coleman at Legacy Amateur Series 16. The Houstonian will no doubt have her work cut out for her when she faces “Donkey Kong” but she’s focused once again.
TXMMA recently caught up to Northcutt to discuss her career goals, her start in MMA and more:
Legacy Amateur Series 16 Interview – Colbey Northcutt (Revolution Dojo / 4OZ Fight Club)
Northcutt: I didn’t know I wanted to make a career in MMA until I was graduating high school and women were just becoming really big in the sport. All throughout high school there were women that fought but I didn’t think it was possible to really make a career out of it. Women getting into the UFC seemed so far away. My whole life I did martial arts. I started karate when I was real little and did kickboxing and transitioned into BJJ. When I graduated I knew I could solely focus on MMA and make a successful career out of it.
TXMMA: What was the biggest challenge you faced when you started? Throughout your career?
Northcutt: The biggest challenge I think I’ve faced was just making the transition from sport karate to MMA. Making those minor tweaks and changes but it really wasn’t that hard of a challenge. Luckily for me, God has blessed me to not have any severe challenges, yet anyway. Just the challenge of constantly trying to improve every area of my game.
TXMMA: How would you characterize your fighting style?
Northcutt: Anyone that knows me would say I’m a striker, and I agree since I’ve been doing that my whole life. I would like to throw people off and mix it up with my striking, ultimately be the Jon Jones in my weight class because I will have the height and reach on all my opponents 99% of the time.
TXMMA: What’s your most significant achievement to date?
Northcutt: I have 49 world titles combined in sport karate fighting and kickboxing since I’ve been competing at the age of 7, and have traveled all around the world competing in places like Italy, Croatia, Mexico, Russia, Guatemala etc. fighting against the best in the world. But right now since I’ve transitioned into MMA, I would say winning the Women’s Legacy Amateur Bantamweight title has to be one of my favorite accomplishments.
TXMMA: Any words of advice for would-be female MMA fighters?
Northcutt: I would just say keep training hard and stick with it. Women have come a very long way in the sport of MMA… I think in any sport, if you have the heart and the drive to be the best and consistently train hard, it will come to those who want it and work for it hard enough.