FiveOuncesofPain.com was recently able to learn from sources close to the situation that a total of seven women were contacted as potential opponents for the bout, and all seven have refused the matchup, leaving Toughill without a fight on January 30.

5 Oz. was the first to report that Erin was originally expected to return to action at FCF (Freestyle Cage Fighting) 39 on January 30 from the Firelake Grand Casino in Shawnee, Oklahoma. The card will still feature an extremely intriguing eight female 135 pound tournament with the winner being granted a title shot in the division over at Strikeforce in the near future.

Viewed throughout the sport as one of the true pioneer’s of female MMA, many of you will remember Toughill as an original representative of the sport during her appearance on MSNBC’s Warrior Nation series a few years back. A former professional boxer, Erin sports a 10-2-1 record, and is currently riding a four fight win streak.

Erin Toughill

Female knockout specialist and current threat to the Strikeforce women’s 145 pound crown, Erin Toughill will be making her highly anticipated return to action at FCF (Freestyle Cage Fighting) 39 on January 30.

FiveOuncesofPain.com was recenty able to confirm Toughill’s participation on the card through Erin herself, who is currently deep in training for the bout.

While no opponent for Toughill has been announced as of this writing, 5 Oz. promises to keep you up to date as soon as we hear anything.

FCF 39 will be taking place from the Firelake Grand Casino in Shawnee, Oklahoma.

Viewed throughout the sport as one of the true pioneer’s of female MMA, many of you will remember Toughill as an original representative of the sport during her appearance on MSNBC’s Warrior Nation series a few years back.

A former professional boxer, Erin sports a 10-2-1 record, and is currently riding a four fight win streak. The wife to Xtreme Couture submission coach Neil Melanson is currently under contract with Strikeforce, and will be taking this fight with the promotion’s blessing.

Also on the card will be an eight-woman dream tournament in the 135 pound division with the winner expected to receive a Strikeforce contract, along with a title shot.

Below is the line up for the tournament no fan of female mixed martial arts should miss:

Megumi Yabushita vs. Shayna Baszler

Jan Finney vs. Liz Carreiro

Kaitlin Young vs. Jennifer Tate

Adrienna Jenkins vs. Sarah Schneider

FiveOncesofPain

Xtreme Couture Jiu-Jitsu instructor Neil Melanson and Strikeforce female title threat Erin Toughill have joined hands in wedlock during a private ceremony to cement their long term relationship in holy matrimony. The couple recently revealed the news of their marriage to FiveOuncesofPain.com.

Wedding bells couldn’t be playing for a more deserving couple as both Neil and Erin have endured a number of trials and tribulations that ultimately put both on the path to the state of happiness the couple currently reside in.

An elite level grappler that spent a great deal of time under the wing of submission master Gokor Chivichyan in Los Angeles, Melanson spent a small portion of his life blinded from Behcet’s disease (an immune disease that attacks and breaks down tissue and blood vessels on the body) before recently having the vision restored thanks to modern science and a handful of pain medicines.

After overcoming a dark period in his life that left Neil questioning whether he could live another day due to the prospect of living the rest of his years in a world without sight, Neil recently spoke with 5 Oz. about the 180 degree turn his life has recently taken, and the pivotal role Erin has played in his happiness.

“I’m doing what I love doing. I have books coming out, I’m working for the best gym in the country, and I have a great relationship with Erin Toughill,” explained Melanson. “I finally feel like I have a great partner in my life, so I feel very lucky. If anyone out there is sick, or is just going through a hard time, the only thing I would tell them is to just be patient, because time heals everything. Just hang in there, because it’s crazy how things can be so terrible one day, and just a short time later it can be so great. I try to always remember that.”

With a little known story of perseverance and adversity to shadow her husband Neil’s, Toughill grew up as a self described “lost kid”, as she would explain to 5 Oz. during an April 2009 conversation.

“I think like a lot of kids, I grew up in two different households because my parents divorced at an early age,” explained Toughill. “I had a lot of anger from things I could not control with that separation.

“I was what they called a “bad kid”. I went to five different high schools in three years before I graduated early. But through all that, I was an avid reader, and although school wasn’t for me, I still read books and learned a lot on my own.

“I have lived on my own since I was seventeen, and prior to that, lived where I could at times. I was always, always getting into trouble and fighting. I was just a lost kid, you know?”

Unfortunately for Erin her troubled times were far from behind her upon graduation from her adolescent years. Five years ago her sister passed away in a car accident, and her father followed suit shortly after due to what could be considered a broken heart.

Which is why today is such a glorious day for both Neil and Erin; Two wandering souls that should finally be able to find peace, happiness and strength beyond their wildest imagination through one another.

*Melanson is currently authoring a highly anticipated technique book entitled “Triangles From The Guard” which will be published through Victory Belt Publishing and coming to a bookstore near you in the very near future.

Of course there are those that criticized both Gina Carano and Cris “Cyborg” Santos for putting on a sloppy, albeit exciting performance in the most anticipated female contest in the history of the sport, but one would be pressed to find anything sloppy about the skill set of Toughill. On paper the 5’10″ former American Gladiator could easily make a claim as being the most technical female striker in the business. A former top ranked professional boxer, Toughill compiled an impressive record of 8-2-1 while competing in the sweet science before setting her sights on MMA exclusively.

The road to the current path Erin is travelling with Strikeforce has not been an easy one. There wasn’t the same pot of gold at the end of the rainbow there currently is in mixed martial arts. The risks were high, and the rewards small. Toughill was cut from a different cloth, from the days when fighting a woman 100 or more pounds heavier than you wasn’t that far out of the question.

Of course, that was then and this is now, and as it currently stands Toughill is prime to break into the mainstream sooner rather than later as a title fight between herself and Cyborg is seemingly inevitable at this point. The 32 year old native of Chicago, Illinois has been licking her chops in anticipation of the day, with a Jack Nicholson-like expression on her face, thinking,’Wait’ll they get a load of me’.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com recently had the chance to catch up with Erin to gather her thoughts on fighting a Russian woman with a 150+ pound weight advantage, the current state of affairs in female MMA, being ducked by just about everyone and much, much more.

FiveOuncesOfPain: So you only have one real loss in your career to a Russian woman by the name of Svetlana Goundarenko. I recently took the liberty of looking her up and I found out that her last fight was in 2001, and she was amazingly listed at 6’3″, 330 pounds! I don’t mean to bring up bad memories as that fight was nearly a decade ago, but what can you tell me about that goliath of a woman as an opponent, and that fight in general?

Erin Toughill: Well, it was the second biggest tournament for women in MMA, ever. I think the first one was L-1 in 1996? What an amazing experience to be a part of. I recall seeing the women I drew in the first and second round, and I was shocked. Before Svetlana, I got a split decision win against her team mate, Irina Rodina. She was also on the Russian Judo Olympic Team, and she was 5’7″ and fought at 230 pounds…… it was not an easy fight [laughs]. I beat her and ended up losing to Svetlana, but I got in some good punches and kicks before she suffocated me with her boobs [laughs]. The winner got $100,000, so I was bummed I didn’t win of course.

FiveOuncesOfPain: There’s a woman that goes by the name of Marloes Coenen that I know you’re extremely familiar with. Now Coenen has recently made some news by claiming that she will be fighting Cyborg in her first title defense with Strikeforce; What are your thought on those claims being that most people anticipated for you to get the first crack at the winner of Carano vs. Cyborg?

Erin Toughill: Well, that might be the case. In terms of a fighter, she is as good, or better than Cyborg. In my opinion Marloes can beat Cyborg. Now in terms of being in line, I don’t feel she should be next. But if she is, then she is. As long as I’m active in between my title shot, then I can deal with it because I know my time will come.

FiveOuncesOfPain: Of course many people may not know that you have already faced, and knocked out Coenen during Smackgirl-World ReMix at the end of 2004; What can you tell me about that fight between you two?

Erin Toughill: Well, it was another tournament in Japan. Sixteen women in total. I TKO’d my first opponent in 27 seconds and beat Marloes in the 2nd round. I actually feel I fought conservatively due to the fact that if I won, I’d fight again after that. So I was pacing myself to fight three times in one night. She is a very good kickboxer, and a very dangerous fight for anyone.

FiveOuncesOfPain: Is there any reason for you to believe the outcome would be any different if you two were to meet again in the near future?

Erin Toughill: In my opinion, No. I have continued to improve my striking and ground game, and even though I was absent from fighting 26 months, I still trained. I won my last three fights in a row. With Marloes, as good a fighter she is, her past fight record has been somewhat poor.

FiveOuncesOfPain: What are your thoughts on the level of opposition Coenen has been facing in recent years?

Erin Toughill: It’s not top level. Roxy Modaferri is a top 135 pound fighter, but she’s way smaller than Marloes. Coenon lost to a pro debuter recently, and some other non competitive opponents. Look, I’m not saying I fought “top three” competition recently, but one was undefeated, and another was a vet who fought lots of top competition. Lots of girls turn down fights with me. Even though I now fight 145, I still get all these people saying I’m “too big to fight” them. Such a joke. If I weigh 145, then I’m in the weight class. I’m tired of the girls that are running their mouths, but won’t fight me.

FiveOuncesOfPain: There’s another woman by the name of Dandois that has thrown her name into the mix at Strikeforce recently. What are your thoughts on Cindy Dandois?

Erin Toughill: I commend her for taking on Marloes. We’ve spoken via email, and she seems like a nice girl and very respectful. On that note, I’m sure if she stays active and keeps winning fights she will get a shot with me one day. And when she’s does, I’ll be there.

FiveOuncesOfPain: Were you somewhat disappointed that you weren’t able to make an appearance on the “Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg” card, being that it would make more sense to promote you before you came out and challenged the champion?

Erin Toughill: Marketing-wise, the casual fan should get to know me first. Maybe that’s the plan with Strikeforce, we’ll see. Due to contract issues, I was not able to attend the event. Marloes took my place at the last minute. It all worked out the way it was supposed to.

FiveOuncesOfPain: It doesn’t really seem like anyone has been marketed properly to face off with Cyborg next. Would you rather get a tune-up fight before challenging for the title, or would you rather the masses get to know you in your first fight with Cyborg?

Erin Toughill: Honestly, I don’t really care. From a marketing perspective it clearly makes more sense to get me on TV once or twice before the title fight, but in MY perspective, I wanna fight right now!

FiveOuncesOfPain: So what were your thoughts on the Carano vs. Cyborg as a whole? Do you feel like it delivered?

Erin Toughill: I feel like Gina didn’t show what she was capable of. She did some great things, but messed up a lot due to nerves and breaking mentally. If she capitalized, she would have won. Not every fight can be amazing, I understand, and sometimes the nerves can mess you up. I’ve been there so I know. But from what I read, people were not happy with the fight. A lot of people said it looked like two rookies fighting. I don’t know. I just know I’ll fight whomever they put in front of me, and if its Cyborg, I’ll beat her.

FiveOuncesOfPain: I have to ask your thoughts on Cyborg. What did you take away from watching her championship victory, and what are some of the reasons why you win that fight?

Erin Toughill: Cyborg still looks technically poor, but just kept chugging along. Her wrestling and ground game looked very vulnerable. She claims that she does not get nervous, but it was very obvious that she does. When she entered the ring, she did a lot of things that showed she was frightened. I think I’m too big, too experienced, too technical, and I hit too hard for her. She’ll rush in on me, and that will be the biggest mistake she’s ever made.

FiveOuncesOfPain: Can you tell me a little bit about your inability to get fights in the past? Fights against solid competition, and just fights in general?

Erin Toughill: I have always had issues getting fights, always. First, I was too big. Now, I drop 25 pounds and I’m still too big [laughs]. I don’t have anything to say, really. I just would like to fight the very best competition.

FiveOuncesOfPain: I know it’s been incredibly difficult for you to be able to face some of the fighters you’ve wanted to face up until now. Who are some of the women you have extended invitations to fight that thought better of it in the past?

Erin Toughill: Seriously, all of them. Even the girls who now fight at “only 135″, but have fought 145 several times. “Bigger girls” don’t want to cut to get to 145, but now the “smaller girls” think they’re at disadvantage post weigh in. I think if you are a fierce competitor and true fighter, it doesn’t matter. Ten years ago we fought all different weights classes; it didn’t mater. We fought girls 20, 75, or even 150 pounds bigger. Now all these girls cry about a 5 or 10 pound difference. This new breed fights for different reasons than women like myself, Marloes, Yoko Takahashi, or Shinashi do. In my opinion a lot of girls fight because it’s “cool” or the “in thing” to do. Those types don’t last long.

FiveOuncesOfPain: You’re three fights in from your last layoff; How do you feel after three fights? Are your instincts and timing where they have been previously at this point?

Erin Toughill: Hmm, they were all different. I cut 20 pounds and had a 26 month layoff when I fought in November of 2008. I was too worried about the weight cut and I definitely had ring rust. How could I not? In February of 2009 I felt right on track. I was sharp, ready, and came out like I did in my Japan fights. In May, I was not happy. I didn’t cut weight how I would have liked to and I suffered a bit. I had a girl that had been training her ass off for months to fight me. She brought her A game, that’s for sure. I didn’t even fight well and I still kicked her ass. So as long as I’m on weight, no one can beat me when I’m truly on. In my next fight I’ll be at weight comfortably, and I’ll be very sharp and back to normal.

FiveOuncesOfPain: Where do you see female MMA in five, or even ten years from now?

Erin Toughill: Well, who knows. The whole sport could be gone, but I doubt it. As long as promotions get the best female fighters there are and put on competitive fights, it should do okay. I won’t be fighting in 5 years, but hopefully I’ll be cornering the next champ.

FiveOuncesOfPain: Thanks Erin. Is there anyone you’d like to thank?

Erin Toughill: Please check out www.neilmelanson.com, he’s my boyfriend and Randy Couture’s grappling coach.

www.myspace.com/erintoughill

www.erintoughill.com

Much like most of the other mixed martial arts fans that happened to follow the sport way back in 1999, Toughill had no clue that there were actually other females out there that were involved with this type of thing. A true pioneer of female mixed martial arts in very sense of the word, Toughill jumped at the opportunity when it presented itself.

“I actually was not aware women even did MMA,” revealed Toughill in an exclusive interview with FiveOuncesOfPain.com. “I had been watching the UFC from its first show, and thought it was the greatest thing I’d ever seen. I met my first Trainer, Sean McCully, through mutual friends. At eighteen, I had gotten into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, but trained with Sean on and off for a while after. He saw something in me and asked if I wanted to fight. I figured I’d be doing KickBoxing, but he asked me to participate in an MMA fight in Aruba when I was barely twenty two. I said, “What the hell!” And it unrolled from there.”

“I was scared as hell! I was in no shape to be in there with this animal. She was tough as nails and had many more fights than I was aware of. I look back at the footage and think, “Wow, look at this chubby twenty one year old girl!” I was still drinking & smoking heavily while I was training. I got a draw with Irma, and if it had turned out different, I might not have fought again.”

Fight again she did, amassing an impressive mixed martial arts record of 7-2-1 before stepping away from the sport she had grow to love in the latter portion of 2006 due to circumstances against her control.

“The 2006, 2007 layoff was, at the time, not my choice,” explained Toughill. “I was with someone who did not support anything I did, and was fearful about any success I had or was to achieve. I needed a break, in a sense, that I continued to fight after my sister and dad passed. I actually won a ten round GBU boxing title six weeks after Megan died, and the latter part of 2007 was also due to this person trying to control and manipulate my career. I could not see it until I was away from this person, but toxic is what comes to mind. Latter 2007, was me trying to find out who I was again after so many realities I came to know were destroyed, it was very surreal. I did not have the energy to train and just took care of me and getting away from this person. Early to mid 2008 was when AG came around. I spent months focusing on that, and getting settled.”

“I still wanted to compete, but girls did not want to fight me, or I was too big. So my agent Ken Pavia asked me to fight at 150 lbs in November of 2008 [laughs]. I lost twenty two pounds and won my comeback fight. If the money is where Gina is, then that’s where we decided to go.”

Toughill will be the first to admit that after a two year lay off she had become a victim of the much dreaded ring rust in her return to MMA just five months ago. Ring rust or not, her opponent Jan Finney did not come to the fight to roll over and the hard fought battle let Toughill know exactly where she was, and where she needed to go with her game.

“I could have stopped her, but I think I was too conservative with my energy,” said Toughill. “I wasn’t sure how I would be losing all that weight. At the same time, Jan is a tough cookie. She hung in there and put up a great fight. It didn’t end with a stoppage, but it let me know exactly where I was taking a two year layoff.”

The former professional boxer got back to her roots and showed that the ring rust had evaporated in her most recent return to the cage in February when she dispatched of Karen Williams with a brutal TKO in the first round.

“I did not care who I was going to fight,” said the heavy handed knockout artist. “Adrienna Jenkins was the original opponent, but pulled out due to injury. They changed my opponent a few times. First I was a lower weight, then I was a higher weight, when all was said and done, I lost thirteen pounds in five days. I do not like cutting weight, but I came out for the kill and that’s what I did.”

“I hit very, very hard, and these girls have no idea what it’s like to be hit by someone who can punch. I thank Karen for stepping up last minute, but these girls think this stuff is simple with all this BJJ and hand slapping. I have stopped most of my fights by knockout and TKO, any girl who fights me better be prepared to be hit, and hit hard.”

If everything goes as planned Toughill will be completing her current contractual obligations when she faces off with an undefeated prospect in May before making the logical move to Strikeforce.

“I am fighting Friday May 8th, 2009,” said Toughill. “This will be my third and final fight for the Tachi Indian Casino. I am fighting a 4-0 BJJ girl, Emily Thompson. She’s going be in for a rude awakening.”

It’s nearly impossible not to notice the many different parralels and contrasts between the careers and fighting styles of Toughill and another much talked about female fighter. A fighter who has become synonymous with female mixed martial arts during Toughill’s time away from the sport.

“Gina, Gina…..I love Gina,” admitted Toughill. “We really have a lot in common, and I am happy for her success. She has opened the door for female MMA, and I am truly thankful for that.”

“In the same note, I would be just as happy to fight her. I think Gina is talented and has the potential to be a great all around fighter. But in my opinion, I will beat anyone. I don’t care who I fight, my destiny is to win.”

With an inevitable move to Strikeforce on the horizon for the immensely talented and marketable athlete, an eventual showdown with Carano may not be that far off in the distance. If not Carano, there is definitely one other female fighter that many fans would love to see Ms. Toughill go up against.

“Cyborg poses a different problem, but a puzzle we will be able to solve,” explained the Chicago native. “Her people know I will be the most legit fighter she could go against. This fight will be happening in 2009, I do know that.”

“I will be signing with Strikeforce this summer and we will see what unfolds. Whether it’s Gina, Cyborg or anyone else, I take no one lightly. When I first started, because of how I looked, people took me lightly. And then when I beat them, they probably thought different. You never know what a person will bring to the ring, but you need to be prepared no matter who it is.”

“I would like to Thank Ken Pavia and the rest of the boys at MMAAgents.com. They have all really worked hard for me, and have been a great addition to my life and career. I would like to thank Warrior Wear and GreenMedica.com. I want to thank Brian Rauchback, Josiah & John Marsh, from Lotar, helping me and dedicating their time to me so I can be the best. I want to thank My Mom and friends who have been there for me. Last but not least, I want to thank Mo Lawal who has become a great friend and training partner for me. We’re probably two of the most opposite people [laughs], but we have a great friendship. Go to: www.erintoughill.com and www.myspace.com/erintoughill for pics, bio and info on my career!”

Erin Toughill

If you aren’t already familiar with the name Erin Toughill you will become extremely familiar very soon. The former top ranked professional boxer recently returned to the cage after a two year retirement stint with a unanimous decision victory over a very tough Jan Finney in November of 2008.

Outside of a disqualification loss due to the illegal use of elbows in 2004, Toughill has not suffered a mixed martial arts loss since her third professional fight way back in 2000.

Toughill recently revealed in an exclusive interview with FiveOuncesOfPain.com that she will be signing with Strikeforce very soon and expects a match -up with the fearsome Brazilian striker Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos sometime in 2009. They say that three’s company, well current female contenders for the Strikeforce championship Gina Carano and the previously mentioned Cyborg can expect company very soon.

One of the true pioneer’s of female mixed martial arts, Toughill was featured on MSNBC’s Warrior Nation back in January 2007 before much of the mainstream knew that female MMA was even taking place. The feature did a fantastic job capturing the human side of Toughill and her quest in MMA and opened up many doors for women’s MMA to blossom in the future.

Just one short month after the much talked about episode of Warrior Nation had aired on MSNBC the sport of female MMA was given another huge boost when it was featured on yet another major cable television network. In February of 2007 a girl by the name of Gina Carano made her television debut when she faced off with Julie Kedzie on Showtime’s EliteXC: Destiny, and the rest is, well, history.

Just as the immensely popular EliteXC poster girl was poised to take the female MMA world by storm, Toughill was on her way out. Shortly after the episode of Warrior Nation had given her the type of exposure many female fighters could only dream of, Toughill announced that she was retiring from the sport.

That was then, this is now, and this incredibly talented and marketable female powerhouse is set to pick up where she left off and take the world of mixed martial arts by storm. Just ask anyone that knows female MMA, or any female fighter in the business for that matter and they will tell you, Toughill is the real deal.

Like many of the personalities that have naturally gravitated towards the world of mixed martial arts, it wasn’t always a bed of roses for Toughill growing up in the often cold streets of Chicago, Illinois. A product of a broken home like many of us, Erin had an internal anger that she just couldn’t manage to kick, a void that didn’t seem possible to fill.

“I think like a lot of kids, I grew up in two different households because my parents divorced at an early age,” revealed Toughill. “I had a lot of anger from things I could not control with that separation.”

“I was what they called a “bad kid”. I went to five different high schools in three years before I graduated early. But through all that, I was an avid reader, and although school wasn’t for me, I still read books and learned a lot on my own.”

“I have lived on my own since I was seventeen, and prior to that, lived where I could at times. I was always, always getting into trouble and fighting. I was just a lost kid, you know?”

Something had to give. One way or the other, for better or for worse, the directionless child was had two distinctively different roads she could have travelled down. As if somehow touched by divine intervention, during a time when all thee odds were stacked against her, Erin discovered her one true calling in life, and not a minute to soon.

“At this point, something bad was really going to happen unless I started heading down a positive road,” confessed Toughill. “When I was seventeen or eighteen I discovered Martial Arts. Martial Arts was that road I needed to follow.”

In 1999 the rejuvenated martial artist made her professional MMA debut at a time when professional female combat was viewed as extremely taboo. just one short year after that Toughill made an enormous leap to the sport of women’s professional boxing where she ended up making quite a name for herself, consistently being ranked at the top of her division and facing off with the immensely popular daughter to “The greatest of all time”, Laila Ali.

“I only started boxing to cross train,” admitted Toughill when asked about her inspiration for getting involved with boxing. “And again, I was thrown into many fight before I was ready. I was being taught to box by a kickboxer….two different worlds, my God, completely. MMA was in Japan at the time, so we figured we’d stay busy in the meantime. If anything, I should have kickboxed, but I was fairing well against women who were in it much longer than me. My athleticism was winning fights.”

Winning fights she was, as the naturally athletic and powerful Toughill amassed an impressive record of 8-1-2 before the disastrous bout that resulted in her permanent departure from “The Sweet Science”.

“The last Boxing match I had was September of 2006,” recalled Toughill. “I re-matched a girl I beat six months prior by unanimous decision. My dad died a few days before my fight. In retrospect, I should not have fought. She cleaned my clock, hit me and knocked me out of the ring. I just was not there. My head was somewhere else.”

“After that, I said I’d never box again, and I won’t.”

The end of her career in the ring meant the birth of an entirely different career for Toughill as she landed a gig as Steel on the second season of The American Gladiators. The show was tremendously popular during it’s original run between 1989 and 1986 before making a recent much talked about return in 2008.

“Being on NBC and being picked as one of the best out of thousands of hopefuls, is a pretty awesome feeling, said Toughill. “Getting to do amazing stunts and beat people up!? It was great [laughing].

“The comradery on the show was great. I got along with almost everyone, and we all did some crazy stuff and had fun times. I met amazing people and was fortunate to stay in contact with most.”

“It’s an iconic show and I was a part of that.”

A true story of rags to riches, Toughill never could have imagined herself on the widely viewed television show when she was just a young girl, raising hell in Chicago. She was definitely one of those people that simply wasn’t meant to make it. The cards never seemed to be stacked in Toughill’s favor during her time on this earth. Just as she clawed herself up from the childhood drama that threatened to hold her down and thrust herself into a successful career as a martial artist, the bottom dropped out again for Toughill in the worst way imaginable.

“I was hanging out with gang bangers and doing some bad stuff to just get by, you name it,” confessed the rehabilitated hellion. “I was a fifteen year old girl hanging out with people twice my age, I saw stuff a kid should not have to see. Of course, bad stuff happened to me being in those situations, and I did some bad stuff also.”

“I really thought the bad things were behind me, and things were going well for many years after I found MMA. Five years ago my little sister died drinking and driving. It was the worst and most horrific day of my life. She was two and a half years younger and we were inseparable. Two years after that, my dad died, from a broken heart, I think.”

Erin was born a fighter and she will continue to fight through every aspect in life. You know what they say, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Toughill has been forced into developing strength beyond strength.

“Men will come and go, and so will friends, but family is forever,” explained Toughill. “It transformed me in a way I cannot articulate. Somehow, having the two most important people in my life being gone, its forced me to reach a new level of strength, a new level of awareness, a new level of peace.”

“I try to live my life with integrity and honoring my word. So many people don’t know what honoring your word is, and how important family and friends are. I don’t respect people I can’t trust, and I don’t trust people I can’t respect.”

“My advice? Be grateful, because things can change in a second.”

“I would like to thank Ken Pavia and the rest of the boys at MMAAgents.com. They have all really worked hard for me, and have been a great addition to my life and career. I would like to thank Warrior Wear and GreenMedica.com. I want to thank Brian Rauchback, Josiah & John Marsh, from Lotar, helping me and dedicating their time to me so I can be the best. I want to thank My Mom and friends who have been there for me. Last but not least, I want to thank Mo Lawal who has become a great friend and training partner for me. We’re probably two of the most opposite people [laughs], but we have a great friendship. Go to: www.erintoughill.com and www.myspace.com/erintoughill for pics, bio and info on my career!”

Be on the lookout for the second interview of a two part series with Erin Toughill exclusively on FiveOuncesOfPain.com. The second installment will focus on Toughill’s mixed martial arts career, from the beginning until now. She also shares her thoughts on her upcoming move to Strikeforce, Gina Carano, an inevitable match-up with Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos and much more.

Nick Lembo, the legal counsel for the New Jersey Athletic Control Board, has been chosen to chair the committee.

Other member on the committee will include Jim Erickson (North Dakota SAC), Armando Garcia (CSAC), Keith Kizer (NSAC), Dale Kliparchuk (River Cree AC), Josef Mason (Colorado AC), and Michael Mazzulli (Mohegan Athletic Unit).

The committee will be reviewing rules and regulations regarding professional and amateur MMA. The ABC’s next meeting will be in July 2009 in New Orleans.

It’s interesting that so far John McCarthy’s name hasn’t been attached to the committee. McCarthy was the one who proposed some of the new changes that were implement during the ABC’s meeting in July.

This committee has been a long time coming. Imagine that… a group of MMA people making decisions about the direction of the sport as opposed to a bunch of boxing people making decisions on MMA’s behalf. How novel.

We are re-printing Lembo’s entire statement below in this post, but to summarize, Lembo states the following:

• He does not feel the name of the ABC is appropriate any longer, because it completely neglects MMA in its title.
• It’s up to each jurisdiction to go back and approve the ABC’s recommended changes.
• Unless each jurisdiction adopts the recommended changes, the concept of unified rules will basically evaporate.
• He does not approve process in which the new rules were adopted.
• He approves of a lot of the changes, just not the additional weight classes.
• He is concerned about some of the extremes taking place in MMA in regards to weight cutting, but he doesn’t believe creating more classes necessarily addresses the problem.

Why is this important? Because Lembo is one of the main people responsible today for the unified rules that currently exist in the sport. For him to speak out against weight classes and the due process used to change rules, speaks volumes.

Below is Mr. Lembo’s statement in its entirety:

“It should be noted that the ABC meeting with regard to the unified rules are merely suggestions to the membership.

“The ABC should clarify its bylaws and its formal name since MMA is such a growing sport that it intends to address.

“Each jurisdiction must go back and individually adopt the changes and amendments.

“The document, with regard to professional mixed martial arts, has some items which would alter the longstanding unified rules developed in New
Jersey.

“Unless each jurisdiction adopts them, we will no longer have unified rules.

“Unified rules, in my opinion, are crucial to the growth of MMA.

“When New Jersey first drafted and later passed the unified rules, several months of meetings were held and observations were made at
events.

“These meetings included discussions with medical staff, promoters, matchmakers, managers, fighters, fight officials, media and fans.

“We also got the approval of other jurisdictions in advance in order to ensure a unified document.

“I fully support the clarifications and explanations of the existing unified rules in the new document.

“I do also support the rule deletions and smothering addition.

“However, I have decided that I do not support the weight class changes.

“With regard to weight classes, Nevada, California and Florida were not represented at the meeting.

“Further, very minimal discussion was held on the topic. I did not hear medical evidence to support the rule changes as Mr. Garcia and I had
requested. I did not see any thoughts or comments from promoters or fighters.

“I also know that Ohio has concerns with regard to changing the weight classes.

“Major MMA jurisdctions like Nevada, California, Ohio, Florida, Quebec and New Jersey need to have an involved role when contemplating serious
MMA rule changes.

“Unless everyone is on board, the ridiculous result would be having different weight classes in different jurisdictions for the same
fighters in the same sport.

“Changing weight classes is a substantial change that needs further discussion and exploration, in my opinion.

“There needs to be more discussion and involvement of more parties prior to contemplating such a drastic rule change.

“I am not convinced that weight classes are a crucial problem within the sport and I am not yet sure that the addition of so many more weight
classes is warranted.

“I am concerned about unhealthy weight cutting but I do not think that simply adding more classes solves that.

“Any drastic changes to the unified rules need to be carefully contemplated.

“If I was going to explore an area to possibly overhaul in the current rule set, it would be the scoring system. That, in my mind, warrants attention. That concerns me much more than the current weight classes.

“The weight classes will not be proposed for change in New Jersey at this time.

“Nick Lembo, NJSACB”