A short interview with Katja Kankaanpää before her Ivicta fight with Bad Mofo JOJO

Post date: 14-Nov-2013 19:23:28

A busy time a head for Finnish stand out and next opponent for Scottish technician Joanne Calderwood, we caught up with Katja for a short interview in the midst of her training, full time job and recent home move.

Can you give us a brief description/ Bio (A short introduction to the Scottish fans ,Record, style, team, home country etc) ? I´m fighting out from Finland, Seinäjoki. I represent Team Botnia Punishment and MMA Seinäjoki. I started my martial arts career with Karate when I was 15 years old and trained it about 10 years before I started submission wrestling and MMA. Now i´m 32 years old and my pro MMA record is 8-0-1.

What is the MMA scene like in Finland, recently we have scene Swedens MMA scene explode on to the big time, is the Finnish scene close behind? Finnish MMA is doing good at the moment. MMA is more and more in the news. We have very good fighters out here waiting for big breakthrough. One of the best Finnish MMA fighter Tom Niinimäki recently signed to the UFC and people are very excited about that. We have a lots of high quality MMA events around the Finland. For example Finland´s biggest MMA events, Cage and Fight Festival have always quality fight cards and interesting fights. In Sweden they are done amazing job amongst MMA. I think Finland comes a little bit behind. I think there isn´t much space in fighters talent but MMA is just more popular in Sweden. Swedish have good contacts around the world and UFC has kept events there so I think that’s why they are a little bit ahead of us.

What do you think of Invicta as an organisation, from the outside it looks as if they are really taking care of WMMA? Yes, they really take care. I have just positive things to say about organization. They treat fighters very good and arranges exciting match-ups.

On December 7th you are scheduled to fight Scotlands Joanne Calderwood, what’s your thoughts on Badmofo_JOJO as an opponent? She is a talented fighter and i´m happy that I get the chance to fight with her. She is challenging opponent for me, very good standup fighter and also knows how to wrestle. Now I get to test my skills.

Quick FireFavourite MMA Drill ? Nothing special Favourite post weight cut foods? Rice and chicken Top martial arts quote? "It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over" Strangest MMA experience? Nothing strange comes to my mind. How do you relax outside of MMA? Watching movies and just doing nothing. Walk out track (music) ? Something what puts me on a good mood. I haven´t decided yet what is the song I will walk out In Invicta FC 7.

Finally a shout out to any sponsors etc (facebook, twitter ) I want to thank my team, manager, coaches and training partners. Also thank to my family, friends and sponsors (Lapuan Piristeel Oy, Manninen Nutraceuticals, Puhdistamo, Fairtex, Aquaplast, PPT-Peltiteos Oy, MyShot, Fight Sport, Studio Street, SJK, Top Level, GapCon ).

Best regards, Katja

Katja Kankaanpää# # scottish MMA # Scotland MMA # Invicta fc # joanne Calderwood