FIGHT CARD
By John Fullilove, Jackson's MMA Series
Jackson’s MMA Series: What gym and city do you fight out of?
Natasha Creger: I fight out of Chute Boxe in Long Beach, California.
Jackson’s MMA Series: Who is your coach?
Natasha Creger: Gerson Schilipacke
Jackson’s MMA Series: What is your hometown?
Natasha Creger: Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Jackson’s MMA Series: Did you participate in any sports while in High School?
Natasha Creger: I was kind of a nerd. I was into science and art. I also ran track.
Jackson’s MMA Series: Upon graduation from high school, what did you do?
Natasha Creger: I went into doing graphics design for a record company and moved out to California.
Jackson’s MMA Series: How did you get interested in MMA?
Natasha Creger: It was becoming more popular and it was obviously already very popular. I would pass by some gyms every now and again. I would never see any females. Then I started to see females and I said, “Ok, it’s acceptable for women to train.” I had always watched Pride fights and UFC fights and my favorite fighters were always Chute Boxe Fighters. I got on line and looked up where Chute Boxe was located and I saw one in Brazil and one happened to be in California. That’s where I went. I’ve been with them every since.
Jackson’s MMA Series: When did you start training?
Natasha Creger: I started training almost four years ago.
Jackson’s MMA Series: Who were your favorite Chute Boxe fighters?
Natasha Creger: Wanderlai Silva, he was the main guy. I really liked his style. He was so aggressive. He never backed down even when he had blood dripping down his face. I was really motivated by him. I also liked Shogun. I was inspired by his kicks. I liked their style. They are very aggressive. They go into it to fight and they put the fight to their opponent, no matter what. I thought that was good.
Jackson’s MMA Series: Did you compile your 4-0 Muay Thai before or after your MMA debut?
Natasha Creger: I actually did that after my MMA debut. I went backwards.
Jackson’s MMA Series: Do you have a preference between Muay Thai and MMA?
Natasha Creger: I just like to fight. I can’t say I really have a preference. I only fought MMA once and I loved it. You have to be very versatile. You can’t just have one style if you are going to fight MMA. I have tried to become as versatile as I can. I train Muay Thai every day.
Jackson’s MMA Series: What should fans expect to see when they see you fight in MMA?
Natasha Creger: They probably would see me on my feet working my Thai. That’s pretty much it. That’s what Chute Boxe is famous for, they are very famous for their Muay Thai.
Jackson’s MMA Series: Do you feel that you have good ground work as well?
Natasha Creger: Yes, I think I do.
Jackson’s MMA Series: Your MMA debut was here in Albuquerque, correct?
Natasha Creger: Yes it was.
Jackson’s MMA Series: Are you ok about taking this fight , on short notice?
Natasha Creger: I wouldn’t have taken this fight if I didn’t feel good about it. It’s giving me that extra push, a couple of weeks and get ‘er done. I am confident in my technique. That’s not a problem. Now, it’s just an extra push so I can get in there and go like I like to go - full aggression.
Jackson’s MMA Series: Are you excited it’s going to be at the new Hard Rock Casino & Hotel?
Natasha Creger: Yes, I’m very excited. I’m excited to see the Hard Rock Casino and I love their hotels. Hopefully I will get some New Mexico fans to come out and see me if they remember me from the last time I fought there.
Jackson’s MMA Series: How do you feel about being a co-main event fight?
Natasha Creger: I think it’s great. I love the fact, even though I wasn’t the original fighter, that two females are headlining the event. I think that’s great and such a big step for women fighters. I feel very honored to be part of the main event. It’s great.
Jackson’s MMA Series: Who are some of the female fighters that you follow or do you just follow fighters regardless if they are male or female?
Natasha Creger: Regardless if they are male or female but obviously I love watching the females evolve. I watch Christina “Cyborg” Santos from my camp; undoubtedly she’s the best female fighter. I think she’s great. I also watch Megumi Fuji who is awesome for her weight class and she’s undefeated. There are some local girls here that are pretty good. As far as the male fighters, Wanderlai and Shogun.
Jackson’s MMA Series: Have you trained with Christina “Cyborg” Santos?
Natasha Creger: Yes, I have. She’s in San Diego training now.
Jackson’s MMA Series: Have you had an opportunity to train in Curitiba, Brazil at Chute Boxe?
Natasha Creger: Yes and the training was the most intense and high level I’ve ever seen. I just recently returned from there.
Jackson’s MMA Series: What does your husband think of you fighting?
Natasha Creger: He loves it! He’s my coach!
Jackson’s MMA Series: What do your parents think of you fighting?
Natasha Creger: My mom doesn’t like it but my dad loves it and he’s all for it. He tells me, “When you were a little girl I always wanted to make you a boxer.” He now has his dream because I’m a MMA fighter.
Jackson’s MMA Series: The card is going to be available on the internet. What are your thoughts about that?
Natasha Creger: I didn’t know that but that’s perfect. What’s hard about some of these events is that you go fight and you don’t have any footage and nobody gets to see it and there goes that fight. All you have is the memory. I think it’s awesome.
Jackson’s MMA Series: What other interests do you have outside of fighting?
Natasha Creger: I’m very active in the community and getting women involved in self-defense. Not just for fighting but let them become aware that they don’t have to be the weaker sex. To let them know that if someone attacks them that they can have the tools and utilize their own strength to then try to get away. I am a big activist for issues regarding domestic abuse and violence and getting community support for awareness. I would like to eventually get a program here in Long Beach, California to get not only women but kids to get them to focus on martial arts. I’ve seen Martial Arts have helped so many lives. If you can start that with children at a young age I think that is something really positive to work towards. I’m also an artist. Anything that has to do with art I get into. My favorite artist is Alex Grey who is a surrealist.
Jackson’s MMA Series: Who would you like to thank?
Natasha Creger: I would like to thank Slade from Tussle for supporting me and sponsoring me. He helped me get this fight. I would like to thank Sinful Clothing and Tom Atencio. I would like to thank my coaches for standing by me and getting through these rough upcoming weeks.
Jackson’s MMA Series: Any final comments?
Natasha Creger: I think this is going to be an exciting event. I’m excited to be part of it.
