Undefeated MMA fighter Laura D'Auguste is finally making a highly anticipated Japanese debut next week in the biggest female MMA event of the year, Smack Girl – Dynamic!

Laura will be fighting in a four-women tournament to decide the very first Smack Girl Middleweight Champion. (58 kg / 127.89 lbs)

Smack Girl has decided to invite her because of her impressive win over Amanda Buckner and Roxanne Modafferi.

We had an opportunity to sit with a very friendly, always smiling Laura at Tiger Schulmann gym in Manhattan:

Q:
What is your impression about Japan?

Laura:
I’ve never been there but everyone I know who's been there said such a nice thing about it. People are very friendly. And I heard they treat fighters like stars, almost.

Q
What do you think of the Smack Girl shows and it's special rules?

Laura sharpening her striking skill with Kat Diaz (right) at Tiger Schulmann gym in Ramsey, New Jersey. Photography by Shu Hirata

Laura:
Well, I wish we are allowed to hit to the face (on the ground) because I feel, in MMA, part of it is to hit the head and protect the head, but it's alright because we have a tournament out here where fighters are not allowed to hit the head so I've been there already.

Q:
Now you are Ring of Combat champion and Reality Fighting champion and if you win this Smack Girl tournament, you will be the first and only "Triple Crown" winner in the world of female MMA. Do you ever think about that?

Laura:
No, I never thought about that. (laugh)
I just want to have a fun.

Q:
What do you enjoy about fighting?

Laura:
Well, it's a challenge, and I like the challenge.
I'd like to find out how good I am. And if a certain thing doesn't work then I know what to work on.

Q:
So far, you had seven professional fights, which opponent was the toughest?

Laura:
My toughest opponent, I think, was Amanda Buckner. At the time, she was the toughest opponent.

Q:
You fought her twice.

Laura:
Yes. First fight was a draw, and the second time, I got her in a rear naked choke. She has a solid base.

Q:
Do you think you are more of a grappler rather than a striker?

Laura:
I think I am all-rounded.

Q:
Then what is your favorite move?

Laura:
Well, I really don't have a favorite move. (laugh)
I just feel it out.

Q:
What is your sports background?

Laura:
I did track, I played soccer, and I was a dancer.

One of Laura's goals is to win Men's Advanced division in the grappling tournament. Photography by Shu Hirata

Q:
How did you start in this sport?

Laura
Well, I originally started as a self-defense, then one day I went to the tournament, and it was a bare-knuckle tournament, and I saw guys fighting without gloves, then I said, "I want to do that!" (laugh)

Q:
Why?

Laura:
I don’t know. (laugh)

Q:
Usually, a female would feel it's a little dangerous, perhaps barbaric?

Laura:
I don't really consider this as a male sports, I think this is for everyone to do it. Male, female, it makes no difference. (smile)

Q:
Does this mean you never felt fear of getting hit in the head?

Laura:
No, but I don't like hitting people though. (laugh)

Q:
So you prefer finishing opponents with a submission instead of a knock out?

Laura:
It really depends.
If I am on the ground, I like to finish with a submission but in stand-up, I like to knock out. But really, it's hard to knock somebody out.
Depends on the person I am fighting. (smile)

Q:
Your last fight was against Roxanne Modafferi and at the time she was considered as the best in your weight category because she has defeated Jennifer Howe twice in a row.

Laura:
I knew Roxanne as a grappler. She is a really strong grappler.
I tried to finish her but I couldn't.

Q:
Would you like to fight Roxanne again?

Laura:
Sure! (smile) I'd like to fight her again!

Q:
After this Smack Girl tournament, who would you like to fight next?

Laura:
Debi Parcel. Even though she is not in my weight class, I heard a lot about her, she has her own web site and everything and I also heard a lot of nice thing about her too.

Q:
Do you ever think about going up to a heavier weight class? Or do you want to stick with 135 lbs & under? (She is fighting Smack Girl tournament at 127.89 lbs & Under)

Laura:
Well, I never fought light girls. (smile)
I fight in 135 so I was always underweight. I am only 128 so here, it's hard to find a lighter girl, maybe not in Japan though, right? (laugh)

But I always fought someone heavier. I've tried to gain weight but it's hard. I go for that hamburger to put a quarter pound on but still, I can't gain. (laugh)

Q:
Let me ask you few personal questions. I know you have a daughter, what do you do with her on your day off?

Laura:
Well, she does figure skating, so I take her to skate, sometimes water park, and shopping. She likes shopping. (smile)

The world started to notice Laura after she defeated Amanda Buckner (bottom) at Reality Fighting Championship. Photography by Minori Yoshida

Q:
Now, you are a nurse, right? Do you work night shift?

Laura:
No I work during the day now.

Q:
How long have you been a nurse?

Laura:
Four years.

Q:
What made you decide to be a nurse?

Laura:
I like to help people. (smile)
I like to help people get better, you know.

Q:
Do people at work know you are fighting in Japan?

Laura:
Yes, they are very excited for me. They have been pretty good. If I said I need a week off, and they are like, "Alright!" They are very supportive.
Some colleague would work over time to cover for me so they are pretty good.

Q:
Are you a single mother now?

Laura:
Yes.

Q:
Are you planning to get married?

Laura:
No I have no one for now. (laugh)
It's hard to find someone in your life, training and working, and all. It's very hard. (smile)

Q:
After the Smack Girl, will you going back to Japan and fight more?

Laura:
Yes!
I promised I would take my daughter the next time.

Q:
Other than Debi Parcel, do you have anyone who you would like to fight?

Laura:
I wanna fight someone that I know is good.
You know, I would prefer fighting a full round against someone good instead of fighting half a round against someone who just started.

Q:
Is there any Japanese fighter who would you like to fight?

Laura:
Well, I really don't know too much. I just saw a Smack Girl video and I saw a fighter wearing a mask! Then I realized it's a pro-wrester doing MMA fights. (laugh)

Q:
Will you be interested in doing pro-wrestling?

Laura:
No. (laugh)

It was this win over Roxanne Modafferi (top) that secured her Smack Girl gig. Photo Courtesy of Tiger Schulmann Karate

Q:
What about doing pro-wrestling perhaps after you finish your MMA career?

Laura:
No, I don't even know what it is. (smile)

Q:
Well, how many more years do you think you will fight professionally?

Laura:
Mayne two years.

Q:
What would you like to accomplish in two years?

Laura:
Well, I haven't set my goals yet. But in the grappling tournament, I would like to win a Men's division. That would make an impact, right? (laugh)

Q:
Why two years though?

Laura:
Well, I always say two years. (laugh)

Q:
But don't you think you can fight even four or five more years in top condition?

Laura:
In this sport, the more you train you will always get better, with experience and everything. So I never felt I am going downward.

Q:
So do you think you will continue doing grappling bouts even after finishing your MMA career?

Laura:
Yes, definitely.
In grappling, if you put yourself in a wrong position, then it's over.
Sometimes you move the wrong way then it's over. Then I train and I go back again. I like that. (smile)

Q:
Do you know your grappling record?

Laura:
No. (laugh) But I fought a lot. Once I got a second place in the Men's advanced division. And I did fight in the female division and I came in first place a lot.

(from left to right) Ronnie Schulmann, Laura with Ring of Combat belt, and Dannie Schulmann. Photo Courtesy of Tiger Schulmann Karate

Q:
Would like to compete in ADCC?

Laura:
Yes absolutely. In ADCC, you get to fight the best there so you would know exactly where you stand so absolutely YES!

Q:
Now I see a tiger tattoo in your arm.

Laura:
I liked Tigers before I joined Tiger Schulmann. (laugh)

Q:
Now, I know you train in kickboxing also. Will you be willing to do a kick boxing fight?

Laura:
Yeah. (laugh) If they (Danny & Ronnie Schulmann) tell me to do it, then I will.

Q:
This is going to be your first trip to Japan and you will have to take a 14-hour flight to get there. Do you have any secret strategy for jet lag?

Laura:
You know, I used to work at nights. And I have worked nights and continue on to the day so I know I can do it!
So if I have to stay up all night and fight, then I would do it.
But I like to take a nap during the day so this time difference is perfect for me!
I am a napper I take a nap almost every day. (laugh)

Q:
Japanese MMA fans know who you are from the internet and magazines so they are anxious to see your fight. Any message to fans there?

Laura:
I can't wait to meet everybody!
I just can't wait to go there. (laugh)
It's gonna be fun!

Laura will face Tevi Sai from France in the semi-final and if she wins, she will go on to the final to face the winner of the Megumi Yabushita and Ayako Saioka fight.

Both semi-final and final will be 5 minutes 2 rounds with no extra round so judges must declare a winner.
According to Japanese MMA media, Laura and Megumi Yabushita, the winner of last year's ReMix tournament, are two favorites for this tournament.
Laura has a better record against the world's top fighters but Yabushita has more than enough experiences fighting under Smack Girl rules.

Laura D'Auguste Interview - Japanese version >>