Marie Paulsen can’t wait to make the walk this Saturday at Battle Arena Northampton when met with Saga Elneas.
Although making the walk for the first time in an MMA setting, Paulsen has an extensive background in kickboxing and karate.
Ahead of the fight, we had the opportunity of speaking with Marie Paulsen, who is confident in getting her hand raised. Check out what she had to say.
Interview With Marie Paulsen
Several days out from your mixed martial arts debut Marie, just talk us through how you feel as we are in fight week.
During fight week, I reduce the intensive training. The hard physical work leading up to this fight is done. Now it’s all about enjoying the experience and the journey I’m on.
Although you’re making your MMA debut, you’re not new to combat sports as a whole. Just touch on your background before MMA and what made you want to transition.
I am an athlete who wants to stay active. Basically, I am a standing fighter with K1 kickboxing and a JKA Shotokan karate background. But have always seen mma as a fascinating sport. I also like new challenges. This helps to develop me as a person and as a fighter.
MMA debuts can be an exciting and daunting task. What is it for you that excited you about trying MMA?
If you tell yourself that an MMA debut is intimidating or scary, that’s exactly what it will be. I choose not to have that in my mindset. But it is certainly exciting to have a debut in the cage, of course. And I am grateful and feel privileged to be able to experience this.
Marie Paulsen on Fighting With a Smile
You mentioned before it’s about “fighting with a smile” on your face. How important is it for you not to get caught up on wins and losses and, as you said, just fight with a smile and enjoy yourself in there?
I choose to smile and just enjoy the process. Enjoy the journey I’m on. In order to bring out the potential that lives inside me, it is important for me not to focus so much on losses and wins. But rather focus on what I have been working on leading up to this match. Task and strategy. If I do the work, the results will also come.
Having competed in Thai boxing for the first time not long ago. What can you take away from that experience and contest that you hope can help you on Saturday night?
After I debuted as a Thai boxer a little while ago, I fought a good fight And won. This is a very positive experience, which I will take with me into my mma fight.
What expectations have you set out for yourself, if any, when met with Saga Elneas?
I know nothing about Saga Elneas. Other than her being a grappler. And since I know she’s a grappler, I intend to keep the fight standing.
Debut
With Saga making her debut, I assume you’ve not looked into much about her and focussed on your own skillset. Does it make it easier knowing your opponent will make the walk for the first time and she’ll be going through all the same emotions as you did?
Its the debut in the mma cage for both of us, but I have trained in martial arts since I was nine years old. I am also older than Saga. So I feel I have more experience than she does. Im feeling good, and im feeling confident about this fight. And I’m really looking forward to showing the audience how good I’ve become.
Finally, I’ll leave you with the last word. Is there anybody you’d like to thank or any last words for your opponent?
I would like to thank all my coaches, training partners, the Different breed fight team, sponsors and all those who have contributed to the build-up to the match. You know who you are. I hope my opponent comes as well prepared as she can. This is going to be a hard day at the office for her.
Featured image credits to Marie Paulsen
