Lisa "Insane" Blaine on Bellator, Premier
by Brian Woodman Jr. on 10/09/18As Lisa "Insane" Blaine (2-2) looks forward to her flyweight fight with Alexandra Ballou (0-0) at Bellator 207 on October 12 at Mohegan Sun, she said that age was not going to get in her way.
"I am 39 and honestly in better shape than many 18-years-olds," she said. "I am about to face a 26-year-old."
Blaine, who trains at Ultimate MMA in North Haven with Marissa and Andrew Callandrelli, said she began training at age 34.
"I am a huge fan of the sport and finally decided to try it for myself," she said. "I just wanted to look back when I was 99 and say 'hey, I did that.'"
Her main goal was to compete in one amateur bout. She did not anticipate going professional, she said, let alone fighting twice with Bellator.
She started off with the Renzo Gracie in West Haven and changed gyms a few times during the last five years, including Speed School in Milford.
"I started with BJJ," she said. "But for some reason striking came more naturally. I love striking."
She described her ground game as her weakest point and added she was improving it.
Although Bellator has not yet signed her on a permanent basis, she said, she added that they approach her and other area fighters when they come to Connecticut to draw a local audience.
She praised Premiere FC owner Kathryn Wesch, who she said has given her the toughest opponents that she has faced in both amateur and professional bouts.
"All four times that I have lost have been in Karyn's cage," she said.
She admitted that of all her opponents, she would like a rematch with Destiny Quinones, whom she described as a friend and former training partner. She added that that her mind was not totally into their catchweight fight during Premier FC 28 in March, which she lost by decision. She noted a large weight drop, sickness and a back injury in training camp as major distractions.
"I am not taking anything away from her," she said, praising Quinones's execution of her game plan.
Blaine praised Tammy Worrick, whom she out-struck in the second round of their flyweight bout at Premier FC 23, for fighting at an older age.
She also credited Ana Julaton praised her Boxing ability. She added this was why she focused on keeping their flyweight bout at Bellator 185 last year on the ground, enabling her to win by decision.
"Hannah Goldy, the nicest i have ever met that has punched me in the face," she said regarding her next flyweight opponent at Premier FC 26, "I have never had my face busted up like that before."
Blaine, whop conceded that she bruises easily, last that fight by decision.
She currently works third shift as a machine operator when not spending time training or with her girlfriend.
"Honestly, it kind of sucks," she said. "I am tired and age does play into it."
Her long-term goals include starting her own gym and teaching women's self-defense, adding that she obviously can't fight indefinitely.
"You can all you want but you can't fight age," she said. But she urged prospective fighters not to be discouraged.
"No matter what you age you are, whatever it is that you dream, just go for it," she said.
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