Portland, Ore. - Delicate ladies they're not. Mixed martial arts (MMA) has arrived in Portland and Jody DeSimone of G.I.R.L.S. Gym based in Portland, Oregon is making her amateur debut. MMA is a full contact fighting sport that allows a variety of fighting styles - from a mixture of martial arts disciplines both traditional and non-traditional, to be used in competitions. The rules can vary but generally allow the use of punching, kicking and grappling techniques, both while standing and on the ground. Such competitions allow martial artists of different backgrounds to compete against each other.

DeSimone's first bout will be against opponent Christa Shaffer of Xtreme Couture Gym in Vancouver, Washington. DeSimone, the clear underdog in this match has only been training for two months and is nine and a half shorter than her opponent. DeSimone is also the first amateur fighter that Sarah Oriza (owner of G.I.R.L.S. Gym) has put placed in an MMA fight. DeSimone found out 12 days before the fight that she would be one of the women listed on the fight card.

"I planned on competing eventually I just didn't think the opportunity would come so fast," said DeSimone "I always say life has a plan and I have a plan, but life often wins."

Shaffer is co-owner of one of two gyms owned by world famous MMA fighter Randy Couture. Couture was born in Lynwood, Washington he now has over 25 years of MMA training. Couture won his first title match in 1997 and is a legend in the Ultimate Fighting scene. Couture agreed to let Shaffer and her husband open a gym under his name. Shaffer is one of the coaches at the Xtreme Couture gym in Vancouver, Washington. Shaffer's husband and her coach and compete together through the Xtreme Couture gym.

Saturday December 6th at 7 p.m. The Roseland Theater in Portland, Oregon will have what they call "Rumble at the Roseland". The night will host 18 fights and two of those fights will be between women. For more information go to: www.doubletee.com and look under the full schedule option.

G.I.R.L.S. Gym is the only Portland based Self-Defense, kickboxing, and mixed martial arts training for women. G.I.R.L.S. Gym was founded in 2006 it's located at 2512 SE Gladstone St. Suite #200 in Portland, Oregon inside the Cultural Awareness Foundation. The gym covers effective techniques both standing and on the ground, practiced against resisting opponents, using Muay Thai kickboxing and submission grappling. For more information contact Sarah Oriza at 503.960.9257 or go to www.mygirlsgym.com.