29 year old Sarah D'Alelio will be making her pro MMA debut on February 20th against Sarah Oriza on the all-pro Cagesport card in Tacoma, Washington at the Emerald Queen Casino. Sarah compiled a 6-1 record as an amateur representing Team Shockwave (BJJ of Olympia) and is sure to make a splash in the pro ranks. NW Fightscene correspondent, Jason Lusk, spoke with Sarah about the her debut and a whole lot more...

NW Fightscene: How was your Valentines Day?

Sarah D'Alelio: Pretty slow. I didn't go to the gym, it was Sunday, that's the day I take off. If it was on a normal weekday I would have been in there for sure. I spent it with an ex-girlfriend, but I got some ice cream out of the whole deal so I can't complain. I probably shouldn't tell anyone that I was eating ice cream a week before my pro debut, but it was only a little. And it was REALLY good.

NWFS: What's your Hometown?
D'Alelio: Olympia for the past 14 years. Montville, Maine for the first 15.

NWFS: What do you know about your opponent?
D'Alelio: I know that she owns an all female gym in Portland (G.I.R.L.S. GYM), her record is 1-5, she just recently fought Miesha Tate at Cagesport and lost by K.O.

NWFS: What made you decide to got pro?
D'Alelio: I was just having a really hard time finding any more amateur matches. I really wanted to rematch Sarah Weeks because she was the one loss that I have on my amateur record, but she wouldn't fight me, for whatever reason. This fight popped up and we decided to jump on it. 

I don't think Sarah Weeks has taken her first pro match yet, but yes, when she does I would very much like to fight her again. We fought for the 135 pound title in May last year, and it was a great fight. She beat me up good, I would also like to think I beat her up good, in the end the judges gave her the decision. It was only my 3rd MMA match and I learned so much just from that fight, and I'd love to do it again.

Sarah D'Alelio and Sarah Weeks post-fight

NWFS: How long have you been training?
D'Alelio: 2 1/2 years.

NWFS: Do you train with men or women?
D'Alelio: Mostly men. I can name on one hand all of the women I've trained with, presently or in the past, but the consistent training partners have always been guys.

NWFS: How many amateur fights did you have?
D'Alelio: My record is 6-1.

NWFS: Do you hold any titles or belts?
D'Alelio: I'm a blue belt in traditional BJJ under Robert Owens. I hold the 145 pound title for Anthony Hamlett "Onslaught Fights" out in Moses Lake. I fought Stephanie Webber for that title last year. I've also grappled at Sub leagues down in Oregon and The Revolution in Bonney Lake. When I went to Sub League I was a beginner, it was in '08 and I ended up winning the tournament in my division. Also took the absolute division that year. I either dislocated or broke a girls arm in that tourney, she didn't want to tap and I had an arm bar set in pretty deep. I blame her for that it's just plain stupid not to tap on a joint lock. The Revolution....oh man. I've grappled in that so many times, usually take first in whichever division I enter. The one exception was when I entered the men's intermediate division, I placed third. I just barely fit in the 1 and a half years experience bracket, and those guys were much more skilled than me. Still, it was fun to compete at that level. 

NWFS: Is it hard to get fights for a female?
D'Alelio: Not really. I mean, this will be my 7th fight in a little over a year. Every time I tell my coaches that I want a fight they always have one nailed down for me in less than 2 weeks it seems like. Except for the last time that one took a little longer.

NWFS: How does a female get into MMA? 
D'Alelio: Well, the first thing you have to do is check out your local MMA gyms, pick one you like, and start training. You have to be consistent, and not be afraid to train with the guys. They don't want to hurt you, but don't let them go easy on you cause you're a girl. You'll never get anywhere if they let you half ass stuff because you're a chick.

NWFS: Did you wrestle or play any other sports in school?
D'Alelio: I didn't wrestle, but I did play basketball, softball, soccer. I was always the overly aggressive girl who everyone seemed to want to stay out of the way of. I wasn't very popular because of that.

NWFS: How many female fighters are in the Northwest, pro and amateur?
D'Alelio: Oh my gosh, I wouldn't even be able to make an educated guess about that without getting on google. I'm gonna say 35, maybe, and call it good.

NWFS: How many female pro fighters in the US?
D'Alelio: Once again, this is going to be an uneducated guess. Um... 100?

NWFS: What is your long term goal in fighting and beyond?
D'Alelio: In terms of fighting, I just want to make enough of a name for myself as a professional fighter that I can support myself teaching after I'm done fighting MMA. I don't know if I ever want to own my own gym, maybe just teach under someone or alongside them. That would be ideal for me.

NWFS: Who is your favorite fighter?
D'Alelio: My favorite fighter... I'm gonna have to go with Anderson Silva. He makes great fighters look like 2 year olds. I also really like Demian Maia, so I'm super excited about their fight coming up. And a little sad at the same time. 2 of my favorites fighting for a title. Somebody has to lose. But at the same time at least one of my favorites is gonna win.

NWFS: Anyone you want to thank?
D'Alelio: Robert Owens of BJJ of Olympia (bjjolympia.com). That guy bends over backwards for anyone he considers part of his family, and I'm one of them. Joel Pettit, Matt Ferris, Eric Dahlberg (Demon Jiu Jitsu, Auburn), Lisa Ward and Eddy Ellis (United Training Center, Lacey). I can't name all of my training partners that would take forever. I will throw Scooter and Squirrel in there though, those guys know who they are. Slade at Tusslefightgear.com for hooking me up. And last, but definitely not least, my Mom and Dad. And my brother Joe. My entire family, actually. It's awesome to go visit with them and have them be so supportive, and educated about MMA just because I fight. I couldn't ask for a better support system.

NW Fightscene thanks Sarah for her time in this interview. She makes her pro debut this coming Saturday, Feb 20th at the Emerald Queen Casino against Sarah Oriza. Fights start at 7 PM. More info on the show can be found HERE.

Fans can also check out Sarah's myspace profile at myspace.com/stinkyevil.