So my friend "Nameless One" from valetudo.ru took an interview with Alexandra. Big thanks to Thirdpres and Daniel4802 for questions. And Tim Peterson of wmmatoday fame for editing this interview and making it readable.
- What can you tell us about your background, where you grew up, went to school?
- I grew up in a town of Vulkaneshti, Moldavia and went to Russian school. I’ve loved sports since early childhood.
- What sports in particular?
- It was karate.
- How did you get introduced to karate, did your father take you to gym?
- No, it was me all along and it wasn’t my dad, it was my grandma ( laughs). Everyone at home was aware how much I wanted it. I was bugging them for a month at least and they were trying hard to defend, but in the end I was victorious! I was 10 at the time.
- Why would you choose karate?
- Its simple. This particular gym was growing at the time and I didn’t want to do dancing classes or go to musical school like my mother and sister did.
- Has your family been supportive of your professional career choices in bodybuilding and combat sports?
- Yes, everyone is very supportive, especially my father. Not even once did I hear words of disapproval about my hobby.
- How does it feel, having a signed contract with biggest promotion in the world?
- I’ve wanted it for a long time. What do I feel? Happiness maybe. I’ve been doing this for 13 years and it was not in vain. I knew from the beginning that it will lead to something bigger.
- Can you tell us about your training and fighting in Thailand?
- Training is not too different from how I train at at MMA KEGI. The heat makes it even easier for me, almost no need to warm up and lesser possibility of an injury. About the fights, for the most part locals are smiling at me and praising my skills ( laughs). I like fighting in Thailand, many athletes from around the world go there. Also many more girls that I can get some experience with.
- Where in Thailand have you fought?
- In Phuket and Pattaya.
- What is the MMA scene in Russia like for women?
- We don’t have many girls who are fighting seriously at pro level. I know Julia Berezikova personally. A couple days ago Anastasia Yankova came to our gym to train before her fight. Julia Borisova is great girl, but all in all, WMMA is not very developed here.
- Can you tell us what a regular day is like?
- So, today is Saturday. I wake up, eat my breakfast and after that I run like the wind to training session. After training I go to lectures (she attends Russian State Academy of Intellectual Property). Next there is work as a Crossfit instructor and after that I have a jog planned, then maybe I can get some (staring at coach) rest. (coach nods – “You can today”.)
- What do you like to do to relax? How do you spend your free time?
- With family mostly, especially with my father. I don’t see him often enough. After I get home and had my meal, we just seat there an talk about everything. I’m a family girl.
- What has been one of your biggest disappointments, or your greatest accomplishments, as an athlete? Maybe something you regret?
- I have nothing to regret, all is well. Everything happens for a reason victories and losses, I really love what I do. The biggest disappointment was probably my inability to win Russian National Crossfit Championship, but its ok, nobody wins every time, not even Rich Froning. My biggest triumph, I don’t know, maybe 1st place in fitness competition or winning firs online crossfit games….getting into MMA KEGI team was my biggest accomplishment so far I think ( smiles).
- What was the hardest moment of your life?
- I try not to notice bad things and if they happen forget them as soon as possible.
- Are you nervous while you compete?
- I’m always nervous before I compete. There are always chills before I enter the cage, but when I’m in, when I can see people yelling, rooting for me, all that nervousness goes away and its only fun after that.
- Who do you respect most? Who is your example in life?
- As a sportsman and professional, I respect my coach Andrey the most. I’ll always listen to him, his advices and he helps me all the time. ( And that’s why she always late – voice of sarcastic coach)
- Maybe now it is time to ask said coach Andrey Tsarkov some questions -
- Is Aleksandra the only girl that you train?
- The only one who fights professionally, but there are some other girls in our training group.
- Is it harder or easier to work with a girl? More pampering maybe?
- Not harder and definitely no pampering here, only downside is emotional conditioning.
- Emotional conditioning?
- They can become upset quite easy, more emotions to deal with.
- Are you Aleksandra’s sole coach?
- Yes I am.
- What’s your background?
- I’ve been doing martial arts sine I was 6 year old. First is was Judo than boxing and kickboxing. I started training in MMA around my 16th birthday.
- About her nickname “Stitch”, was it your idea? Why Stitch?
- Yeah, it was me. It was something in her eyes, her character, she just really reminds me of slightly crazy killer koala from outer space.
- So she was running around and destroying stuff?
- Something like that ( laughs).
- How were you able to reach such a lucrative deal for Aleksandra?
- Firstly we made contract with Red Fury Fight Team and Sam Kardan became our manager. It was his hard work that got us the UFC deal. Aleksandra is a colorful character and her level of skill is quite good, so I think she fully deserves to fight in UFC.
- Andrey had to leave, so we are back to questioning Aleksandra -
- You are nicknamed after the Disney character, Stitch. Let’s say Disney offers to sponsor you, but only under one condition: that your coach must be in your corner and dress in a Stitch costume. Would you try to convince him so you get sponsored?
- ( laughs) I think I can do that. Why not, I’ve wanted to see it for a long time.
- What are the things you enjoy most, books, movies, Internet?
- Victory (laughs), even when I have to overcome myself.
- Your Prince Charming, who is he?
- A caring, family man. He can be a daredevil, but everything must be in good measure.
Character limit won't let me post whole thing. So please read the rest of it here http://wmmatoday.wordpress.com/2013/10/08/interview-with-ufcs-aleksandra-albu/