NOT MARRIED!!!

I just want everyone to know I am not married and I have NOT been with that person for a long time. I had to seperate for a litany of reasons. I just wanted to clear that up, and most sites seem to have the correct information. So in case anyone was not aware....they are now!

Long Year

So, I retired earlier this year. I really, really needed a long break. It's been 3 years (back to back) of a lot of emotional ups and downs and I am happy it's over now. If decide to fight, I will return in 2008. I am now walking around @ 155 lbs, so I will fight at 150 and below for MMA or boxing. But mostly I would do it (very) part time. I love to train and fight, but my future is not in fighting; it seems to be in helping OTHER people to help reach their goals. I am single and finally focusing on my needs instead of everyone else's and doing what's best for me.

I have been keeping up with my training though and just received my brown belt from James Boran www.boranjj.com He was and is the best straight BJJ coach I ever had and even though I have had to travel and move around, I think I will always have a home there.

I am still training "Razor" Rob McCullough, and he most recently retained his WEC lightweight belt. He works hard and deserves it. I am also helping a couple other fighters on the HB Ultimate Team and it's really a pleasure.

I am working and teaching full time and for the last several months working for a wellness based company in Newport Beach as the Director of Fitness; it's another rewarding job teaching people the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

MMA seems to be blowing up and that's great. I am glad the ladies are really getting the exposure and I think some big things will happen soon.

Training Hard for April 14th MMA Fight in Las Vegas

Just letting everyone know how great my training is going for my April 14th MMA fight in Las Vegas. I am the main event and along with me there will also be another female fight that I am really looking forward to. Ginele Marquez wil be taking on another tough wrestler named Tanya Evinger. Both are coming off immpressive wins and I know these ladies are coming to throw down!! My husband Clark, will also be taking on Ultimate Fighting Reality finalist, Jesse "Kid Hercules" Forbes. Clark will put his undefeated record on the line for this 185 lb. matchup!

I have been training with Eric Paulson, my husband, Josh Barnett, and all the other great guys from UMMA. I am excited to finally have several fights lined up for this year and I look forward to winning them all. Along with my fighting, I will continue to be invloved on the other side of the ring as well with interviewing and commentating.

Please check www.tuffnuff.net to purchase tickets and get other information! This fight will be taking place at the beautiful new South Point Hotel and casino!! See you

All Female MMA Card - New Fight Films

Hi Guys,

Over the weekend of March 10, 2007, I was proud to be a part of New Fight Films All Female Professional Mixed Martial Arts Event: The Breakout! It took place in Minneapolis, MN and included some of the best female MMA fighters in the world. This venue was being filmed in HD for DVD distribution through BlockBuster Video and First Look Video. I did not fight on this card but I was involved on another level - I participated in interviewing the women before their fights, and I also did a MMA demonstration along with some other commentating. It was amazing and what a great experience. The color commenting crew consisted of Robby McCallister, Duke Rufus (K-1 fighter) and Bob Sapp (K-1 fighter and Pride veteran) Along with these guys, there were some other great fighters running around the arena as well. UFC lightweight Champion of the world, Sean Sherk, was there to support MN Martial Arts Academy and female fighter Cody Welchin. Pride Star and former UFC HW Champion, Josh Barnett, was there to lend support to his female fighting phenom, Megumi Fuji. Also, former UFC Lightweight Champion, Jens Pulver was there to lend support to Adrienna "AJ" Jenkins. New MMA sensation, Gina Carano was also there with her winning fighter, Ginele Marquez.

There were 6 amazing fights and every woman put on a great show and proved why the women are here to stay. NFF treated the women with great respect and gave them an amazing venue to display their skills. NFF's next MMA card will be held in late June, 2007 and I am ecstatic to be fighting on this card!!

Look for great things to come from New Fight Films and the fantastic women helping bring MMA to the next level in 2007!

Made My USA MMA debut

So, for those who read, I fought an MMA fight two weeks after my boxing fight on Sept 15 @ Cache Creek Casino in Sacramento, CA. I LOVE MMA and was really happy Jen accepted the fight. She was a tough woman and came to win. I have much respect for all the women who fight, but always for the ones who love to be "challenged".

Now whether or not I put undue stress on myself for this fight, I don't know. (I would say YES LOL) But not only did I have to make a great showing - I HAD to win. I really think this fight would have been the turning point in my career had I lost. I did not know much about my opponent except that she was undefeated. I also heard that she was no pushover. With all those things in mind, I just made sure not to underestimate Jen, and I did not. But what I can tell you is that I did not underestimate myself either. I had really come along way in these last few months with some of the personal and professional things I had endured. I wanted this win more than anything and I just "knew in my heart" that it would be in my favor.

I look at fighting this way: even if the girl has the tools to be in there - so do I. I am not arrogant when I enter the ring, but I AM confident; confident in what I know; confident in the fact that I am prepared; confident in the fact I have an amazing team with me; and confident in the fact that I deserve to be where I am because of all the hard work and dedication I put into my fighting. And with all that in mind, the last thing you want to be when fighting is careless. You need to be calculated and intelligent. Strange things can happen in fighting and you just need to be aware of those realities. And when you haven't fought in two years; and when you are making your USA debut; and when you are the semi main event; and when it seems like your whole career is dependent on this fight...Man! That "stress" can either make or break a fighter.

What I had not written about (and will in more detail later) is that there was also one more interesting piece to this puzzle. MSNBC was doing a one hour documentary on MMA fighting and they contacted my husband and I about following us for the three days leading up to this fight. So not only did I have the above factors, I also had a camera that was in my house, my hotel room, my dressing room, and ringside for three days following my life which would be nationally aired in November. OK, do you think you might be a little anxious too?? haha

All of these things were once in a lifetime opportunities. There was part of me that did not want that camera in my face and then there was the part that said this is the exposure that not only MMA needs, but FEMALES in MMA need. I was honored to be a part of it.

So, you guys can read the link about my fight and get the details. But the recap is that I won. I won via TKO in the second round (punches from the mount) It could have been all those things that changed the direction of my life (with fighting) in a negative way, but that was not the direction in life I am destined to go right now. I honestly believe I am here to help represent the sport of MMA and to show that women have a place here too. Recently, I have been getting more questions and emails from women interested in Mixed Martial Arts. I have said all along that I really am here to help promote women in this sport and I think that is part of the reason I won as well.

I can't tell you how many people thought our fight was "the fight of the night". And when two women are getting that response on an all men's card...well, maybe we're doing something right after all :) I look forward to getting back in the ring next month on another Valor Fighting card. Thank you to everyone who not only helped me, but to my opponent, to Rick Bassman and Valor Fighting, my mother and my husband and friends, and to everyone who wants to see MMA grow and flourish! Thanks and much love

Erin

My Dad

I wanted to write this last week, but it would have been too hard considering I had been training for my fight. My father passed away from cancer ONE WEEK before my fight. I know a lot of people who know me (like friends and family) read this and they find great info. if they've not been able to talk to me personally. A lot of my friends have no idea because it's been too hard to talk about. I wanted to wait till after my fight so that it would be "easier" for me.

I still decided to fight and I know I made the right decision. It was a very hard one, but I felt my dad would have wanted me to be happy and would have wanted me not to let all that hard training go to waste! Him and my sister were my biggest fans. My father passed two years to the month after my sister had died in a car accident. I think he might have died from a broken heart. I miss both of them dearly, but now they are together and watching over me :) Maybe they stopped me from sliding completely OFF the judges table LOL

It seems so surreal and you just sometime don't get how life is so crazy. But that IS life and life can be so sad but so beautiful too. My fight did not turn out how I would have liked and maybe that is for a reason, although I have no idea what is is right now. I tried to be as mentally prepared for this fight as I could, and I felt I was, considering what happened. I just hope I made my dad and my sister proud and that they know I am OK :) I will continue on and make you guys proud every day. Love you and miss you so much and we will all meet again.

Training, and Training...

It's a new week and I am soooo sore! I have a big fight on August 31st in Lake Tahoe, NV @ Harvey's Casino. I get one day a week off, and lately it doesn't feel like it's enough ARRRGH. I recently returned from my honeymoon, and I even trainined while I was on vacation LOL Ppl thought I was crazy! I was is Mexico from July 14-24. I was sleeping and training and eating. I think I do the same thing when I am at home. Prior to that, my husband and I were in Las Vegas for the Gold's Gym Convention. That whole week I was training and sparring with one of my best friends and training partner, Librado Andrade. Librado is the NABO, NABA and WBO champion. He fights @ supermiddle w/ a 23-0 record. He is the mandatory challenger from the WBC world championship. As you can imagine, I have learned quite a bit getting to train with Librado for the last few years. Anyways, just letting my fans know I am training my butt off and am looking forward to my next win. I train Monday - Saturday doing everthing from Boxing, weights, plyos, sprints and even keeping up with my wrestling (it's great cross training) For those who don't know, I am also moving down a weight class. I have fought consistently @ supermiddle weight which is 160-168. I will be moving down to middleweight which is 154-160. I feel quicker and stronger at this weight. Our team thinks this is a great move, as do I. I am also looking to fight a Jr. Middle weight which is below 154. I look to hold titles in all three divisions! OK guys, thanks again and off to train :)

Getting Ready for My Next Fight

Hey everyone,

Last time I wrote here was February 2006. I know a lot of my fight fans email me or check my new MySpace account (www.myspace.com/erinfights) to track me down and to see what's going on in my life. So if ppl are checking here and not finding the information they'd like - please feel free to email me on myspace or my personal account, OK?

OK, well, I have been consistently training since my last fight @ the end of Jan, but have taken time off from fighting to "organize" things haha. Sooooo much has been happening: first, I got married! I know, I can't even believe it - it's awesome and I married the man of my dreams (I'll tell you more about him later.)We have known one another for quite some time, but our relationship was strictly professional. We started dating in February 2006, and after a very short courtship, married. I know, I cannot believe how fast in was, but sometimes you just "KNOW", you know? hehe

I am always working (which is great) and have kept up with teaching Martial Arts and functional sports training at my Jiu Jitsu Academy to men, women, but my favorite is definitely the children! I have a four year old that would knock your block off! haha Apart from my own fight training, personal training takes up a good part of my time so it is hard to find time for myself. Luckily, my husband is in the same business as I am so we get to see each other throughout the day which is very nice. He owns a few gyms, namely the Gold's Gym in Huntington Beach, where we met and where I work out. He is also a highly decorated wrestler from Orgeon State University (BTW his name is Clark) who has traveled around the world and competed in some of the biggest wrestling tournaments; that's how he became a two time national champion! It makes me so proud to talk about him and his accoldaes! So Clark (who is 32 years old) has been wreslting since he was 5. Pretty amazing. But guess what? You know what I love the most?? I get FREE wrestling lessons for life!! So if there was anyone thinking I might have been lacking in that department...ya better watch out hehehe

I have also started training some MMA fighters. My first student is an amazing world champion kickboxer and a great up and coming MMA star. We used to train together several years ago and work at the same gym. We also live in the same city and saw each other all the time. So earlier this year, "Razor" Rob McCollough asked if I would be interested in helping him with his boxing. As a woman in this sport, it can be very hard to get respect, not only from fans but from other fighters. It showed me a lot of who Rob is and what his character is about. It was nice to know that such a well respected fighter respected me and had zero problems learning from a woman - which was awesome. We work very, very well together. Not only do I assist him in his training, we spar together as well. We have had three fights together so far. All 3 ended in KO victories for the WEC (World Extreme Championship), and I know it won't be long until he is the UFC 155 lb champion. This past weekend, Rob fought the first fight of his 3 fight deal for the new fight promotion WFA (World Fighting Alliance) Although I was in Puerto Vallarta for my honeymoon (don't be jealous!!) and could not be there for Rob, he did pull off his fourth win via UD. I am very proud of you Rob, and you will keep kicking ass!!! :)

Clark trains me in wrestling and I train him in his standup - we have so much fun together. Clark has a 10-0 amatuer record and just won his first pro fight for KOTC (King of the Cage) in San Jacinto, CA May 2006. I look forward to my baby having a successful fighting career and I love getting to support and help him along the way...we are truly best friends. Yuck, I know, OK, sorry LOL No more sappy stuff!

I am getting ready for my August 31st bout against Laura "Lady Ram" Ramsey. We fought January 27th of this year and I beat her unanimously 5 out of six round fight. She wanted a rematch and so we gave it to her. She is a tough woman and very nice, but I will come out of this fight as the victor once again and I am just excited about keeping busy. The fight will take place @ Harrah's Casino in Lake Tahoe, NV on Thur. August 31st for "Ring of Their Own" ROTO is the only all women's fight card that consistently takes place around the world. You can find out more @ http://www.aringoftheirown.com/

Oh wow, last but not least, I signed with a new managment company, Infintiy Boxing LLC in July 2006. IB specializes in managing women and supporting women's boxing. They do have several men fighters as well, but women's fighting needs more husband and wife teams like Butch Gottleib and Mary Ann Owen who have a genuine interest in helping women get what they deserve: RESPECT. I have a wonderful new team and a wonderful new husband and I look forward to 2006 being an amazing year with lots of wins, new championship belts for me and my husband, and lots of wins for my team!
http://boxinginlasvegas.com/infinity_girls2.htm

Talk to you all soon and thank for the support as always,
Luv, Erin

Finally made my comeback!

So, I FINALLY had my FISRT fight after a seven month layoff and a hard loss to world champ, Laila Ali, in June 2005. That was a fight that took some time to get over and took some time to regroup. I updated everyone in late 2005 letting all know that I had come back to where I should have been the whole time: Good 'Ol Sunny Southern California! I missed my friends, my family, my training partners and the weather. It was all wonderful, and even with my loss, I had some great experiences and met some great people. I had the chance to live in TWO completely different places in a very short time - it was awesome! Although that might not have been good for someone who is a professional fighter, I learned a lot and had the chance to do what many do not get to.

When I returned to Ca. in September, I actually had a certain local promoter tell me he was gonna have a "comeback" show around that same time. This "comeback show" was supposed to happen three different times during Sept. 2005 - Dec. 2005. After he asked me to participate, I had been training for those "three different fights" for months. Each time it was closer to the show we'd have to call and ask, "Was this fight still going on?!" I think if we had not contacted him, we would have never known the fights were not to take place! Not only could I not believe a promoter would not let the FIGHTERS know the fight was not to take place LOL But it was very frustrating and discouraging. We were trying to get a semi "tune up" fight @ least by the end of the year and time was running out.

So here it is - a brand new year. I told myself 2006 would be a new start and it's been a great start (career wise) seeing as I came back from a seven month layoff to beat a higher ranked (and very tough) opponent by the name of Laura Ramsey. Over the years, I have not been as consistent in boxing as I would like, but I have always taken fights when they were given to me and never ducked anyone in my short career. Laura is a great up and commer with a 5-1 (now 5-2) record. Although I did not do a lot of research on her, or see a lot of footage, I was aware of the fact that she had a "brawling" style and was a hard puncher! I was desperate to try to get back on the ring before 2005 ended - but unfortunately it was not in the cards. I ended up having to wait much longer than I would have liked. But again, it all happens for a reason so you have to really "flow" with it.

I am also in a class (super middleweight) which does not have as many participants as in the lower weight classes. Basically, that means we don't have the luxury of picking and choosing opponents. Sometimes you have to take a fight, even if it's "tough", because you don't know when your next fight will take place. Unless you have a promoter, you're kinda out of luck.

I also want to explain the difference between a promoter and a manager because that is a question I get A LOT. Your manager is the one who should book your fights, take care of business expenses, take care of your fighting gear, and even living expenses. Depending on what you agree to in your contract, those are basic manager duties. The promoter is the one who puts on the "show". For instance, in Irvine, CA. there is a boxing show that takes place @ the Irvine Marriot. This particular show happens about every 6 weeks, and this venue has been going on for something like, 20 years! So, if a fighter has a promoter, and depending on your contract, you will be on "X" number of consecutive fights, and they will supply the opponents and it's a good place for a fighter to build their record as well having the peace of mind that they will actually have fights. Most fighters do NOT have a promoter, so they do not know when they will fight next and they might not get the best treatment or money or type of fight they might like.

When I left Ca. I left my comfort zone and I left my great training facility. Whether you do Mixed Martial Arts or Boxing, Southern California is one of the best places to be for training. I moved to the other side of the country to train with new people, then a couple months later, did the same thing. THAT was super hard. Anywyas, so I came back and hooked up with my old camp. I had the same training partners, but am working with a new coach, Danny Zimora. Danny is awesome. We had our first fight together and won. I think we "click" very well and I really like his style. I have a feeling there'll be many more wins to come. He will be going to Big Bear soon to be helping my friend & sparring partner, Librado Andrade, for his comeback fight in April. He has not fought for about a year and if things go the way they should, he'll be fighting #1 world super middleweight, Jeff "Left Hook" Lacy later this year. Ok, enough about him LOL

So, "Ring of Their Own" is the only consistent all female boxing venue. I think they started in late 2004 and have several very good shows throughout USA and Canada. Laura Ramsey had been on their last four cards and I know she was the favorite coming in. I know that I was the underdog, and I also know I was supposed to lose :) We originally had a different opponent and then a couple weeks before, they changed it to Laura. I knew she was tough, but there was NO WAY I was not going to fight! I have not had a local fight in a couple years and I was soooo excited to bring all my friends and family - and I did. Most (meaning the ppl who don't know me) figured I had a seven month layoff, and they also figured because of my showing against Ali, that THAT was how I fought. Well, it's not, and I think Laura was just as surprised.

What I was surprised about was NOT being able to warmup! That is probably THE worst thing a fighter will have to overcome if they don't get the chance to warmup - it really sucks. We were the second fight, and we were not even done wrapping our hands when the FIRST fight came out. Strangely, we weren't notified that the fights were going to start! I kinda think that happened on purpose. I basically went out cold and had to warm up in the first round. That was very, very difficult.

Laura and I had a great fight. Most thought it was the best. We really just beat the crap out of each other for 6 rounds! It was the boxer x brawler. She fought very much like Joe Frazier - just came right @ you; never stopped; could take a punch; and was a brawler. We had a 6 round war with me coming out the winner! Although, I did not do as much as I wanted to, my jab and my footwork won me the fight. I always knew how important the jab was - but man, if I did not use it in this fight, I would have lost. I was a little stiff in the first round, we both became a bit tired in the fourth, but the sixth was my strongest round and I was really warm by then so I was able to slip and use much more footwork then in the beginning and I was able to get off with some great counter punching and angles. What's great is that I become stronger as the fight goes on. About 2 weeks before the fight, they offered us a title fight which would have turned it into a 8 round fight and we would have fought for the WIBA intercontinental title. I agreed, but she did not. I really wish she would have. I was so strong and the fight was now over.

I ended up winning by unanimous decision. I won 5 out of the 6 rounds. I think she won the fifth, because that's when I recall her clocking me two really good times and sending me back to the ropes. It definitely staggered me, but I regrouped and side stepped out! All my friends said they were scared when that happened, but they said I took them, shook it off, and came back even stronger. Well, at least I know I can take a punch LOL She was the harder puncher, but I connected @ a MUCH higher rate, with cleaner sharper punches, and more footwork.(There was a VERY SMALL writeup and the link is on the homepage)

All in all, it was a great fight against a great opponent. I am learning more and more with each fight. I still have so much more to learn, but I am happy that coming from a MMA background, that I am able not only to compete @ a high level, but I am able to beat women who have boxing much longer than I have. It definitely motivates me, and I just want to keep learning and to keep striving to become a better fighter. I am never, EVER complacent, and that seems to be the key to becoming the best.

I MIGHT be fighting end of March, but I am definitely fighting mid April/May. I hope to fight for a world title this year, but most importantly just have fun and try to do my best! Keep supporting me and all females out there trying to pave the way!

Erin Toughill

Training Harder Than Ever!

Hi everyone ---

I just wanted to thank everyone who has been supporting me through and through. I get emails everyday wishing me luck and giving me a ton of support. It's always nice to receive letters like that because it gives me strength to train harder and harder. I fight for me, but I also fight for my family and my fans. I am ecstatic that I have so many people supporting me and I just want to go out there and do one of the things I am best at - and that's fighting.

This is a huge fight for me in terms of exposure. I have been waiting my whole career for a chance like this. The bigger picture is getting women's boxing mainstream exposure. People need to know that there are many, many talented female athletes out there that will never get an opportunity like this. With this fight, I really hope to help change that. I am a big advocate for women in MMA and boxing and I hope we will see a change in the tide in the next few years. Most men will never get to fight on a boxing card like this - let alone women. It's so exciting and I am honored to be a part of it!

All of my time, as of right now, is dedicated to training, so I am not writing on here as much as I like. Just know that I AM here and I am training harder than ever. I am doing it for all of you guys. So thank you again for the support. My site has been getting hundreds of hits a day and we are working towards making it even better! So that's it for now. I just wanted to check in w/ everyone and let you know I was still here. Thanks again and talk soon!!

Erin

Hey Guys!

Well, lemme start out by saying that I am sorry for not writing recently. I have been SOOO busy this past month. All last month I had to relocate - and that was very stressful. I also had to find a new trainer and gym (which is also very stressful.) I am very lucky I happened to find someone who can help me continue to be a better fighter. The new gym I am @ is great. They have a lot of high profile fighters that come in and out of there for training. I always love watching great fighters train. You can only be the best if you train w/ the best.

This is what I will miss most about my gym in La Habra, CA: not only getting to train with some of the best guys in their respective divsions - but also belonging to a family. The gym is my home away from home. You (hopefully) get the chance to build special bonds with the men and women you train with. I guess it would be the same thing if you are on a baseball or football team - it's the comradery. You spend a lot of time with your team mates and it's sad when you have to leave them. I definitely miss them, but at the same time it is good for me to get a change. I think I am @ a point where I somewhat need it. I always say nothing is permanent anyways. You can always go back....

I have some other really great news that I will be sharing with you guys in the coming days - maybe sooner. You might even read it before I post it! I am very excited about this great news. Stay tuned and I will talk to you guys really soon!!

Erin Toughill

UFC 51 Trip

Well, I would have posted my pics and text from this last UFC sooner...but we just redid my website and have recently added this great new Journal section where I can actually tell people what is going on with me! It's a great idea. Anyways, I had not been to a UFC in a while. Everytime I wanted to go - I had a fight coming up that happened to fall right around the time the UFC would happen. So, considering this was such a action packed card, I was super excited to go!

We got to see LHW contender, Tito Ortiz from Huntington Beach, CA pound out a split decision win over Brazil's, Vitor "The Phenom" Belfort. This fight had us on the edge of our seats for all three rounds. With this win, Tito is back in the mix and once again proves that he is a force in the LHW division.

One of the most exciting (but quickest) fights was that between HW fighter, Tim Sylvia and Belarus fighter, Andre Arlovski. I knew this was gonna be an awesome fight - I just did not think it would end in 38 seonds! Tim threw a couple lazy jabs and Andre timmed it perfectly and caught him with an overhand right. It sent Tim to the canvas and Arlovski wasted NO time following that up w/ a straight foot lock that made the 6'8 Sylvia tap in the quickest ending fight of the night. It was beautiful.

HW contender, Paul Bunetello made an excellent first showing in the UFC by KOing his opponent. Evan Tanner is a classic hard working fighter. No glitz and no showboating. He is a man of few words and a man who can get the job done. I did not know if he'd beat jiu jitsu phemom, David Terrell, but his experience was the winning factor in that fight. He stopped David via TKO from punches on the ground. Since his leaving of Randy Cotoure's Team Quest, he had never seen this type of winning streak. He looks forward (as do I) to seeing him fight his old temamate Matt Lindland. I think Tanner will win that one - but it will be a fun fight nonetheless. The other fighter who I always love to see is Karo Parysian. This young kid pulls off the most amazing Judo throws. You would not think that you could pull off a drop seionage in an MMA match - but he proves time and time again you can! Awesome. All in all the card was incredible. I ran into an bunch of friends I had not seen in a while and we went to some kick butt after parties. I had a blast and I look forward to UFC 52: Chuck rematches Cotoure.

Also, just to give you guys and idea of what's next for me: I was scheduled to fight on an all women's boxing card that would take place March 26th in Laughlin, NV. Unfortunately, an agreement could not be met on a few things and our fight was scratched from the card. I am dissaponted but not upset. Things like this happen ALL the time in boxing. You just have to stay in shape and keep the ball rolling. You guys will know as soon as I know! Keep checking in and keep training hard! Talk soon

Erin

Welcome to Erin's new journal :)

Erin's been super busy with her training schedule and hasn't had a chance to write in her new journal yet - but stay tuned for some good reading soon :)