On January 28th 2017 Sarah “Primal” Patterson is set to make history when she faces off against “The #1 Headbusta” Jozette Cotton for the lightweight championship of the world at Gateway Fighting Series. Currently no major promotion hosts a belt for the 155lb ladies, however that’s about to change. Patterson (4-2-0) makes her debut at 155lbs for this bout after previously reigning supreme in the Welterweight+ divisions, she talks openly to us about her transition down to Lightweight, Jozette Cotton, plans to fight for UFC Fight Pass’s Invicta FC, why she begun fighting, thoughts on fighting Cyborg, Rousey’s return and lots more. You can view the full transcript of the interview below.

You’ll be returning at Gateway Fighting Series, against Number 2 ranked Lightweight in the world Jozette Cotton for the Lightweight World Championship. What are your thoughts on Cotton as an opponent?

She’s tough and I’ve been knowing I’d end up fighting her for some time. I’ll be glad to get it out of the way. I’m planning to finish someone who hasn’t been finished in 9 fights. I’m hoping to get the attention of Shannon Knapp. I’ve been wanting to fight for Invicta FC since their first event in 2012. What holes do you see in Jozette Cotton’s game? I don’t believe Jozette is always realistic with herself. She seems to think she can just will herself to win, but there are many other factors aside from will. I believe she has more lessons to learn in MMA and life in general about respect.

In the past you have fought at Middleweight. You’re now moving down to Lightweight. Tell us about your transition down to Lightweight, and your reasons for doing it? My last fight was supposed to be at lightweight and I weighed in at 156.0 but my opponent weighed over by quite a bit. The contract was revised but why it’s listed on my record as middleweight I don’t know. If anything it should have been changed to 170 but it’s water under the bridge. It’s also not a reflection of the Steelfist organization. Kevin and Pat Patton have always been respectful and professional. As far as the transition, it was a difficult one. I’ve had troubles with overeating. I used to get depressed because I was over weight and then eat to feel better and then the cycle started over. I just had enough I guess. I need to go as far as I can with my MMA dreams before I get much older so now is the time and featherweight is the weight I’m eventually working down to. Unless Shannon gets a lightweight division.

What are your thoughts on current Number 1 Lightweight Bobbi-Jo Dalziel, how would a fight between you and her go down? My thoughts on Bobbi are that she is a very skilled, respectable fighter. I’ve messaged with her a bit and she is very classy and likable. I’d rather be her friend than fight her but if we someday have to face each other in the cage, I’m sure it would be a hell of a battle.

Cris Cyborg who is currently the Number 1 P4P Female Fighter fights one division below at Featherweight. Is she a fight you’d like to have one day, and if so, why do you believe you will beat her when others haven’t? I am not on Cyborg’s level atm. I’ll need a couple of more years of training before I could fathom that fight but if I’m lucky she’ll be retired and you’ll be asking other up and comers how they expect to beat ME.

If you were to fight her, would you like to the bout to be at Lightweight, or would you cut to Featherweight? I’m comfortable and healthy at lightweight but am planning to move to Featherweight anyway so probably 145.

Big news in WMMA at the moment, the return of Ronda Rousey. How do you think her fight with Amanda Nunes will go? I have lost before and it did a LOT for my motivation. I believe she’ll come back better than ever. Nunes is very skilled and tough but I’m rooting for Ronda and am a huge fan.

How did you first get into MMA? I started out amateur boxing and went 9-0. Dennis Reed who put on one of the shows I won a boxing trophy in offered me an MMA fight and I’ve been hooked ever since.

When you’re not training, what else do you do in your spare time? I’m the mother of a wonderful 10 yr old daughter who I take care of mostly by myself but have a very supportive boyfriend and family.

What would you say your biggest strengths are, and what’s the thing you need to work on the most? My biggest strength is being real with myself and being hard on myself when needed. I don’t tell myself I’m greater than I am and so I realize it’ll take a lot of hard work to get where I want to go. I don’t wait around looking for someone to hand it to me. What I need to work on is resentment for the fact that I am not always picked first for opportunities, and to be thankful for what I have instead of focusing on what I don’t.

What’s your favourite strike/submission to use in any fight? I’m working on being more comfortable standing and trading but unless one’s striking is outstanding it’ll be just that. Trading. I prefer to grapple my opponent and then I can control the fight and not get pounded amongst the face. I like a good rear naked choke if I had to choose a favourite.

Who is your biggest inspiration? My Dad is the most incredible person I know. He is honest and hard working. He doesn’t seem to be afraid of anything, or at least doesn’t let the fear stop him from doing what’s right.

Which team are you training with in preparation for your bout with Jozette Cotton? I’m independent at the moment but am hopeful about starting to train striking with a new coach, Derek Loffer, of Down to Fight MMA in Cedar Rapids as soon as I’m healed from my recent surgery.

What does it mean for you to be a fighter? It means doing something I’ve found myself to be very good at naturally. I’ve felt very out of place most of my life. When I am in a cage fighting someone, I know exactly what to do and I feel at home. I have an intense primal instinct.

How big a factor is reviewing your opponent’s fight tapes? It’s a big factor for me. I very much like to have a plan in place of how I’m going to impose my will and it’s nice to know what I might expect. It’s also my opinion that fighting is in large part mental, and I like to see that my opponent is human and cringes when they get punched, or makes mistakes I might be able to capitalize on.

What separates you from every other fighter in your division? I have survived things that I shouldn’t have been able to. I am a BAMF because of the things I’ve gone through in life. Most people haven’t suffered this much.

What’s your five year plan? To have at least one fight in Invicta, to buy a house in my daughter’s school district, to have a meaningful career where I feel I’m making a difference in people’s lives.

What do you want to be remembered for at the end of your career? My honour and respectability. Also a couple of good highlight reels wouldn’t hurt.

Thanks for joining us today Sarah. Anything you’d like to say, any shoutouts ? Thanks so much to the people who put up with my selfish bs in the pursuit of my MMA dreams, especially my daughter and my boyfriend Curtis. I love you both so much. Patterson faces Cotton for the World Lightweight Championship January 28th for Gateway Fighting Series in Sioux City. The bout will be filmed to air on ABC TV at a later date. For those of you wanting to watch this historical bout live in person, tickets will be on sale Friday December 16th via MTA Shrine box office, your favourite local fighter, cagetix.com or by calling 3094282823. Follow Gateway Fighting Series and Sarah Patterson on Facebook to be kept up to date with all the latest news.

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Sarah ‘Primal’ Patterson – CLICK HERE

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