With four knockouts in her past five wins, Janaisa Morandin knows a little something about striking power. Of course, she was introduced to one of combat sports’ most notorious strikers pretty early in life.

Like, as in before she was even born, she told MMAjunkie.

“My mother said I always liked fighting, hitting other people,” said undefeated Morandin, who makes her Invicta FC debut this weekend. “I think this comes from when she was pregnant with me. She used to stay up at the crack of dawn watching Mike Tyson fights.”

Now four years into her promising MMA career, Morandin (9-0) faces recent atomweight title challenger Jinh Yu Frey (5-2) at Invicta FC 22, which takes place Saturday and streams on UFC Fight Pass from Scottish Rite Temple in Kansas City, Mo. Morandin was an early adopter of martial arts, and the 22-year-old ultimately decided to give MMA her full attention.

“I started training muay Thai at 13, and fighting at 16,” she said. “And by 18, I was invited to debut in MMA. For that, I needed to learn other martial arts. That’s when I moved to the state of Santa Catarina (in her native Brazil). I left my family behind. My boyfriend and I made the move together, and that’s how I got started in MMA.”

As a road warrior who’s often traveled to her opponents’ home turf, Morandin has had plenty of success. That’s why she doesn’t mind traveling to the U.S. to fight Frey, a Texan who also made a big splash upon launching her pro career.

However, though “Evil Princess” was always confident in her career choice, not everyone else was.

“At first (MMA can be) very difficult for women,” she said. “So it’s been a problem since the start. Also, since I’m tiny, blonde, with light eyes, I never looked like a fighter. When I started teaching classes, I had some difficulties, especially with men (taking me seriously).”

However, she said a supportive family – including her mom, the “Iron Mike” fan – helped her chase her dream, and so far, their support has paid off.

“I wouldn’t have made it this far or accomplished so much,” she said. “My mother, father and brother are my strength. Everyone who knows me, knows that they keep me motivated in this fighter’s life. People know that an athlete’s life isn’t easy in Brazil. We have no money, and we have to train and hold a job at the same time. It’s not easy. Without the strength, pride and belief that my family has in me, I wouldn’t be here today. Today, I fight to make them proud. They are my foundation.”

Training at Killer Bees with Rodrigo Vidal, Morandin has also been working with the likes of MMA legend Anderson Silva, wrestling coach Fabio Cunha, jiu-jitsu coach Rodrigo Fajardo, fellow fighter Talita Nogueira and others.

She said this next bout is more than just that. The all-female Invicta FC promotion has been her dream home, and she’s getting a notable opponent in her first fight with the organization. Now, she needs to make the most of it.

“This is much more than a fight to me,” she said. “It’s a dream come true. I’ve been following Invicta since their first event. Fighting in Invicta has been my dream. After I signed the contract, especially to face one of the best in the weight class, I had a great sense of accomplishment.

“Whether I win or lose, it’s already a great accomplishment for me. But of course, she’s one of the best in our weight class and an excellent striker. I’m debuting without pressure. I know I’m facing one of the best. But I’m here to prove that I’m one of the best too. I think we’ll strike until one of us drops. I’m giving my blood. No matter what happens, I’m making this dream come true.”

For more on Invicta FC 22, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.