The emergence of women’s MMA has not been a fast process, but since making its debut in Stirkeforce and now the UFC, the appetite for it has been on a steady incline. At the forefront of that appetite have been fighters like Ronda Rousey, Meisha Tate and Cris “Cyborg” Santos – but, behind those names there are a plethora of other female mixed martial artists waiting for their next match and shot at the title.

We recently sat down with Invicta staple, Nicdali Rivera-Calanoc, who shared with us some of her background and emergence into the world of MMA as well as her thoughts on some of the more pressing issues within the sport today…

What drew you to MMA/fighting in the first place?

Well, you know it’s a little bit of a long story, but… I’m not originally from the US, but where I was living before there weren’t too many role models for me to look up to. So, my stepdad and I were watching Oscar Del La Hoya’s fight in 1992 when he fought Chavez for the title and I just saw how someone like him could be a sucessful fighter and it made me want to be a fighter.

What drew me to MMA was my husband at the time was doing MMA back when I was first starting boxing, and I just kind of liked MMA a little better because there is more variety.

How would you characterize your overall fight style?

I consider myself a well-rounded mixed-martial-artist, but as far as style goes I’m a lot like Vitor Belfort or Wanderlei Silva… Shogun. I like to punch people.

What do you think is the most important technique to have honed down in the world of MMA today?

I think the most important thing is to be really good at transitioning from one art to another without having to think about it – without hesitation. That’s what I think is the most important thing in my opinion.

Who has been your biggest inspiration within the fight world, both on a professional level and a personal level?

Not really any one fighter in particular, but I really look up to my husband. He fought in Strikeforce – not a lot of people know about him because he retired a few years ago – but, he’s completely well-rounded: he can wrestle, he can do jiujitsu, he’s got muay thai and boxing. I strive to be like him and be well-rounded and have a lot of the skills that he has.

Also another fighter that I look up to is Meisha Tate. Just seeing what she has done in a short time, what I consider a short time, and her career I find amazing. I also just think she is a really great person.

When you’re preparing for a fight, do you have a specific camp or person you like to train with (your husband, for example)?

Well, my husband is my main trainer, but I also have a BJJ coach and wrestling coach and I have another boxing coach – but, he (my husband) is my main trainer. He also does my strength and conditioning and he also does my overall MMA.

My specific place camp that I train at is Ultimate Performance Complex. They usually have everything I need there. I usually bring other people out if I need someone specifically to help me train.

What has been the most defining fight in your career to-date?

Probably when I fought Felice Herrig. That fight was just a really eye-opening fight for me; mentally, physically – everything about that fight made me a better fighter.

Would you call that your most difficult fight as well?

No. My most difficult fight was probably when I fought Shawn Tamaribuchi. She was just so tough. There were a couple points in that fight when I thought I had her, and she just would not stop coming – she just wouldn’t stop. It was crazy. I ended up winning that fight, but it was a difficult fight.

You had a bit of a lull between your last two fights – is there any particular reason?

I had some personal reasons, my last fight I got injured. I’ve been training this whole time, it’s just that I had some family issues back in January and the injury. But, I’ve been training as much as I could – whenever I wasn’t injured I was in the gym training.

If you could fight anyone in the world today – who would it be?

Well, I fight Jessica Penne July 13th and that’s who I really want to fight, so I’m getting what I want.

Permitting weight-class introductions, could you see yourself fighting in the UFC one day?

If there was ever a possibility, yes – but, to be completely honest, I’m really content fighting for Invicta.

Ronda Rousey has become the flag bearer for female fighters. Do you think she is the real deal, or do you think she will be exposed?

No. I think if she ever fought Cyborg (Cris Santos) she would lose. I honestly think that Meisha (Tate) can and will beat her next time around.

Do you think there is a way that MMA refereeing could be better regulated?

I don’t really think about all of that. I’m more of the mind that you just go out there and fight, that’s what they are there for.

Top 3 pound-for-pound in the world right now – who do you have on your list right now?

I would have to say Cyborg (Cris Santos), Dominic Cruz – I love him, and Anderson Silva.

We really appreciate Nicdali taking the time to talk to us. We’re really looking forward to seeing her fight again – we know that we’re going to see a belt around her waist in no time.

Follow Nicdali on Twitter: @Nicdali

Follow me on Twitter: @lastwordmark and @lastwordonsport