The Closing Chapter: Strength in every struggle - by sarah oriza

After my first three fights, I faced a new challenge: finding opponents. The lack of female fighters made it increasingly difficult to secure bouts, and I often received calls when others backed out or couldn’t find an opponent. Known for accepting fights others would not, I fought some incredibly talented opponents and gained unique experiences. Many of my fights ended in TKO, with me often on the receiving end, and I even had one fight where the referee stopped the match early while my opponent was standing in my guard—an example of the many challenges I faced.

I traveled alone to various states, eager for every opportunity, but often I would have a long year and a half wait between fights, making it hard to get comfortable in the cage. Then, in 2009, I received a call that would change everything: an opportunity to fight the well-known Strikeforce fighter, Miesha Tate. This was a significant opportunity. For the fight, I agreed to drop to a weight lower than I had ever fought at, 140 pounds. I drove to Tacoma, Washington, with the heater blasting while wearing a sauna suit to lose the extra pounds, ultimately weighing in at 138 — two pounds lighter than required.

On fight night, as the main event, the atmosphere was electric. Facing Miesha, my adrenaline surged, and instead of fear, I felt excitement for such a tremendous opportunity. Miesha, aware of my Jiu-Jitsu background, aimed to keep the fight standing. In the first round, we exchanged strikes, but she was getting the better of me.

As I entered the second round, my corner urged me to get the fight to the ground. Unwisely, I dropped my hands into a Jiu-Jitsu stance, and before I could execute my plan, Miesha threw a head kick that knocked me unconscious just eight seconds in. I don't remember the moments that followed, but I was told I took about eight more strikes that resulted in a broken orbital bone and a severe concussion, ultimately ending the fight.

After that bout, I only fought once more. Still recovering from the previous match, I stepped into the cage against Sarah D’Alelio. Although I had significantly improved my striking, I felt an overwhelming dread as I entered the cage. That apprehension manifested when I made a poor shot for a takedown and was caught in a standing Armless Darce choke. This marked the end of my MMA career.

While I still, to this day, receive occasional fight offers, I learned that fighting hindered my ability to be the best coach I could be. My focus shifted to supporting my athletes—helping them grow and succeed while recognizing the toll that fighting had taken on my body. This journey has taught me invaluable lessons, and I’m grateful for every experience, every challenge, every victory, and every loss.  Without those experiences, I would not be as good of a coach as I am today.