Chicago happens to be the hometown of Felice "Little Bulldog" Herrig (11-6) where she defeated Kailin Curran (4-3) inside the Octagon last night.
During the first round with 1:59 on the clock, Herring defeats Curran with a rear-naked choke earning her a Fight Night Bonus of $50,000!
She looked very clean and very focused in this fight. There is a difference between getting inside the cage to just fight and really wanting it. The "Little Bulldog" did just thought against Curran, who is a really tough opponent. Felice knew that it was her time. Especially since she took some time off from her last fight against women's strawweight, Paige "12 Guage" VanZant (6-2).
Losing that fight as she explained was very hard for her to accept because she ended up gassing out so early from her. It didn't get the best performance during that night in April 2015. From battling with anxiety and depression from her past it was hard for her to even get motivated to go to the gym. She knew something had to change.
She used that energy and put it into training for American Ninja Warrior. That was another redemption she needed to mark off her list. Even though she didn't win it encouraged her to face her fears a lot more and do what she was meant on this planet to do and that is to fight.
During the training camp for her fight against Curran, Herrig got a little help from her best friend, the former and first women's strawweight Champion, Carla "Cookie Monster" Esparza (11-3). She knows a thing or 2 about wrestling and was making sure our "Little Bulldog" was all prepped up in all angles before her fight. All her training and hard work as paid off.
It is good to see the familiar face of Herrig fight and glad she is at this point where confidence is key. She is going to take this passion a long away now and I can't wait to see what the UFC will have in store for this talented fighter next.