© Marc Wickert
www.knucklepit.com

photos © IFL

Miss Emily Miller has one eye on her computer, and the other on the TV, while watching her favorite program – NCIS. Then the phone rings at her home in Des Moines, Iowa for another interview.

Since commencing work for the International Fight League, Emily has been busy tending to modeling commitments and working as an artist. "I paint abstract art using really bright colors. I kept the first few of my works for sentimental reasons, but I've been selling the more recent ones," says Miss Miller.

It was through Tim Sylvia referring Emily to the IFL that she started as a ring girl for them. Although she had worked for many of the shows around Des Moines area, Emily, who stays in A-1 shape through doing Pilates, now models exclusively for the IFL.

"I did a couple of smaller, local MMA shows. But the IFL is definitely the biggest I've done, and since I've been with them, I haven't done any of the other MMA events because I'm focused on the International Fight League work."

Emily admits she did find her IFL debut to be rather daunting, but that quickly changed: "I was nervous. I was a little overwhelmed at first, and I didn't think there'd be so many people, but it was great. The first show I worked was at Portland, Oregon."

Being in an industry that Emily totally enjoys makes her work a lot easier. "I love the fights. I'm a HUGE fan. I'm crazy at the fights – squirming around in the seats, yelling out positions and stuff. Lori looks at me like I'm crazy. I'm so into it, I'm such a tomboy."

It's easy to see why the crowds take to Emily and Lori with such affection – it's not just the KO looks and infectious smiles: Both girls have such bubbling, down-to-earth personalities that get the crowds right behind them. And these young ladies truly appreciate the fans.

"The response is great. You feel really good up there when you're smiling and people actually cheer for you. It feels wonderful: It's like a compliment. I remember the first show we did in Portland, Oregon, at the preliminary fights: There weren't many people in the seats at that stage, so it was kinda dull the first couple of times walking around. People didn't really know whether to cheer for us, or just look. It was a little intimidating with people just staring."

Emily, did it get better as the seats started to fill?

"Oh, it was great – with every fight there was more crowd involvement. It was wonderful. Lori and I also do promotions where we throw out IFL T-shirts. One of the announcers will usually say the IFL ring girls are going through the crowd right now, and tell the fans to yell if they want one, and we throw them out.

"We actually did one with a giant slingshot once: We weren't the best at working it so we just throw the T-shirts into the crowd now. It was quite funny – we would pull the slingshot all the way back and the T-shirt would just go dud on the ground. It would depend on how we put the T-shirt in there – sometimes it would fly through the air, and other times it would only go three feet. We just said heck with the slingshot and started throwing the shirts."

Do you do other work for the IFL – promotional appearances, modeling merchandise, etc?

"We're going to get more into that, probably next year as the IFL official season commences. But Lori and I worked a convention in Chicago: That's where we first met. They had a ring set up with some of the coaches and fighters in attendance. Lori and I were telling people about the IFL and getting the name out there. It was like a special appearance and people had their pictures taken with us. It was kinda cool; we felt like local celebrities."

Do you have silver-screen aspirations?

"I'd like to do some hosting work for a reality-type show: Now that would be a lot of fun. And I really enjoy modeling… But as for fully committing myself to an acting career – that's something I might consider down the track. However, I'm very satisfied doing the IFL work now."

What has been the response from your family and friends to your IFL career?

"You know, some have kinda teased me about it, and poked fun at me. (Laughs) But for the most part it's been very favorable. My Mom is always supportive of me: If it makes me happy, then she's happy with what I'm doing. And I have a blast when I go on those trips."

I spoke to Lori before and she said you two get on really well.

"Oh, I love that girl – she's like a sister to me. If I could pick anybody in the world to work with, it would be Lori. She is such a sweetheart."

Emily, is there anything you'd like to add?

"The respect and attention we get from the fans is very humbling. We really enjoy and appreciate the fans. When people come up and ask to have a picture taken with them, or for an autograph, it's very nice. It's a wonderful experience for Lori and me.

"And be sure to check out next season – the IFL is going to blow up! Everybody should just look out. The IFL recently signed on a couple more coaches and more teams, so we're going to be all over the United States – and the world – with different teams and legendary coaches…Don Frye, Marco Ruas, Ian Freeman, Ken Shamrock … It's going to be outrageous next year, and a lot of fun."

Watch for Emily Miller at the IFL Finals, Mohegan Sun Arena, Connecticut, 29 Dec. 2006.

For more on IFL: www.ifl.tv.