You are a young Canadian girl and you are offered a Ford Modeling contract.
You kindly decline. Say what. Why?
Your heart chooses a path of bruises and hard knocks as a professional fighter.
I would like to introduce you to Tina Francesca Zappitelli.
Hello. I go by my middle name to stay authentic to my Italian heritage. My friends call me Frankie, and you all can call me Ms. Zappitelli. Just joking, well maybe not when I'm the women's world champion.
I knew my destiny was to be a fighter when I was eight years old and my brother and I became the barnyard wrestling neighborhood tag team champions.
Many people ask me why I have chosen to become a professional fighter.
It as simple as this, I didn't want to live my life in a state of fear. I wanted to know how to protect myself and hold my head high.
My professional training started when I was 16 years of age in the area of Maui Thai kickboxing. I learnt how to be quick on my feet and snap out a mean round house kick.
My training was not complete to be a world class ultimate fighter. I needed to know what to do if a fight went to the ground, or if I was attacked and had someone larger on top of me. Grappling study is essential. Thus, I began Brazilian Jujitsu 7 years ago when I was 18 years of age.
I've been fortunate to study with masters all over the world. In Europe, I had the opportunity to train with a bodyguard for a member of a royal family. In California, I've trained with the Gracie’s, LAPD, R1 and New Japan. I have expanded my training to include roman greco wrestling to have mean takedowns, and of course boxing to be the baddest of all the girls.
My favorite form of fighting is as a Professional Wrestler. Many think Pro-style is not real fighting, which is the furthest thing from the truth. It incorporates many forms of Martial Arts. Most wrestling moves are derived from traditional Chinese wrestling, which is the forefather of most martial art grappling styles. I’ve added pro style to my fighting regime to put my fighting skills to practical use which is choreography a fight for entertainment purpose.
A growing trend is Female Submission fighting. The boys can do it so can't the girls? I tell you seeing two girls fight with the same intensity as their male counterpart is quite amazing… Hello Amazonia.
My first event I had a 20 minute match against the wrestler Adrenaline. She out weighed me by 50 pounds. I won 5 falls to 1. I had a rear naked choke hold in so tight I broke her trachea. You can fight someone bigger and stronger and win, proving technique and heart will overcome strength and size.
My next scheduled fight is against Priscilla Tuft, another fitness model. Erin Toughill has issued a challenge to me. I look forward to accepting this challenge and winning. I guarantee it will be a great fight. An animalistic instinctual fighter comes out as soon as I commence. I have knocked teeth and brought tears to the eyes of my female opponents. I always bring drive and determination to defeat anyone who steps on the mat or ring with me. I have my eyes sight on bringing female fighting to mainstream popularity, and being the champ.
