Articles
July 2011 MMA Babe of the Month - Nicole Craner
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- Details
- Category: Women of MMA
- Published on Sunday, 31 July 2011 17:00
- Written by World of MMA
Our July 2011 MMA babe of the month is MMA model and ring girl Nicole Craner. Nicole is a small town girl from Coeur d' Alene, Idaho and spent her summers on the beach in Nor-Cal. She went to college for two years and has been a Legal Secretary for 6 years. Nicole has a huge passion for MMA. She has ring carded for Strikeforce, Pro-Battle MMA, Tuff Nuff and Shark Fights. She was a finalist for the Maxim UFC Octagon girl search. Nicole has been featured in Maxim, FHM, Extreme Fighter Magazine Centerfold and Skinnie Magazine. She is currently in the 2011 Playboy Intimates Model Search, 2011 Maxim Hometown Hottie Contest and a Suggested Follower of Playboy Magazine on Twitter.
How did you get into the world of MMA?
-I started renting the videos when the UFC first started with Royce Gracie and there were no weight classes. I remember watching Royce walk into the ring and he was such a little guy going up against bigger guys! I honestly thought to myself, what is this guy going to do? And then he amazed me. He was so agile, fast, patient and unbelievable. I kept asking my boyfriend if this was fake. It reminded me of Bloodsport in a way and the Kumite but the actual real thing and not actors...lol. Very cool.
Who are your favorite MMA fighters?
-I have a few ;). I tend to like the unknowns. The fighters that are stealth and you don't see them coming and then BAM there in your face. A fighter that brings something new to the sport that no one has seen whether it's a certain style or charisma. A perfect example would be Dominick Cruz. His style is unorthodox, his footwork is nothing anyone has seen or can copy and you never know which side he's coming from because he's in and out so fast. I also like the way he presents himself. He is very low key and not about the fame and hype. He's there because he loves what he does. A perfect Champion. I think he deserves way more credit than he gets. You hear people say "he doesn't finish fights". From a fan's perspective or at least mine, it’s not about the power of a KO; it's about giving your all. Cruz is battling all 5 rounds every fight almost. I would rather watch someone, bleed, sweat and put their heart on the line than knock someone out in 5 seconds. It's all about heart, passion and hard work. It's way more memorable to me.
-BJ Penn has also always been one of my favorites. Every time his walk out song plays it sends me back to islands in Kona, Hawaii where I used to live. I get sooo mellow and pumped at the same time. I am always out of my seat for his fights. He also has great dimples which makes it easy.
-Nick Diaz is also a favorite. He has a crazy fighting style that I love to watch but what I like most about him is he is real. He doesn't put on a show and he says how he feels. He also constantly challenges himself such as wanting to fight GSP. He is true to who he is. He speaks his mind and I respect that. I think he is one of the best fighters of all time.
-Matt Hughes is a favorite because he is such a humble man and a family man. I was sitting by him at an event a couple years ago and his fighter was getting ready to fight in the ring. I looked over and Matt’s head was down. I asked him if he was meditating. He said “no, I am praying”. I gained a lot of respect from him in that moment. He prays for everyone one of his fighters that steps into the ring. I think that is awesome and it shows his true character.
What are the strangest and sweetest comments MMA fans have said to you?
-I like the comments from the little kids that are at our events. They are sooo sweet and shy. One little boy told me "I was going to be his girlfriend one day". It...
