Julaton: ‘I’ve been a martial artist all my life’

SINGAPORE – On May 2, 2014, former female world boxing champion Ana “Hurricane” Julaton will step into an MMA cage for the very first time as a professional against Aya “Sheklesa” Saber (MMA: 2-3) of Egypt in a preliminary bout of One FC’s “Rise of Heroes” card at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Philippines. 

Julaton, a Filipino-American based in Daly City, California, says the transition from Boxing to MMA will be smooth because of her exposure to martial arts at a young age.

Smooth transition

“I’ve been a martial artist all my life,” says Julaton, whose beauty is exceeded only by the ferocious way she fights. “As a child, my Dad taught me Wing Chun and we would watch Sleeping Beauty and watch Bruce Lee in the same night,” she added.

She’s been a fixture on the women’s boxing scene since beginning her fight career in 2007, winning the WBA and WBO super bantamweight titles along the way. With a professional record of 13-4-1 (2 knockouts), Julaton is no stranger to adversity and welcomes a new challenge – this one inside a 9-foot, 6-ton steel cage.

 “Fighting has been a huge part of my life and although the transition to MMA has been physically tough, it’s a lot of fun,” said Julaton, who then proceeded to list down her wealth of experience in martial arts.

“I started Taekwondo (TKD) when I was 10 years old, won several awards, including gold medals in the Junior Olympics as a teenager. My Brother and I trained with top level TKD practitioners in Korea and it remains an amazing experience.  Shortly after, I began training in Kenpo Karate.  In that time, it was my Sensei who introduced me to boxing,” she recalls.

“I learned Jiu-Jitsu at a school owned by Jason Manly, near Berkeley College in California. Jason’s a trainer at the Reign Training Center in San Diego along with UFC Middleweight, Mark Munoz.”

Representing the Philippines

Although born and raised in San Francisco, Julaton traces her roots to Pangasinan, and will be competing on Philippine soil for the very first time.

“It’s an honor to represent my heritage,” Julaton speaks about bearing the Philippine flag. 

“With an opportunity to fight for ONE FC, a stage that reaches 1 billion viewers in Asia, it’s important for me to be humble and to continue getting better as a fighter. When I debut on May 2nd, in front of 20,000 ‘kababayans’, I must be focused.  There’s a lot on the line,” she added, seemingly unfazed by all the attention she has recieved since making her announcement.

And if you ask her, Julaton feels that pressure is a mere obstacle of one’s self.

“For those who have followed my career and have seen me fight under the most extreme conditions, winning my first world title against a legend in women’s boxing in just my 7th fight; traveling to Mexico and Canada to fight world title fights in my opponents’ hometown; fighting in front of 40,000 people in Argentina against an Argentinian; here’s what I have to say about ‘pressure’,” she emphasizes.

“Through the successes and struggles, suffice to say that pressure begins and ends with yourself.”

MMA debut

Julaton makes her debut against an experienced, five fight MMA veteran in Aya Saied Saber who won her last fight by rear naked choke in the very first round. With no amateur MMA experience, Julaton maintains confidence in her abilities.

“A career fighter who is active in the game doesn’t stop training. I never stopped being a martial artist,” Julaton reiterates.

Part of Julaton’s confidence stems from her warrior mentality, having been involved in all types of fight sports whilst training in Boxing. The rest, she attributes to having a good, strong MMA training team based in Las Vegas.

“My boxing coach, Angelo Reyes, who trained me in Kenpo Karate, is my striking coach. Chris Ben Tchavtsavatse (aka Chris Ben), a long-time trainer of Gina Carano, is my MMA coach. For Jiu Jitsu, Jason Manly has given me great work and guidance.  I work with awesome sparring partners with various fight backgrounds and have a versatile set up,” Julaton explains.

Even with her extensive exposure to multiple fight disciplines, boxing however, is still most definitely Julaton’s forte – which is why she has also decided to continue her Boxing career despite having a high-profile MMA career ready to catch fire.

“Victor Cui and the One FC has opened an unbelievable opportunity for me to build my MMA career, one that also allows me to continue my career in boxing,” said Julaton.

“On May 29, I have a title fight scheduled, promoted by Orion Sports Management,” she added. “Being fortunate to have two scheduled matches in the same month, I continue to improve my boxing while incorporating all the fighting arts I’ve learned during my MMA training every day.”

Not a lot of female fighters in Asia have the advanced striking skills Julaton brings to the table, which makes her debut definitely one to watch.

“I plan on being ready for my MMA debut,” says Julaton, about coming to battle well-prepared, although she does acknowledge the steep challenge a transition from Boxing to MMA poses.

“It will be tough and every day that passes, my team plans on making it tougher so that I will be ready for the fight,” added Julaton, who has long mulled a crossover.

“I am grateful to Victor Cui and my One FC family for making my wish come true.  I’m ecstatic about fighting in the Philippines, now my main focus is to make each day count until May 2nd.” – Rappler.com