European lightweight mixed martial arts champion according to ISKA, world kickboxing champion according to WKA and ISKA, European kickboxing and Thai boxing champion according to ISKA, world professional kickboxing champion according to WKF, Muay Thai world champion Thai according to the most prestigious version of WBC muaythai in the weight category up to 115 pounds and WMC-D1 in the weight category of 54 kg, a Bellator fighter, and also just a beautiful girl - all this is our compatriot Elena Ovchinnikova.
Today, Elena is a sought-after fighter who receives many offers from various promotions in the world. However, this was not always the case - the Ukrainian woman began her journey without support behind her shoulders, facing numerous obstacles.
She told about this and much more in an interview with the publication "ElitExpert".
What motivated you to practice martial arts?
At the time when I started, action movies were very fashionable. These were great films, and when I watched them, I also wanted to master martial arts, only not in the cinema, but in real life. True, over time there was a desire to be related to cinematography as well, and now there is already a corresponding proposal.
What offer?
There is a director in Ukraine, Akhtem Seytablaev, who directed the film "Cyborgs". He offered to star in his next film. Plus there is experience shooting in clips. They offered to act in Bollywood, but the day before I cut my hair, and it turned out to be a disaster for them. There are also negotiations about filming in the USA.
When you started, was there a role model you looked up to? Perhaps there was a style you wanted to work in?
I always had my own style, which had to be changed due to injuries. For example, I now have a steel plate in my right hand, and for the last 5 years I have been performing as a lefty. The Klitschko brothers have always been an example for me. When I was just starting out, everyone told me to box. I said that I wanted to be the world champion, but they assured me that it was impossible in Ukraine. And I always cited Klitschko as an example. As a result, I managed to prove that it is possible.
In the post-Soviet space, women's fights are still conservatively treated. Have you faced problems on this ground before?
There are no problems with this now, but when I first started, women's fights were not popular. I went from club to club, knocking on all the doors. Then they told me: "Yes, you are a good boxer, go hit a bag at the end of the hall, but we are unlikely to take you to the competition and put you in a pair." Much later, when I achieved certain successes, the same people called me and offered to return.
Later, there was a case when world stars in this sport gathered in Kyiv for a boxing conference, and Klitschko awarded many of them. When it was my turn, he spoke about me in English, and I said that I was Ukrainian. He was surprised, praised, and then said that he was against women's boxing. It was unexpected when one of your idols said something like that.
How did you switch to MMA?
I practiced kickboxing for two years, entered a sports college specializing in judo. And since I had experience, both in standing and on the floor, I was offered to participate in mixed martial arts. The first professional fights were in MMA, and only then did Thai boxing appear and the first professional K-1 kickboxing fights began.
How did you start cooperation with Bellator? Did you come out on them or did they come out on you?
At first, we were contacted by the UFC, but we refused, as there was an uninteresting contract, a small amount. Plus, I don't like the UFC because they treat athletes badly there. They are "meat" there, which they adjust for their fighters. In fact, at the same time, my American manager contacted Bellator. They offered an exclusive contract, allowed to box in other organizations in other sports. And in the UFC, you should only be with them, holding the minimum number of fights.
Earlier you said that you received offers from Ukrainian promotions, but they were financially unsustainable. Does this mean that everything is bad in Ukraine with MMA and kickboxing?
Actually yes. They offer very small amounts and do not value famous fighters who deserve more. We have many talented athletes, but the Ukrainian ones are not promoted to the proper level. There is money in Ukraine, but they are not interested in spending it on it. And since our athletes are "hungry for money", they agree to box for 100-200 dollars, or even for 1000 UAH. Much more is required for sports nutrition, recovery and, even more so, for healing an injury.
What are your plans for the future?
Before the quarantine, I had to train in an Irish club where Connor McGregor trains. The offer is strong, but if everything fails, I will go to the USA, where I will still prepare for a fight in Bellator. In addition, I want to open my own sports club in Ukraine, again, star in movies, and open my own clothing line.
