Phillips fulfilled a personal goal as she professionally demonstrated her mixed martial arts skills at the Extreme Cage Combat 23 in Halifax on Sept. 19.
Not only was it a first for the MMA enthusiast, but it was also the first time a female competed from the Island.
“It’s a dream that I’ve had. It’s an incredible thing to do. You’re locked in a cage with another person, and battle it out.”
Phillips said she has to work extra hard to stay in the required shape at 45 years old.
She and Rachel Wise kicked off the night, doing three three-minute rounds. Losing in a decision didn’t take away from the experience, she added.
“For them to recognize us as co-fight of the night in that big of a fight is huge. We’re 130 pounds and the lightest ones to fight. It was a bang-up fight the crowd loved, and we proved there’s a spot for female MMA.”
She urges other women to get involved if interested.
“If you set your mind to something, you can do it. I know there are other women out there who want to. You have to find a gym that will actually take you seriously. I have that in Island Impact with Richard Arsenault.”
Before beginning Jiu Jitsu training with Arsenault a year ago, she had a background in kickboxing and Muay Thai fighting techniques.
“For someone to take a 45-year-old female and give me a chance is something. They saw my dedication and commitment, and were behind me the whole way.”
She said the training takes a lot out of someone, and she’s lucky to have the support of her sons, Connor and Christian, and her partner, Shawn McCarthy.
“I’m a professional social worker for the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of P.E.I. On top of working 50 hours a week, you have to train another 20 hours. The people in your immediate life make a sacrifice for you to get there.”
McCarthy, Arsenault, and one of her sons were in her corner the night of the fight.
“Walking in there was the most amazing feeling in the world. You have your walk-in song, you have your team behind you, they open that cage door and there’s nothing like it. It’s the classic one on one. You’re in there and that’s it.”
Phillips said her team at the gym is like another family, with trust being the backbone because one could get seriously injured in the sport.
Her first MMA fight was a long time coming as previous competitions were cancelled. She doesn’t know how many times she’ll be back in the cage, but she won’t rule any fights out.
“It’s an intense situation. The crowd is all around you and you can hear them screaming when you land a punch. It was a dream come true.”
Arsenault said he was impressed with her performance that night.
“They rocked each other quite a few times, hit each other with some hard shots, and they both kept coming forward.”
Having competed for nine years, he enjoys the training process as people build skills and confidence.
“I’ve always wanted to have a girl come off our team and fight because anybody can do it. They just need to put their heart into it.”
He plans to hang a picture of Phillips in the gym.
“She’s a great inspiration to the girls coming out of our club.”