By Dane McGuire, IMMAF U.S. Correspondent
In the time it has taken to generate the opening lines of this article, LaNeisha “She-Hulk” Vinson of the United States became a world champion. It took just 49 seconds for Vinson to cement her place in MMA history, just three years into her career.
In a tournament that grows bigger annually, both in terms of number of competitors and in level of skill, the native of South Carolina didn’t just represent her country, but her country’s last hope. After just two days of competition, she was the last remaining U.S. representative, competing in the senior women’s bantamweight division of the week-long championships event.
Since the inaugural IMMAF Word Championships in 2014, the USA has never failed to win a gold medal.
Vinson was asked during an UMMAF Q&A on Facebook, ahead of the finals, “How do you feel being the last [wo]man standing?”
She replied, “It feels good, but all of my fellow teammates did a tremendous job this week and still are helping myself and anyone who needs help. Surprisingly, they have pretty good coaching skills as well. Over this time, I’ve grown to appreciate them, and we became more like family this week. Hopefully we all keep in touch.”
As if her own desire to win gold wasn’t enough (“She-Hulk” took a year off to solely focus on preparing for the world championships, according to UMMAF head coach Robert Hulett,) she is also a mother of two.
“I have two beautiful daughters who keep me going to better myself and life for them. I have a husband whom is my high school sweetheart.”
It might be back to business as usual as Vinson looks for her next fight. However, with her dominant finish of Romania’s Daniela Mihaela Bulgaru in the finals on November 17, Vinson accomplished:
- Becoming the USA’s first IMMAF-WMMAA unified world champion in any weight class
- Becoming the USA’s first female world champion in any weight class (including prior to the IMMAF-WMMAA merger)
- The record for most KO/TKO wins (4) by a gold medalist in a world championships
UMMAF’s Southeast Regional Director Justin Brown, also of South Carolina, commented, “Words can’t describe the feeling I have knowing the small rural state of South Carolina has continued to excel on the largest and toughest global MMA stage, backed by the UFC!
“Over the last two years, South Carolina has produced three IMMAF gold medalists and two IMMAF amateur world champions (first Hannah “The Rock” Scoggins, who won gold at the Asian Open Championship in 2017. Next up was Quitin Thomas who won gold at the World Championships later that year.)
“What state is going to be the next dominant force to represent the USA on the largest international stage? Step one is to compete at the UMMAF amateur national championship tournament. That will secure your spot on the U.S. national team for 2019.”
The 2019 UMMAF National Championships takes place from February 28 to March 2 at Kewadin Casinos in St. Ignace, Michigan. UMMAF’s youth development affiliate, the United State Fight League (USFL) will also be featured.
In addition, the World Trials/National Championship to determine the U.S. youth national team (ages 12-17) will take place June 19-20, 2019 in Ontario, California. Winners will be eligible for the first-ever IMMAF-WMMAA Cadet World Championships to be held from August 3-4, 2019 in Rome, Italy.
The USFL are currently raising money to cover travel expenses for cadet competitors selected to represent the nation on the global platform. You can donate via the fundraiser page HERE.
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