Giulia Comini interview · ข่าว Ireland

Ireland

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Okay, so I'm here with Julia Kamini. She's going to be fighting this weekend at Royal Rumble Fighting Championship. It's going to be the final of a tournament. She's going to be fighting Rachel. H she's defeated Vicki who has actually beaten Rachel recently for a title to get here as well. So, um thank you very much for joining me, especially this close to the fight. Um how are you feeling? How's Fight Week treating you? Thank you very much for joining me. I appreciate your time. >> No, thanks for having me for this interview. is the first time I'm doing a f um before fight interviews. It's exciting. Um I feel good for this fight week. Um I can't believe that like it came came along so quickly. But uh yeah, really exciting. It's Tuesday. I don't have to cut weight. Just doing like a little bit of training left this week, but like I did my last hard training on Saturday and Sunday last week. So just really excited. Can't wait for Saturday. >> Yeah. No, 100%. And and obviously there's been a few things. The venue's been moved. The lads have sorted all that sort of stuff out. There seems to be always something in in Irish combat sports that comes out of left field. But you you fought Vicki previously to to get here. Talk to us about that fight and the feeling of of winning that fight to then knowing you'd be going on to the final this weekend. >> Yeah. So that was um at the beginning of March and the fight was announced. I think it was like mid December or something like that and I was actually home in Italy enjoying Christmas eating loads not training and so then I came back and I started the fight camp and the first sparring session like I was gassed like so soon. So then I was like right I need to I need to cop on and start training seriously. So then for like four or five weeks, yeah, I was training a lot like twice a day. Uh not every day, but like very regularly. And then the fight I didn't really know how it was going to go. Like I didn't have an idea going in because do you know like Vicki already had an Irish title and she had more experience than me and I've seen her videos on YouTube and she looks like obviously really good and powerful and I felt that as well on my face [laughter] on the fight day. But um then yeah, I just I just started like straight away Superman punch. I was like, "Right, I need to get this anxiety out of me. Just need to punch my way through." And then I just I feel like I just went forward a lot for the whole fight. Maybe the first round. I remember I started strong, but then she kind of like rocked me with like one of her right over hands. And then so the first round was a bit like maybe I did good the first half, she did good the second half. Um, but that didn't I didn't let that like uh bring me down or anything. I just kept going and so at the end I couldn't believe it. I was so happy. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. No, 100. And do you think cuz you said one or two things there before before the fight obviously you'd seen her. You'd watch the YouTube videos. Did you think that kind of might have not psyched you out going into the fight, but do you think you put more pressure on yourself by looking into her videos too much or or kind of knowing her pedigree before? because obviously on the night you were the better fighter, you were the better person. Do you think that put seeds of doubt in your head that didn't need to be there and once you got into the fight and started throwing your punches that you felt more comfortable and at home and you should be in the in the ring with her? >> Yeah, definitely. I think so. But I I just overthink like I need to stalk people and stalk their fights and [laughter] just like find out everything that I possibly can. So yeah, that was going to happen anyways. Um, but yeah, no, definitely seeing that like she fought for titles before, she had a title already and I like I haven't even had the possibility to fight for a title yet. So, I was like, "Oh, maybe this is a bit this is a bit much, but we'll try anyways." >> And how do you feel like emotionally actually going in and fighting against Rachel for this title this weekend? Cuz it is a big deal like that Vicky and Rachel are they fought each other recently. Vicki came out on top. They're two of the kind of main girls. If you were to defeat the two of them and win a title, how would that make you feel as an as a fighter to defeat those two girls cuz they're held in such high regard within within the sport? >> It would be Yeah, it would be kind of crazy a bit because I don't I consider myself a underdog. Like as in I don't think I have as much hype as they get or like as much, you know, like coverage on like Instagram or like other social media platforms, whatever. So, I don't know. I think it would be it would be a way to like prove myself that I don't necessarily need to be hyped about everyone like talking about me or anything like that. That I can be good even without like all of that around me. if it makes sense. >> Yeah. No, 100% it does. It does. But but to get to kind of where you are right now and fighting this weekend, take us back to the start of your combat sports journey. What got you into combat sports? Um cuz right now there's a real movement with a lot of females getting in. Mel's had that show. Ne's had the show down south. There's another show going to be running in March, I believe, which is Catherine McFaden. There's a real movement now for females in combat sports. But was it like that when you got in? And what made you join uh combat sports and why K1? >> I only started like two and a half years ago with the college club at the University of Gway. So one of one of my colleague was going so we worked together and he was going and liked it and then he was just like I think you'd like it just just try and come along. And so I went and at when we started there was no coach there was just like two other students kind of like teaching the class. We were sparring with no mouthpiece, no shing guard, no head guard, nothing. It was complete chaos. Um, but that was like I just found it so fun from like straight away just punching and kicking things was amazing. And then a couple of months after we got a coach and that's um Whitney Shepard. So she's my coach at the University of Gway. And then obviously she trains in Black Dragon with Pete Foley and then she was like, "Oh, I think you should come and like try and inspire more experienced people." And so then I started going to Black Dragon and then Pete like he does his own um shows in Gway about like twice a year. So then he was like would you like to fight on the show like uh nearly two years ago and I was like yeah of course and then I I just really really enjoyed it. And then after that he was going to Italy for the world championship like only maybe a month after my first fight. And I was I was going to be in Italy at that point just to visit the family. And I was like oh I come support and he was like are you sure you don't just want to like try and fight? And that was amazing. Like I had in three days I had seven fights and I won six of them. It was unreal. But like my legs were like bruised everywhere. I was like battered by the end of it but I loved it. And so then like I kept I just kept like fighting and yeah taking fights and stuff. >> How many fights? Six fights in how many days or >> in three days? Seven fights. >> Wow. Wow. And and going from and previously you had just had the one fight before on his show. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> That's that's mental. Fair play because >> thrown in the deep end. >> Yeah. Sinker swimming. Obviously, obviously you're swimming pretty well because of where you're you're standing today. H obviously going into the fight with Rachel, but you were over visiting your family in Italy and then all of a sudden seven fights in three days. That's how how do you even prepare mentally for that or do you just go in and do it? >> No, I feel like the tournament style like that like it's actually amazing. I love it that you just you just get in the ring fight. So I don't have time to overthink. I don't have time to stalk anyone. I just get in, fight, and then win or lose, you can't like just stay there and like be sad or like be sad about yourself, whatever. Like, you just have to just stay switched on because you might be called in again. Like, it's hectic. So, it's like it's hectic, but then when you're in the ring, it's actually quiet. Like, it's just you and your mind and like the fight. So, it's actually really nice. >> It's kind of like a therapy sort of a session. Kind of go in there, clear your mind. Well, it's it's it's a good way uh for therapy because there's a lot of people out there that choose combat sports to to keep their mind right. And one of the misconceptions is if you go to a K1 gym or jiu-jitsu gym or MMA gym, you have to compete. That isn't the case. There's a lot of people who go just for for a hobby. Um did you once like you said you done it in college you found it quite fun then when you went on the black did were you ever thinking you were going to compete or were you doing this as just kind of hobby at the start or did you have that itch to want to compete so obviously Pete asked you to to go on a show and that's how it unfolded but were you thinking about competing before that? >> Yeah. Like when I found out that I liked it and I was enjoying it a lot. I was like yeah I'd like to have a fight and see what it's like. I I think I'm really competitive. Like I wouldn't like to do a sport where there's no like winner or loser at the end of the day. Like before um kickboxing I was doing volleyball my whole life and like I loved the games and like the competitiveness of it. So I just need something that like yeah you have a game at the end or a fight or something that you can like you can use to prove yourself or to like try out what you've been training for and this kind of stuff. >> So yeah. So with with going into your first fight, I just want to take for so for some people who might be coming up to up to their first fight in K1 or or whatever the discipline may be. What were your nerves and stuff like because uh leading up to because you hadn't you obviously you competed in volleyball but fighting is is is a a lot different. You're not getting well you could get hit in the face with the ball but not repeatedly over and over again. Um what were the nerves like kind of leading up to that? How did you handle them? Do you think you handed them well at the time or do you look back and and go okay I've you've as a person and as a fighter you've matured so you know how like what was the first time you were stepping into the ring like what was that like mentally uh kind of going in and emotionally the week week of it >> I think I was probably uh doing doing it better with the nerves like that time because I didn't really know what I was getting myself into. I was just like oh sure I'm just doing for the crack. Let's see what happens. Why? Like now I know what it means to like actually get in the ring and like that you can get hurt and like yeah get punched and kicked whatever. So um yeah I was nervous but not not too much. And also because it was Pete's show like a lot of people from our gym would have been fighting on that. So like in fight camp I wasn't alone. There was maybe like 15 16 or 17 of us. So like everyone was kind of like giving me advice for like the weight cut or how I should have like been training and this or like the atmosphere in the gym was great. So I think that actually really helped a lot that it was a home show the first time that I had a fight. >> Yeah. No, and like that I think because you had so many people in camp and like you said, ignorance is bliss. You didn't know exactly what you were going into. It's like when kids go and do stuff and they don't realize the dangers of it. Not saying you're a kid now, but you know what I mean. like don't do stuff cuz they don't you you don't know the consequences of what will happen. I think that is kind of the better way. Like you said, now you realize you can get hurt. You're in there with killers like with the likes of Rachel and Vicki and you're a killer yourself. But it's it's been like that two and a half years for you to to arrive here at this stage is is very very good and I'm very very impressed with your rise in and especially how you're coming across. Obviously, Rachel is the main focus this weekend. That is the be all and end all. But what I've noticed with K1 is that PE people have a lot of fights in advance. Do you have anything past Rachel or are you just like focusing on Rachel? Is this the only fight you've booked for the minute? >> Uh yeah, I mean not only this one because then with Crazy there's probably going to be a bit of a break and then the next fight will be well the next one that will probably be confirmed is going to be in March. Pete is doing a home show for the 30th anniversary of the gym. So, I hope I'll get like a match for that. He's looking anyways. So, I don't know in the middle if something will come up. Yeah, why not? But, uh there's nothing for now. >> Yeah. No, 100%. And like that for a 30th anniversary show, I'm pretty sure he's going to have you on it. It'll be back to where you started, back on the home show, back with back with everyone. Do you have many people fighting on this Rumble card from your own gym? >> Um, no. It's just me. >> And contrast that to like like you said obviously the first time you didn't know much but how hard or easy or or what way do you manage it leading up because a lot of fighters will say and this is just them that like like you said when there's loads of people getting ready the atmosphere and stuff like that but when it's your turn I I would presume they're still helping you. They're still there. They're still the buzz but not the exact same buzz. What's it like kind of I don't want to say doing it alone but being the solo fighter on the show? Um, I don't mind. [laughter] It's kind of [gasps] like it doesn't really make a difference. Uh, because people like thankfully in the gym they're still coming sparring and like I feel like sometimes the sparring sessions might get a bit quieter if there's no like home show um coming up, but like thankfully they like they've been coming and they've been helping me. And so yeah, that's been nice. And then uh my boyfriend Corey, he also like helps me a lot. like we would like meet up and like do pads together, spar with Yeah, we beat up each other a lot. [laughter] >> Well, that's the way to successful relationship and fight career, I believe. So, everyone keeps telling me. But, um, yeah, no, it's I won't be there cuz I'm actually doing a commentary on an MMA show and I've I've reached out to Tig and I think I will be coming to a future Rumble one. So, I won't be able to see you this weekend. I will be keeping an eye out for it though. I want to [snorts] thank you very much for your time today, especially so close to the fight. I want to wish you the best of luck this weekend. Is there anything you want to say before you go or anyone you want to shout out and like I said, I really appreciate your time so close to the fight. >> No, thank you so much for asking me for this interview. And no, just thank you to my coach, my teammates, and my teammates that are going to come to the to the fight. I really appreciate it so much. >> Perfect. You're an inspiration to a lot of females out there. I'd say you don't know it yet, but someone will say they've joined K1 because of you at some stage. So, keep that in mind cuz that's going to be a whole another emotion you're going to have to face. But, best of luck to yourself and the gym for this show this weekend. Like I said, I'll be keeping an eye on it and uh I will talk to you after the fight. >> Thank you so much. Bye.