American Top Team (ATT) has got a new, hot prospect in Muay Thai fighter Juli Firso.
Firso is Russian native who originally worked as a model and dancer. She recently talked to FloCombat and talked about her journey to becoming a fighter.
“I was in Thailand when someone suggested I go to thai boxing class to take pictures, but I wanted to give it a try,” Firso said. “I immediately fell in love with the training but never thought I would actually become a fighter. I eventually accepted my first fight and it was more of a casual thing. I didn’t know if I had the skills but I was game enough to try. And I got destroyed in that first fight.
“My face was destroyed in that fight. The fight took place three days after I accepted it and I had never sparred before. That result may have been enough to turn lesser people away, but character is very big with me. I knew everything would heal and it did, but proving you can get back up and come back stronger is the most important thing.”
Recently, Firso began training at ATT alongside UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Amanda Nunes, UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk, Yoel Romero, and Will Brooks.
“There is so much to learn and it’s all very exciting,” Firso said. “Right now I’m doing Muay Thai, kickboxing and BJJ, but I can definitely see MMA in my future. Two years ago I never imagined I’d have a career in fighting, but it’s become my passion and I’ve already come such a long way. My future is in fighting and wherever this journey takes me will be exciting.”
