This gives a whole new perspective to throwing elbows in corners.
My two favorite sports are Supercross/motocross and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Recently while watching Invicta FC fights, I noticed the tenth-ranked female Atomweight (105 lb.) fighter, Alyse Anderson, wearing shorts with ANSR sponsorship (she has recently switched to Seven gear). I was instantly curious how she is connected to the motocross industry and it turns out she is not only a top fighter but also a legit motocross rider. I’ve always thought MMA fighting and motocross racing have similar mindset and physical demands. To test my theory, I met up with Alyse as she prepared for her upcoming August 9th fight at Invicta FC 36.
Alyse is a gifted multi-sport athlete and while MMA fighting and motocross have similarities, competing in both is rare. She's an athlete who does whatever she puts her mind to, something her father instilled in her at a young age. Her father placed her into martial arts as a child and she grew to love the sport, but growing up in rural Michigan all her friends rode motocross. She begged her father for a bike and not long after she was racing and doing very well. Alyse still has love for motocross and just got a new YZ125 which she plans on riding after her upcoming fight. I'm curious how top athletes in other disciplines view our sport, and Alyse has an interesting perspective.
When I watch MMA, I compare prefight nerves to the feelings of being behind the gate before a race. I asked Alyse which one makes her more nervous? She explained that while the nerves are similar, walking to a cage where another competitor has specifically trained to hurt her is an entirely different mentality than racing. She feels nervous before a race, but the nerves are more of an internal battle. Her concern is purely with her own performance. Before a fight, her focus is shifted to her competition who has specifically trained as Alyse says, “To hurt me. Their goal is to inflict damage, knock me out,” in order to win the fight. If she doesn’t win a race it sucks but losing a fight can be hazardous to her health, so yeah, same nerves, but different mindset.
Training for MMA is surprisingly similar to motocross, both sports require strength and endurance while keeping muscle size to a minimum. It’s all about maximizing your power to weight ratio. Motocross training focuses a little more on endurance, but training for both sports is very similar. After a training camp Alyse can jump right on her bike and cardio isn’t an issue. MMA workouts are very beneficial for motocross and I am surprised more riders don’t crosstrain.
We had good discussion around the entertainment value of both sports, specifically how MMA’s marketing is more progressive with sharing athlete’s stories. MMA has fully embraced their sport’s personalities, both good and bad. Supercross and motocross have yet to embrace athletes personalities, instead focus is placed on atmosphere and general excitement of the sport. Alyse feels, “Supercross doesn’t go in depth with the rider’s struggles which affects their sponsor opportunities.” Not only are sponsorship opportunities missed, but opportunities for fans to truly connect with their favorite riders are missed. Alyse also says, “People want to see rider’s day to day life stuff, not just a hundred pictures of them jumping.” Both sports offer an excess of excitement, but MMA has monetized fighter’s journeys by embracing their struggles and successes of their athletes. If fighters who train to hurt each other can be transparent, why can’t the top stars in Supercross share their personalities and struggles?
Alyse is on the verge of becoming a breakout star and could bring a significant amount of attention to the sport of Supercross/motocross. If the rumors are true and the UFC implements a female Atomweight division, Alyse will be close to a UFC championship. Imagine if Ronda Rousey rode motocross, that’s the kind of attention she could bring to the sport. Follow Alyse @alyseandersen21 on Instagram.
Follow me @chriscooksey61 on Instagram and Twitter and @Cookseymedia on Facebook.
Chris Cooksey is life-long motocross enthusiast, racing professionally in arenacross, motocross and supermoto. Chris obtained his degree from Arizona State, majoring in business and communications. After college Chris immersed himself in the business and social media aspects of the industry. Chris enjoys sharing his opinions. Sit back and enjoy the view from his perspective.
Buckeyemoto
8/9/2019 8:17 AM
I've always been curious about this sort of thing. Motocross requires such a level of focus-not only on yourself, but on your bike as well, that there isn't much time/energy/interest for any other sport. I like hearing about moto guys talking about their passion for a college football team (ex.RC on Florida State), or any other sport that isn't moto for that matter. Makes them seem more normal/relatable to the general public I guess. This girl is badass, and would love to see how good she can be at moto with that mindset and base fitness level that she has from MMA. Best of luck to her!
B00tySweat33
8/6/2019 9:01 AM
105? I’m jealous. My favorite days of racing were definitely on superminis. Let’s get Mitch to build her a PC 105! I bet she’d rip!
tblazier
8/6/2019 7:55 AM
While I can respect their athletics I can not fathom the appeal of MMA. Just a bit too brutal
and barbaric for me.
Chris_Cooksey
8/6/2019 12:13 PM
Tony,
I have much respect for your opinion, but people say “why risk your life racing those stupid motorcycles” too. I happen to love both sports and respect athletes who put their life and limb on the line competing. To each their own, if they choose on their own free will to enter a cage fight or motorcycle race.... Good on them!
tblazier
8/10/2019 8:41 AM
Oh, I get it, Rock climbing, skydiving, and driving a car to work are all probably more dangerous. I was just commenting that I don't see the appeal in watching people brutally beat the crap out of each other for entertainment.
Pgd09yz450
8/6/2019 5:10 PM
Ya im with you, not lookin to get slugged in the head for fun
HusqFan3
8/7/2019 10:03 AM
I thought the same until i actually started to follow it. Now i consider it the purest sport on the planet and a safe one at that, especially relatively speaking. Not saying that’s not a fair natural reaction to the uninformed but the reality is, and admittedly paradoxically, it’s one of the safer sports.
How many UFC fighters have died during or shortly after a fight? Answer? 0. Compare that with Boxing, Formula One, NASCAR, Skiiing, Football etc.
Science has definitely proven it’s not the one punch knockout or quick devastating finish that kills people. And the UFC is for the most part really good at stopping a fight within a split second of a fighter demonstrating an inability to defend himself. What’s lethal in combat sports is the slow accumulation of punishment over a longer period of time. i.e. 12 round boxing match where unlike the UFC, it’s much more difficult to overwhelm an opponent/end a fight quickly.
Anyways, great read Cooksey. MMA and MX are 2 of my 3 fave sports(football being the other) so appreciated learning about a rare intersection of the 2.
Cheers!
ledger
8/6/2019 12:25 AM
Good read CC, and much respect to her.
Chris_Cooksey
8/6/2019 6:33 AM
Thanks, she is a good person and loves moto!
RoflCopter726
8/5/2019 10:29 PM
Is she the Alpha Dog?
theprizefighter
8/6/2019 12:03 AM
Ha ha ha
Chris_Cooksey
8/6/2019 6:32 AM
Very Alpha! Haha 😂 Sweet girl with skills to wreck people.