The face of women's Muay Thai in North America, Tiffany Van Soest, will be back in action on July 26th at Lion Fight 10 in Las Vegas. Van Soest will be taking on Lucy Payne for the Lion Fight women’s world featherweight title. There has been some back and forth talk between both fighters’ camps, which has added to this already interesting fight.
Tiffany was kind enough to take some time out of her training to answer questions for Muay Thai Authority about the upcoming bout with Lucy.
MTA: You have a big fight coming up against Lucy Payne at Lion Fight 10. How has training been going?
Tiffany: It has been going very well so far! I have a great team around me and I feel like I will be the best I’ve ever been for this fight.
MTA: There was some back and forth talking between your camp and hers before this fight. What lead to that?
Tiffany: When it came to sign contracts at the end of last year before the Lion Fight in January, there were a few names that had been mentioned when scheduling my opponent. It just so happened that Alexis Rufus ended up as my opponent for that one. My coach decides who I fight and when. There's a list of potential opponents and I plan to fight everyone on it. I think Lucy's camp was just upset they didn't get the fight when they asked for it. Boo hoo. They have the fight now. Ask and you shall receive. I don't care how tall she is. The majority of my training partners are all taller than me. I'm almost always the shorter fighter in my fights. This is no different.
MTA: After your fight against Alexis Rufus you called Lucy out. Was that a direct response to them saying you were ducking her?
Tiffany: Absolutely. If I really was ducking the fight I sure as hell wouldn't have done that. Especially not live on national television for 40 million people to see.
MTA: What do you think about Lucy as a fighter, any strengths and weaknesses you see?
Tiffany: Lucy is good. There's no doubt about that. She keeps a good pace and wears her opponents down. Every one has weaknesses and I plan on exposing hers.
MTA: Have you been studying tape on Lucy's fights, and how big of a role does that play into your preparation?
Tiffany: I haven't watched too much tape on Lucy. I've seen all that I need to see. My coach does all the studying. My job is to learn the game plan so that I execute it to perfection.
MTA: You will be fighting in Vegas where the crowd always supports you. Does the crowd support have any type of affect come fight night, maybe giving you a little bit of an edge?
Tiffany: It's always nice to have the crowd's support but during the fight I typically don't really hear much other than my corner and the leather landing. Walking out to an electric environment on my way to the ring always pumps me up though!
MTA: You always seem to bring some new and dynamic move to each fight, typically something we have not seen from you before. What do you have in store for use this time or is it top secret?
Tiffany: It's no secret that I like to mix it up. But yeah, you'll all just have to watch and see!
MTA: Can we get a prediction for your fight with Lucy?
Tiffany: My hand raised and the belt around my waist.
MTA: You are the face of North American Womne's Muay Thai, but the fact is that you could probably be a huge star in MMA where there is more exposure. Are we going to see you start making a transition to MMA soon?
Tiffany: I'll let you know after this fight. As far as everything else is concerned right now, nothing exists beyond this bout July 26th.
MTA: Any words for your supporters?
Tiffany: First of off I'd like to say Thank You to Lion Fight Promotions for the opportunity to do what I what I love. Scott and Christine run a great promotion and to be able to fight for the first Women's title is an honor. THANK YOU!!!! From the bottom of my heart. Mom, Dad, Oma, my family, my friends. I love you! Kru Alex, my Black House Team Nogueira family, Black House L.A., Can't Stop Crazy, KSOS systems, FLO, Anderson Silva's Muay Thai College, Trebla Sports, my nutritionist Eric Triliegi, and of course the FANS! I couldn't do this to the best of my ability without any of you. The support means the world to me. I'd also like to dedicate this fight in memory of my teammate Jackie Price Dunn and to anyone who is fighting or has fought a battle with cancer.
Tiffany was kind enough to take some time out of her training to answer questions for Muay Thai Authority about the upcoming bout with Lucy.
MTA: You have a big fight coming up against Lucy Payne at Lion Fight 10. How has training been going?
Tiffany: It has been going very well so far! I have a great team around me and I feel like I will be the best I’ve ever been for this fight.
MTA: There was some back and forth talking between your camp and hers before this fight. What lead to that?
Tiffany: When it came to sign contracts at the end of last year before the Lion Fight in January, there were a few names that had been mentioned when scheduling my opponent. It just so happened that Alexis Rufus ended up as my opponent for that one. My coach decides who I fight and when. There's a list of potential opponents and I plan to fight everyone on it. I think Lucy's camp was just upset they didn't get the fight when they asked for it. Boo hoo. They have the fight now. Ask and you shall receive. I don't care how tall she is. The majority of my training partners are all taller than me. I'm almost always the shorter fighter in my fights. This is no different.
MTA: After your fight against Alexis Rufus you called Lucy out. Was that a direct response to them saying you were ducking her?
Tiffany: Absolutely. If I really was ducking the fight I sure as hell wouldn't have done that. Especially not live on national television for 40 million people to see.
MTA: What do you think about Lucy as a fighter, any strengths and weaknesses you see?
Tiffany: Lucy is good. There's no doubt about that. She keeps a good pace and wears her opponents down. Every one has weaknesses and I plan on exposing hers.
MTA: Have you been studying tape on Lucy's fights, and how big of a role does that play into your preparation?
Tiffany: I haven't watched too much tape on Lucy. I've seen all that I need to see. My coach does all the studying. My job is to learn the game plan so that I execute it to perfection.
MTA: You will be fighting in Vegas where the crowd always supports you. Does the crowd support have any type of affect come fight night, maybe giving you a little bit of an edge?
Tiffany: It's always nice to have the crowd's support but during the fight I typically don't really hear much other than my corner and the leather landing. Walking out to an electric environment on my way to the ring always pumps me up though!
MTA: You always seem to bring some new and dynamic move to each fight, typically something we have not seen from you before. What do you have in store for use this time or is it top secret?
Tiffany: It's no secret that I like to mix it up. But yeah, you'll all just have to watch and see!
MTA: Can we get a prediction for your fight with Lucy?
Tiffany: My hand raised and the belt around my waist.
MTA: You are the face of North American Womne's Muay Thai, but the fact is that you could probably be a huge star in MMA where there is more exposure. Are we going to see you start making a transition to MMA soon?
Tiffany: I'll let you know after this fight. As far as everything else is concerned right now, nothing exists beyond this bout July 26th.
MTA: Any words for your supporters?
Tiffany: First of off I'd like to say Thank You to Lion Fight Promotions for the opportunity to do what I what I love. Scott and Christine run a great promotion and to be able to fight for the first Women's title is an honor. THANK YOU!!!! From the bottom of my heart. Mom, Dad, Oma, my family, my friends. I love you! Kru Alex, my Black House Team Nogueira family, Black House L.A., Can't Stop Crazy, KSOS systems, FLO, Anderson Silva's Muay Thai College, Trebla Sports, my nutritionist Eric Triliegi, and of course the FANS! I couldn't do this to the best of my ability without any of you. The support means the world to me. I'd also like to dedicate this fight in memory of my teammate Jackie Price Dunn and to anyone who is fighting or has fought a battle with cancer.
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