Some mixed martial arts practitioners rest between fights. Emily Peters-Kagan runs ultramarathons.
Kagan, the Bangor native competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship women’s strawweight division, is preparing to compete May 2 in the inaugural Cactus to Cloud Trail Run, a 50-kilometer trek from the Chihuahuan Desert to the mountain community of Cloudcroft, New Mexico.
The elevation gain from start to finish is about 10,000 feet.
“I really like to do my ultramarathons,” said Kagan, who made her debut at that distance in 2013. “I find that endurance running helps me develop and strengthen my brain to toughen me up, and vice versa.
“It’s a little contrary in terms of training techniques from mixed martial arts, but it’s really complementary in terms of what it does for the mind and endurance,” she said.
Kagan lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she trains at the highly regarded Jackson-Wink MMA gym, but spent time back in Maine recently visiting friends and helping several local aspiring mixed martial artists.
She worked the corner for several bouts at last Saturday’s NEF XVII show in Lewiston, including three involving fighters from her original training camp, Team Irish MMA Fitness Academy in Brewer.
“Being with my original MMA team and being able to sit next to Marcus Davis, my original coach, and see what he does and get his input and guidance, and also getting the chance to work with the women in the Bangor-Brewer area, it’s really something special,” she said.
“It’s been fun to not only share my knowledge and experience but my passion and enthusiasm for women to perform in this sport,” she said.
Among the women Kagan assisted was Brewer’s Randi Beth Knowles, who made a successful amateur debut with a three-round unanimous decision over Lancaster, New Hampshire’s Alex Walker that many cageside observers labeled the NEF XVII fight of the night.
“Some people weren’t sure if she was ready, but she really wanted it,” said Kagan. “I said, ‘You know what, it’s an amateur fight, and that’s what they’re here for, so I will do whatever I can to help you get ready but do your work, be safe, be smart and go in there and have fun. That’s what these amateur fights are all about, they’re learning experiences.’”
Kagan began her MMA training under Davis in 2006, and when “The Irish Hand Grenade” suggested she seek out noted trainer Greg Jackson in New Mexico, she moved across the country in 2009.
Kagan’s amateur debut came just three months after her arrival at Jackson’s MMA. She went on to compile a 5-2 amateur record before turning professional in September 2012.
Kagan scored a three-round unanimous decision over Lynae Lovato in her pro debut, then won a split decision over Glena Davis a month later before signing with the Invicta FC women’s MMA promotion.
She split her next two fights before UFC President Dana White purchased the contracts of Kagan and 10 other Invicta FC competitors in late 2013 with the idea of adding a 115-pound women’s division in the UFC.
The tournament to crown that strawweight champion was played out on the 20th season of “The Ultimate Fighter” television series aired last fall on Fox Sports 1.
In one of the first fights in the series, Kagan suffered a two-round majority decision loss to second-seeded Joanne Calderwood.
The 33-year-old Kagan then made her official UFC debut last Dec. 12 in Las Vegas, losing by unanimous decision to another TUF competitor, Angela Hill.
“Right now I’m just waiting for word on my next UFC fight,” said Kagan, “so in the meantime, I’m just taking the time to work on becoming a better fighter. I’m training when I’m out there [in New Mexico] several times every day just to keep my competitiveness level busy and active.”
And yes, there’s time left over for a little long-distance running, too.
