Biography

Roxanne Modafferi was born on September 24th, 1982, in Wilmington, Delaware. As a child, she loved sports and always worked very hard at school. As a young adult, she discovered her love of the Japanese language and culture, at the same time practicing martial arts such as Tae Kwon Do, followed by Kempo, Judo, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, and finally Mixed Martial Arts. She majored in Japanese Language and Literature, with a minor in Linguistics at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. When she wasn't studying, she was training hard under Kirik Jenness and Dave Roy at New England Submission Fighting based in the Amherst Athletic club.

"When I saw my first UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) as an 18 year old, I thought, 'Wow, that's so violent. I could never do that!'" Roxanne laughed. Now, she holds a professional MMA record of 8 wins and 4 losses. She's also an accomplished grappler and has competed in the Abu Dhabi Grappling tournament in 2005.

"Everyone always asks me why I fight," Roxanne says. "I used to try to think of some philosophical answer, but it's really just fun! It's also the ultimate challenge for your strength, technique, and your heart. You really meet yourself for the first time on your journey into the ring or cage."

Roxanne also loves to write, and has had reports and articles printed in Bodyguard, and Full Contact Fighter. She also writes a periodic column in www.boutreviewusa.com. She is currently writing an autobiography about her life as a junior exchange student at the International Christian University in Japan. One of her goals is to publish that book, finish a fantasy novel many years in the making, and translate Japanese literature into English. Translating in the MMA world is also something she enjoys periodically, and has helped English promotions interview Japanese fighters, and vice versa.

Currently, she proudly trains at Wajitsu Keishukai, and teaches English full time at a reputable language school in the Kanagawa prefecture.

"The Keishukai guys welcomed me into their group," Roxanne said. "My boss is great and my coworkers are my friends. I really feel like I belong."