IFL possibly adding women
Purcell has spent years looking for willing opponents, but she hopes one of the major organizations she's dealt with will make life easier for her. The 135-pound fighter has worked with the league for a while, and they are looking to put together a fight for her.

“I’ve been working for them as a coach and I’ve been trying ever since the first day to convince them to put me on a show,” said Purcell. “Honestly, every fight I’ve ever got was from me pressuring a promoter to put me on.”

Now the MMA veteran is hoping for the chance to show off her years of accumulating fighting skills.

“You really never stop learning,” she says.

MMA female TV reality
Also, Purcell has been picked to participate in a reality show featuring female MMA participants from around the world. Eleven other women will compete on the program for a $100,000 prize.

“It’s in pre-production now,” said Purcell, adding that St. John will be doing commentary for the reality program.

When it rains it pours.

Purcell is ecstatic about the new opportunities for women. Not long ago the spunky fighter was forced to take fights against taller, heavier and more experienced opponents with little monetary compensation.

“One time I fought a girl who was 190 pounds and freakin nine-feet tall,” Purcell laughs. “You take the fight or you don’t fight at all.”

Those were the days.

Many observers foresee women taking a bigger role in the sport in quick fashion.

“The field is wide open,” said Shaw, who sent scouts to the recent all-female fight card looking for participants for his upcoming MMA shows. “The girls need to be exciting and have real skills and personality. The world is open to them to be seen on Showtime and CBS.”

Purcell, who was the first woman to win a fight in King of the Cage, prays that those chosen to fight before a television audience, represent the best her gender can offer.

“A lot of women don’t understand the struggle it’s been for some of the women before them,” Purcell said. “A lot of women fought because they love the sport. There was no TV money.”

Of course there will always be critics of females fighting in a cage. But it was the same for men in the beginning.

“Just because someone is 120 pounds doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be in the sport,” said Shaw. “And just because someone is born a woman shouldn’t exclude them from the world of martial arts.”

Fights coming up
Friday April 11 – YAMMA Pit fighting at Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City. The event is available on pay-per-view television. For more information (609) 449-1000.

Sat. April 12 – CXF at Upland Sports Arena in Upland, California. (949) 981-1432.

Sun. April 13 – Fists Series at Irvine Marriott Hotel in Irvine, California. (949) 760-3131.

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