Did you ever consider getting out of it in the early years?
I know you may feel differently about it now, but in the being did like (maybe secretly) hurting people? No judging here.
Yes. I was on a TV documentary in around 1999/2000 and got some minor fame. I was given a UK #1 ranking and I felt kinda pressured to compete. I hated competing but loved fighting. What I mean by that is I hate having to do a job, to do a training camp, a weight cut, media, perform in front of a crowd, deal with online criticism etc. I love testing myself.
Not really enjoyed hurting people but certainly didn't have a problem with it. I fought to win but if that involved wrecking someone, oh well.
Aren't you still competing in ju jitsu?
Would you take an MMA fight?
Did you ever do steroids? Supplements? Do you use supplements now?
How bad does your body hurt now? Any lasting injuries?
Yes, I still compete in jiujitsu.
Not interested in fighting MMA anymore, because of the reasons noted above. And I'm 45 with a job and family.
I don't use any supplements. Occasionally a protein powder when I was weight cutting. I have a story about steroids
I competed in Hook n Shoot in the US for their featherweight title and I won. I went back to the changing room and a commissioner said to me, "Remedios, you gotta pee."
Me: "No, I'm fine thanks."
Commissioner: "No, you GOTTA pee." He sees me looking confused and asks if I've taken anything I shouldn't have.
Me: "Is caffeine banned? I took quite a lot to deal with jetlag."
Commissioner: "No, caffeine is fine."
Me (smiling): "Then no, I have nothing to hide
" and I pissed in his pot.
No serious injuries, I feel pretty great. I did hurt my back deadlifting and MRI shows my discs are pretty worn. If I stand too long my back starts to ache but that's about it. I know it sounds arrogant but I'm in great shape, year round six pack and I almost feel bad competing in the masters division against these old fucks.
Where did the 'bulldog' come from?
When I competed in Cage Rage, they were looking to get a video game sponsor and they need nicknames for their fighters that would translate into mascots. They made up Bulldog for me, fuck knows why. Ask Dave O'Donnell.