NO HOLDS BARRED

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman spoke with MMA fighter Destanie Yarbrough.

With a record of 1-0 in MMA and an impressive and varied athletic background in women's pro American football, track and field events, and other sports, she will be fighting Sunday, September 25, at the Rizin Fighting Federation event at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. International television and streaming availability will be announced soon.

Her Rizin debut will not be an easy one, as her opponent is multi-time jiu-jitsu and grappling champion and star, Gabi Garcia.

We spoke with Destanie Yarbrough by phone Thursday.

"To go against Gabi," she said, "I actually grew up watching her in jiu-jitsu, so it's kind of like an honor to go against her. But at the same time, she's my opponent, so I have to look at her differently. But being the underdog coming into this fight, people not knowing who I am or my background, is kind of a thriller to me because I like to prove people wrong."

She added, "I just can't wait to shock the MMA world, I should say. But this fight, it's a great honor."

We discussed more on her athletic background and training in combat sports, how she has retired from pro football and now feels physically and mentally ready to pursue a career in MMA, why she feels confident going into this fight, how she will try to keep this fight with Gabi Garcia standing, how she wants to become one of the best in MMA and re-establish competition in the women's heavyweight division, how this will be her first trip to Japan, and much, much more.

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Labels: Destanie Yarbrough, Eddie Goldman, football, Gabi Garcia, Japan, MMA, No Holds Barred, Rizin Fighting Federation, women