Karina Hallinan: Interview

Karina Hallinan is a 26-year-old professional MMA fighter who was born and raised in Riverside, California. Growing up Karina was very athletic. She played Soccer, Basketball, Softball and was even a Cheerleader in high school.

I asked Karina why she decided to become a fighter and she replied, "I went to a King of The Cage event and I was so impressed by the fights that I decided that I wanted to be a fighter, so the next day I opened up the phonebook and looked for a nearby gym." Soon after joining a gym Karina began her amateur career, as an amateur Karina compiled a (3-1-0) record.

Karina up until recently trained at Team Quest in Temecula, with Fernando Gonzalez where she spent three and a half years but she has recently moved to Jackson's MMA in Albuquerque, New Mexico where she has joined her fellow cast mates from The Ultimate Women Challenge Julie Kedzie and Heather Clark.

Karina is 5'6 and her walk around weight is 128-pounds. She fought at 115-pounds in her most recent fight against Yang Xiao Nan whom she defeated by rear-naked choke.

Her processional MMA record is (3-2-0). Her victories have come against Melissa Steele Heather Clark and Yang Xio Nan. Many people believe that Karina's first fight, which was a loss to Zoila Frausto should have actually been won by Karina. Her only other loss was against Carla Esparza.

Karina also spent some time on the Ultimate Women Challenge, reality T.V. show that will be out soon. During her time on the show Karina competed in the 125-pound division, before leaving the show early to fight Yang Xio Nan in Singapore.

Karina has a busy month coming up on Saturday she will be facing Marissa Caldwell (2-2-0) at XFC 12 "Mayham" in Kyrenia, Northern Cyprus. It will have been about three weeks since her last fight, not to mention she most likely fought once before leaving the reality show. Then on October 30, at ECSC: "Evolution 1" Karina will take on Kelly Warren (1-0-0). It is very possible that Karina could be fighting four times in a 50-day period.

When I asked Karina what her goals in MMA were she replied, "I just want to be the best fighter I can be. "
Karina would like to thank her sponsors:

Tussle Fight Gear
Dom Fight Gear
Submit or Sleep Gear

You can contact Karina at:

Facebook.com/KarinaHallinan

grasshopperpig@yahoo.com