Erin Toughill Between The Ropes Interview

Courtesy of Adam Samons:

Between The Ropes
Tuesday, June 17th, 2008
ESPN Florida AM 1080 and AM 1060
Simulcast online at BetweenTheRopes.com

On Tuesday night, June 17th, female mixed martial artist Erin Toughill joined hosts Brian Fritz, Dickerman, and Vito DeNucci live on Between The Ropes on ESPN Florida AM 1080 and AM 1060 to discuss the possibility of fighting Gina Carano, Tara LaRosa's manly appearance, her role on American Gladiators, and much more.

The interview began with a little discussion of Erin's role on this season of American Gladiators. She said she likely got the call to interview and audition for the show because they were looking for more legitimate athletes rather than the fitness models they had last year. She also said that the show tends to pick the people to become gladiators and then build the gimmicks around them rather than looking for someone to fit a predetermined gimmick.

The focus of the interview then quickly shifted to Erin's work as a mixed martial artist and how she got along with Gina Carano behind the scenes of American Gladiators. Erin said that "when we're working together we all have good professional relationships, but with Gina and I the main thing we do is professional fighting. I'm not as well known as Gina and I think it's great that she gets the exposure…but there are other female fighters out there. I did an interview the other day and they really thought that Gina Carano was the champion of the world and she just beats everybody. I had to go on there and dispel that because there could be nothing further from the truth." Later on in the interview Erin began lobbying for a fight with Gina, saying that Gina would have to start fighting some real competition soon and she is just waiting to get that opportunity.

Erin then gave her thoughts on some other female mixed martial artists, specifically Tara LaRosa. "I think Tara's big thing is that she's jealous because she kind of looks like a guy…She's talked a lot of trash on me as well and we're in completely different weight classes so she can go in and have her interviews and talk behind a computer screen and feel nice and safe. Tara has been around a long time and they talk about her being "the pioneer," come on, a pioneer is someone who has been doing this from the beginning and that's where I come in. I've been a pro for nine years."

Erin was then asked about why she hasn't fought in over a year. She explained that in 2007 she had 4 separate fights fall through, including a main event fight in Las Vegas that fell through the night before it was supposed to happen. Because of the financial ramifications of so many fights falling through she said she decided to take some time off and get some exposure with her role on American Gladiators.

The interview concluded with Erin being asked what weight she fights at. Erin said she had fought as high as 165 pounds and is currently in negotiations with Elite XC to fight at 150 pounds. She said that she'd be willing to fight Gina at that weight or even a catch weight if that was what had to happen.

To listen to the entire Erin Toughill interview, including her thoughts on the chances of an American Gladiators/Elite XC cross promotion and how she's do on a cheesy game show like Spike's Most Extreme Elimination Challenge, as well as the entire June 17th edition of Between The Ropes in streaming audio, visit the show online at http://www.BetweenTheRopes.com. In addition to listening to this week's show you can become a site member and access hundreds of previous Between The Ropes shows and interviews. Join us for Between The Ropes for two hours every Tuesday night at 6:00pm ET on ESPN Florida AM 1080 and AM 1060 and worldwide on BetweenTheRopes.com.