Dakotadome
Vermillion, South Dakota
01/19/2019
12:45 CST
[The one on one with Dylan Carter usually takes place at a hotel near the arena for the coming show. However, they were unable to secure an acceptable location to film which brought the interview to the arena itself. They are set up in makeshift hosting arena. Two chairs with a small table between them sits in front of a UGP backdrop. On the table is two cups of water. In one chair sits UGP interviewer, Dylan Carter. In the other is someone who's making her UGP debut, JoJo Holder.]
Dylan: Hello everyone! Welcome to another edition of “One on one” with, me, Dylan Carter. Today I am joined by Jo Jo Holder, who will be making her debut tonight on UGP #7. Feeling good today? Nervous?
[JoJo smiles to Dylan, then to the camera.]
Jo Jo Just that I'm really thankful for everyone supporting me and I look forward to a great first fight. Oh, well, and thank you to you for having me, too. excited. Are there nerves? Sure, but once I'm out there they'll fade and it'll be game.
.
Dylan: Something I always ask… What brought you to MMA?
Jo Jo: Ever since a young age I've watched MMA and over the years I just fell in love with it. I knew I wanted to do this when I grew up and I made moves to make sure of it.
Dylan: You’re training with Throne. What attracted you to them instead of say Slaughterhouse in Vegas or maybe traveling to LA for Real Killas?
Jo Jo: In December, when I first arrived into the US, I visited several places, not just Throne, but it was Throne where I felt must challenged and most at home.
Dylan: I know she busy preparing for her fight next week, but have you been able to talk to and learn anything from Marissa Kane?
Jo Jo: I talked to Marissa before actually joining Throne, before I’d even moved to the USA actually. She gave a lot of great advice, and I know how busy she is with her own schedule, so I felt pretty honoured that she did that for me. Even with that little advice, I learned plenty, but that woman is a fountain of knowledge for sure and hopefully I’ll get more chances to pick her brain.
Dylan: A significant number of your fellow UGP fighters have other ventures, be it wrestling, football, or even other MMA companies. Any interest in those sorts of things or is your focus solely on UGP?
Jo Jo: Right now my focus is on UGP exclusively. I have zero interest in wrestling and even in football.
[Dylan nods and names a note.]
Dylan: You make your debut tonight against Lauren Moore. Do you feel fully prepared and ready?
Jo Jo: Always.
Dylan: So it was a productive camp?
Jo Jo: Definitely. The level of training is a step up from what I was doing before, but it’s a step I’m willing and able to take.
Dylan: Lauren is an excellent, Olympic quality, wrestler who took back in the first round of the opening tournament room the eventual winner and current lightweight champion to the limit. The split decision may be the closest anyone has ever been to beating him. How do you plan on combating her grappling?
[JoJo smiles but shakes her head.]
JoJo: I've watched enough of Lauren to see her strengths and flaws. I also know she's a smart girl and likely to be watching this, so I'd be stupid to reveal my gameplan.
[Dylan nods.]
Dylan: I'm sure. Now, is anything specific that attracted you to UGP over some of the other options out there?
JoJo: If I’m honest, UGP seems the best put together, professional, capable place going. Add to that the roster, with the sheer depth of talent here, and what you got is the best destination for me. See, to be the best, you have to be beating the best.
Dylan: Speaking of the depth of talent. The lightweight division is extremely deep right now. Any concern that a new arrival, like yourself, l could get lost in the shuffle?
[JoJo shrugs.]
JoJo: I suppose it’s possible, but equally I have been given an opportunity to show what I can do. If I achieve that, by beating Lauren, then it’d be tough to get lost in the pack. In that regard, my fate’s in my own hands really.
Dylan: Is there anyone you saw on the roster when you signed that you were excited about the opportunity to face?
JoJo: I’m pretty good friends with Gina VanZant and Saffron Harris, it would be pretty sweet to face either of those two one day even despite the friendship. Obviously it’s an ambition to face whoever is holding the title at any given time, too, but I know that realistically it’ll take a while to earn that.
[Dylan nods as she makes a note.]
Dylan: That's all I have today. Any last comments?
JoJo: Just that I'm really thankful to everyone supporting me and I look forward to a great first fight. Oh, well, and thank you to you for having me, too.
Dylan: My pleasure
[Dylan smiles and turns toward the camera]
Dylan: Hope you at home enjoyed watching this. Don't forget to watch UGP 7 tonight live on the Battleground Network.