EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH FRAN VON LICHT

BROOKLYN — Coming up this weekend, Everest MMA moves to the East Coast for their fifth event, Everest // Brooklyn. It is the biggest card in terms of fights, with nine scheduled, but also quite possibly the biggest in terms of non-champion star power. I was able to get a moment to speak with the young yet extremely talented Fran von Licht, who will be making her Everest debut, in the Co-Main Event no less. Check out the transcript from my time with Miss von Licht.

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ISAAC COHEN

Ladies and gentlemen, with me right now is the one and only Fran von Licht, who will be making her Everest MMA debut this coming Saturday. Fran, you grew up with an affinity for boxing and showed some big potential, but you ended up making your first leap into combat sports with professional wrestling at HKW at just 18 years old. At what point did you know that competing in combat sports was something you wanted to put your focus into?

FRAN VON LICHT

Truth be told, I grew up in the city of Newark in New Jersey. As a young girl comin’ from a family that’s both Mexican and African-American, I ain’t never had that many opportunities to succeed on an academic level.

FRAN VON LICHT

You hear me? The first time I EVER had a real ass role model was a wrestler named Arkia Fisk. A REAL legend in the state of New Jersey. When I saw her bring her big ass up into that ring I was like well damnnnnnn. The way she controlled the crowds...A lotta young women of color got their first taste of seeing a strong Black woman have that type of energy. That voice to influence a whole group of people.

ISAAC COHEN

After your time with HKW, you made the move into mixed martial arts, with Slaughterhouse Fight Nights. That promotion showed a lot of promise, being backed by MMA legend James Shark and Multi-Business Mogul Phoenix, but unfortunately closed down after three events. You managed to make your debut, defeating Kendra Kanensson via submission in impressive fashion, then moved to the one-and-done 8CMMA, knocking out Jett Wilder in their only main event bout. Now, you are set to make your debut here in Everest MMA against Kenneth Rodríguez in the Co-Main Event, what can we, the fans, expect to see from “Lovely” Fran von Licht in your return back into the octagon?

FRAN VON LICHT

You right, I did make a splash early on by beatin’ the absolute BRAKES off Jett Wilder. Back then, I think I got to show folks that I really had a future in Mixed Martial Arts. People thought I was ALL talk, Isaac. ALL TALK. I went out there and fucked his ass up. But, I’ll tell ya, the fans of Everest and Union alike can expect my ass to show them how much I admire this sport.

FRAN VON LICHT

These people can expect to catch a glimpse of the streets, Isaac. I ain’t from no lil suburb. I ain’t tryin’ to come in here and play buddy buddy with a damn soul. I don’t need nobody blowin’ no smoke up my ass. Whether you like me or not I couldn’t give a RAT’s ass. I’m here for one reason: to make my damn mark in this bitch out of RESPECT for the folks who done paved the way in MMA like a Marissa Kane. P3. Daniel Fisk. James Shark. Tom Pendergrass. Cass Madness. All these people who did what the hell they had to do to build this sport up.

ISAAC COHEN

What were your initial impressions of Everest MMA, and what made you decide to sign with them?

FRAN VON LICHT

It goes like this. So..boom. People have gotta to understand that fighters in Everest aren’t just feeders for Union. These folks are talented as hell. I see a lot of world class athletes at both 115 and 145 doing their thing. You see someone like the Ghost, Gianna, dominating her division and think...holy hell, these fighters are evolving more and more. How the hell is anyone gonna beat that?

FRAN VON LICHT

I want folks to look at me and think that way. I wanna be apart of the fastest growing brand in Mixed Martial Arts, you hear me?

ISAAC COHEN

How important is it for you to represent The Lair? It seems the gym hasn’t had too many MMA fighters making headlines ever since Derrick La’Bell stepped away to focus on professional wrestling.

FRAN VON LICHT

Lair is more than a gym to me, Isaac. I’ma keep this one short. I ain’t gonna go into detail… I done spent weeks on the phone with Sha and his woman, Destiny, in the hardest moments tellin’ them that I’ll always be there for them…

FRAN VON LICHT

There’s a lotta fake ass people in combat sports. So, I’ll make this shit simple. I told Sha I’ll always hold him down in sports, in life, whatever you wanna say. His family is MY FAMILY. I ain’t never gonna turn my back on someone who saw something in me. Someone who acted like a BIG BROTHER to me. Talked to me through all my tough times. I owe a LOT to Sha. So, everything I accomplish from here goin’ forward is gonna be for him and Dessy.

ISAAC COHEN

Perfect scenario here, you win your debut fight, what’s next for a 3-0 Fran? Is there anyone that you have your sights set on?

FRAN VON LICHT

WHEN I take this win in my debut...I’m comin’ for the strap at 145. That might sound crazy to y’all. But, people are scared of Alistair. They fear gettin’ in the cage with that killer. I’ma tell you right now that I welcome that shit. I wanna get in there and trade bombs. I become Featherweight Champion...I’m gonna take Everest to new heights.

ISAAC COHEN

Well Fran, I want to thank you for taking some time out of your day to answer a few questions. But before I let you go, I’d like to give you the floor to say any final words.

FRAN VON LICHT

Thank ya, Isaac. Understand this y’all. We in crazy times. We gotta stay strong as hell though. Cherish the time you’re gettin’ with your family. Be LOYAL to y’all friends. The only thing we have in this life that nobody can take away is LOYALTY. Remember that.

ISAAC COHEN

Thank you again, Fran. We’ll all be watching with much excitement this weekend for your Everest debut.