Female Combatives Soldier Battles Through Predominately Male Sport

Related Media

Spc. Beth Revell (right) of Granite City places an arm bar submission on her opponent during the first round at the All-Army Combatives Tournament.

SPRINGFIELD, IL (10/21/2010)(readMedia)-- When you hear someone talks about mixed martial arts (MMA) who is the first person that comes to mind? Is it a female or does a female mixed martial artist even come to mind?

Spc. Beth Revell of Granite City is trying to change the way people look at MMA as a predominately male sport. She has been training hard for two years now and knows it is a lifestyle change.

"I have lost some of my female friends due to fighting," said Revell. "They do not like the way I eat and they hate that I am at the gym all the time."

Revell does an hour of cardio in the morning and works two hours on her MMA techniques in the evening. She also works on her sparring twice a week. According to Revell, all the training is worth it. She has come a long way and keeps on improving. Not only is it hard work in the gym, but Revell also watches what she eats all the time. Keeping around the same weight is important for fighters. If you gain too much, then you have to cut weight prior to your fight.

"(Cutting weight) is the worst experience ever," said Revell. "It makes you regret every bad thing you have eaten in the past month. It is the worst part about the sport."

Revell enjoys discipline and confidence it gives her. At the beginning of October, Revell went to Fort Benning, Ga. with the Illinois Army National Guard Combatives team for the All-Army Combatives Tournament.

"When you go into a tournament like that, it is a little overwhelming," said Revell. "I just try and stay focused and let go of my fear. I try my hardest regardless; I want to represent the females well."

Revell was one of 12 females that competed in a tournament of more than 460 fighters.

"It is great having a female on the team," said Maj. Jeffary Jiannoni, the co-captain of the Illinois Army National Guard Combatives Team. "Especially in a competition dominated by males and the look on their faces when they lose to a female fighter. It is priceless."

The All-Army tournament is one of six fights Revell has scheduled for this year.

"Spc. Revell is a very talented fighter," said Jiannoni, a Petersburg resident. "She recognizes her weaknesses and is working hard to improve them. I believe next year she will be in the top four fighters for her weight class."

Revell joined the Illinois Army National Guard in March 2010, spending approximately six months at basic and advanced individual training. She said she has always wanted to serve in the military and is a member of the 1344th Transportation Company based in East St. Louis. Revell calls the combatives team and being able to compete in the bigger military competition an added bonus to enlisting.

"I am really glad Staff Sgt. Nicholas Grant gave me the opportunity to compete," said Revell. "Grant is really supportive of MMA and the Illinois National Guard."

Staff Sgt. Nicholas Grant, of Caseyville, is the co-captain with Jiannoni of the Illinois Army National Guard Combatives Team.

The Illinois Army National Guard Combatives team is always trying to improve the talent of the team. The team plans on holding tryouts in January 2011. If you are in the Illinois Army National Guard and are training in MMA, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, boxing, submission grappling or other combat arts, contact Maj. Jeffary Jiannoni at 217-761-3710 or Jeffary.jiannoni@us.army.mil.

Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/illinoisnationalguard.