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Roxanne Modafferi
Roxanne Modafferi

Roxanne Modafferi is a former UFC fighter with 19 years of MMA experience. She’s fought for titles in the UFC, Strikeforce, and Invicta. A jiujitsu blackbelt, she teaches jiujitsu at the gym, and English in the classroom. Roxanne has self-published three books in addition to contributing articles for this site. In her free time, she watches anime and plays video games (Twisted Metal, Skyrim, etc).

Dear Roxy 21: Has the UFC product fallen off?
Has the UFC product fallen off? - Dear Roxy 21
Roxanne Modafferi is back with another edition of her 'Dear Roxy' column, tackling reader questions on the UFC, training, and life after fighting.
Roxanne Modafferi | May 21
‘Does it bother you that your prime was spent fighting in relative obscurity?’ | Dear Roxy 20
'Does it bother you that your prime was spent fighting in relative obscurity?' | Dear Roxy 20
Roxanne Modafferi tackles your questions, Happy Warrior style, in her latest ‘Dear Roxy’ column for Bloody Elbow.
Roxanne Modafferi | April 24
Dear Roxy 19: ‘What do you miss the most about competing’
Dear Roxy: 'What do you miss the most about competing'
Roxanne Modafferi tackles your questions, Happy Warrior style, in her latest ‘Dear Roxy’ column for Bloody Elbow.
Roxanne Modafferi | April 12
Dear Roxy: Does MMA math work?
Dear Roxy: Does MMA math work?
Roxanne Modafferi tackles your questions, Happy Warrior style, in her latest ‘Dear Roxy’ column for Bloody Elbow.
Roxanne Modafferi | March 27
Dear Roxy – ‘What would you attribute your longevity to?’
Dear Roxy – ‘What would you attribute your longevity to?’
A new year means a whole new batch of questions for Roxanne Modafferi and her Dear Roxy column, where the ‘Happy Warrior’ goes toe-to-toe-with readers’ inquiries about fighting, training, and life in general. Last time around we got questions about weight class designations and whether the UFC should consider adding more of them. We also […]
Roxanne Modafferi | January 6
Dear Roxy – What do you think about Dana White’s Contender Series?
Dear Roxy – What do you think about Dana White’s Contender Series?
It’s time again for another batch of questions for Roxanne Modafferi and her Dear Roxy column, where the ‘Happy Warrior’ goes toe-to-toe-with readers’ inquiries about fighting, training, and life in general. Last time, we tackled questions about trash talk, gave a few thoughts about bushido spirit and the martial arts, and about what it’s like […]
Roxanne Modafferi | December 24
Dear Roxy – Were you ever told to trash talk more?
Dear Roxy – Were you ever told to trash talk more?
Roxanne Modafferi is back again with a new batch of questions for the latest Dear Roxy, the advice column where the ‘Happy Warrior’ goes toe-to-toe-with readers’ inquiries about fighting, training, and life in general. Last time around, we talked about MMA managers and how to pick one. We also talked favorite victories and worst losses. […]
Roxanne Modafferi | December 8
Dear Roxy – What advice would you give a young fighter about managers?
Dear Roxy – What advice would you give a young fighter about managers?
Roxanne Modafferi has returned for another edition of Dear Roxy, the advice column where the ‘Happy Warrior’ goes toe-to-toe-with questions about fighting, training, and life in general. In our last edition, Roxanne got into her thoughts on the ever controversial topic of fighter pay. She also gave her top secret tips on cooking for MMA […]
Roxanne Modafferi | November 26
Dear Roxy: ‘What are your thoughts on fighter pay?’
Dear Roxy: ‘What are your thoughts on fighter pay?’
Roxanne Modafferi is back in the hot seat for another edition of Dear Roxy, the advice column where the ‘Happy Warrior’ goes toe-to-toe-with questions about fighting, training, and life in general. Last week we dove into the stresses of being a competitive athlete and how it compares to the stress of day-to-day life. We also […]
Roxanne Modafferi | November 4
Dear Roxy – ‘What exactly do refs tell you in the back before a fight?’
Dear Roxy – ‘What exactly do refs tell you in the back before a fight?’
Roxanne Modafferi is back in the hot seat for another edition of Dear Roxy, the advice column where the ‘Happy Warrior’ goes toe-to-toe-with questions about fighting, training, and life in general. Last week we talked about the future of women’s MMA and the new waves of athletes looking to make their name in the sport. […]
Roxanne Modafferi | October 17
Dear Roxy: ‘Did fighting without glasses ever bother you?’
Dear Roxy: ‘Did fighting without glasses ever bother you?’
Roxanne Modafferi is back in the hot seat for another edition of Dear Roxy, the advice column where the ‘Happy Warrior’ goes toe-to-toe-with questions about fighting, training, and life in general. Last week we looked at injury stoppages and their impact on a fighter’s legacy. We also talked about tricks to stay motivated in training. […]
Roxanne Modafferi | October 5
Dear Roxy: Should an injury impact the legitimacy of a win?
Dear Roxy: Should an injury impact the legitimacy of a win?
Roxanne Modafferi is back in the hot seat for another edition of Dear Roxy, the advice column where the ‘Happy Warrior’ goes toe-to-toe-with questions about fighting, training, and life in general. Last week focused on whether or not MMA needs a ‘master’s division’, the possible advantages of fighting with extra weight. We also looked at […]
Roxanne Modafferi | September 25
Dear Roxy – ‘Just how big is the advantage of extra weight?’
Dear Roxy – ‘Just how big is the advantage of extra weight?’
Roxanne Modafferi is back in the hot seat for another edition of Dear Roxy, the advice column where the ‘Happy Warrior’ goes toe-to-toe-with questions about fighting, training, and life in general. Last week we talked about being sick & injured going into a fight, gearing camps for specific opponents, and how it feels the day […]
Roxanne Modafferi | September 8
Dear Roxy – ‘What’s the worst you’ve ever felt on a fight night and still won?’
Dear Roxy – ‘What’s the worst you’ve ever felt on a fight night and still won?’
Roxanne Modafferi returns for another edition of Dear Roxy, the advice column where the ‘Happy Warrior’ goes toe-to-toe-with questions about fighting, training, and life in general. Last time, we focused on the value of win streaks vs. name wins. We also looked at the possibility of a fighter’s union sometime in the future and how […]
Roxanne Modafferi | August 19
Dear Roxy: ‘Do you think unionization will ever happen?’
Dear Roxy: ‘Do you think unionization will ever happen?’
Roxanne Modafferi returns for another edition of Dear Roxy, the advice column where the ‘Happy Warrior’ goes toe-to-toe-with questions about fighting, training, and life in general. In our last edition, we focused on open scoring in MMA. We also looked at weight cutting practices in different organizations around the world. And even gave some consideration […]
Roxanne Modafferi | August 9
Dear Roxy: ‘How do you feel about open scoring?’
Dear Roxy: ‘How do you feel about open scoring?’
It’s time for another edition of Dear Roxy, where the ‘Happy Warrior’ goes toe-to-toe with questions about fighting, training, and life in general. In our last edition we talked about self promotion without focusing on sex appeal. We also talked about what I’d change in MMA, given the power to change anything. And we looked […]
Roxanne Modafferi | July 20
Dear Roxy: ‘What changes would you make in MMA?’
Dear Roxy: ‘What changes would you make in MMA?’
It’s time for another edition of Dear Roxy, where the ‘Happy Warrior’ goes toe-to-toe with questions about fighting, training, and life in general. Last time around we talked about channeling your inner warrior in the face of difficulty and self doubt. We also looked at some good ways to relax during training camp. And some […]
Roxanne Modafferi | July 1
Dear Roxy: ‘How do you channel your inner warrior’ and overcome doubt?
Dear Roxy: ‘How do you channel your inner warrior’ and overcome doubt?
It’s time for another edition of Dear Roxy, where the ‘Happy Warrior’ goes toe-to-toe with questions about fighting, training, and life in general. Back in May we talked about keeping composure inside the cage, especially in the face of painful injuries that might impact scoring with the judges. We also talked about gym culture, martial […]
Roxanne Modafferi | June 17
Dear Roxy: ‘How do you manage to keep a poker face?’
Dear Roxy: ‘How do you manage to keep a poker face?’
The Happy Warrior has returned! I get asked lots of great questions by fans and fellow fighters, and I’d like my experience and knowledge to help everyone, so I’ve decided to start a ‘Dear Roxy’ advice column. Each month I’ll take your most interesting questions about fighting, training, and life in general and answer them […]
Roxanne Modafferi | May 23
Dear Roxy: ‘I feel like nobody wants to spar with me. What can I do?’
Dear Roxy: ‘I feel like nobody wants to spar with me. What can I do?’
Hey everyone, it’s me, The Happy Warrior! You probably all know me from my long mixed martial arts career, but I love sharing my life outside the cage as well. I’m currently working on writing my third book, which is my second memoir. I hope to release it later this year. I get asked lots […]
Roxanne Modafferi | May 11
Pandemic training, title shots, and bloody wars – Fans interview the Happy Warrior
Pandemic training, title shots, and bloody wars – Fans interview the Happy Warrior
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected everybody’s lives in some shape or form, including myself. Gyms in Vegas closed, and we went under lockdown for over a month. That resulted in me changing my training, and pursing other interests that I have been putting on the back burner, like the piano. Uncertain about topics to write […]
Roxanne Modafferi | May 26
From Power Rangers to black belt: The Happy Warrior’s long Jiu Jitsu journey
From Power Rangers to black belt: The Happy Warrior’s long Jiu Jitsu journey
I loved team sports as a kid, especially soccer. My dad also loved soccer, so from the time I could run, we were kicking around a soccer ball. One day when I was twelve or thirteen, I went over to my mom after an episode of the Power Rangers TV show had finished. “Mom,” I […]
Roxanne Modafferi | March 9
Fighting the future: Roxanne Modafferi takes fans through her win at UFC 246
Fighting the future: Roxanne Modafferi takes fans through her win at UFC 246
On January 18th, in Las Vegas, NV, I claimed victory in what was the forty-fifth fight of my career. Beating Maycee Barber in the feature prelim on ESPN was a major victory for me. I jumped two spots in the UFC rankings, and had a lot of personal growth as a fighter. Maycee had a […]
Roxanne Modafferi | January 29
MMA: It’s a sport and it’s entertainment
MMA: It’s a sport and it’s entertainment
“Fighting is in our DNA.” When a fight breaks out, we all look. The energy, the excitement, the emotions; the technique, the fighters—there is so much that calls our attention. Mixed Martial Arts has evolved a lot over time, but one thing hasn’t changed: it’s always been a mix of sports and entertainment. I’m undecided […]
Roxanne Modafferi | November 20
The Happy Warrior’s Heart – Recovering from my loss and celebrating my triumph
The Happy Warrior’s Heart – Recovering from my loss and celebrating my triumph
I lost my last fight against Jennifer Maia in Texas. No matter how a fighter loses, by decision or KO, the intense feelings of pain and sadness are there. I’ve made my walk to the cage (or ring) 44 times in my life and, of those, I’ve walked away with eighteen losses. Every fight and […]
Roxanne Modafferi | September 20
Fighter’s Perspective: Raising the next generation of martial artists
Fighter’s Perspective: Raising the next generation of martial artists
“Coach Roxanne, can I choke you, please?” I look down. There, beautiful dark-haired Aleena stares up at me. Her eyes sparking with love and anticipation. Her head only comes up to my hip. “Of course!” I say, kneeling down. Aleena positions herself behind me, snaps on a killer rear-naked choke, and squeezes. My hand is […]
Roxanne Modafferi | July 22
Fighter to Athlete: A first-hand look at the evolution of Roxanne Modafferi
Fighter to Athlete: A first-hand look at the evolution of Roxanne Modafferi
I’ve always considered myself a martial artist. But, I’m also a fighter. And I’ve only recently become an athlete. It turns out, these things aren’t the same at all. Through the past few decades, the sport of mixed martial arts has evolved alongside its participants, driving home the differences between each of these identities. More […]
Roxanne Modafferi | June 10
Thought in Action: Inside the mind of the Happy Warrior at UFC St. Petersburg
Thought in Action: Inside the mind of the Happy Warrior at UFC St. Petersburg
In every fight the variables are different: the opponent, the time of year, location, how the fight camp went, life circumstances, and physical condition. This time I was going to Russia, facing a Kyrgyzstanian woman (so the whole Russian arena would be against me), the sister of the champ and getting hyped as heck, a […]
Roxanne Modafferi | May 20
A day in the life of UFC fighter Roxanne Modafferi
A day in the life of UFC fighter Roxanne Modafferi
The life of a professional fighter is all about consistency and discipline. I wanted to give fans a glimpse into that world, by detailing my favorite day of the week—Monday. Watch ‘UFC 236: Holloway vs Poirier 2, Gastelum vs Adesanya’ on ESPN+ Stream all the fights LIVE from Atlanta Saturday Night — don’t miss a […]
Roxanne Modafferi | April 10
Anger & emotion in MMA – A fighter’s mind
Anger & emotion in MMA – A fighter’s mind
Watch ‘UFC on ESPN+ 7: Volkov vs. Overeem’ on ESPN+! UFC on ESPN+ 7 is right around the corner… Stream all the fights LIVE from St. Petersburg, Russia 4.20.19 — don’t miss a single second of face-punching action! Plus, you get access to the best of the UFC Archives & more! Start Your FREE ESPN+ […]
Roxanne Modafferi | March 27
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