Undefeated Michelle Montague is improving as a mixed martial artist thanks to some key advice she's received from some of the top female fighters in the sport today.
American Top Team’s Montague (4-0) will be looking to remain unbeaten in her young MMA career when she takes on Karolina Sobek at Bellator Champions Series: Dublin at the 3Arena in Ireland.
On the mats in Coconut Creek, Florida, Montague practices his craft alongside some of the best in the world, including UFC fighters Kayla Harrison and Mayra Bueno Silva, who offer up some key advice to the New Zealand-born featherweight.
“Patience is a must during camp,” Montague told MMA Junkie Radio. “Whether it's in transition or whatever, the main thing I always remember and probably think about every training session is patience. Whether it's between rounds, during a round, in a certain position or even when you're waiting for fight news, taking time to breathe. I think the word 'patience' encompasses it all.”
Montague has been flawless so far in her professional MMA career, yet to see a judge's scorecard. She has finished every opponent she has faced with the same move – the rear-naked choke. Despite her success, she acknowledges that her technique is still in its infancy, and is confident that she can improve thanks to champion training partners like Harrison and “Seetara.”
The match against Sobek (4-2) will be her first fight in 10 months, a longer wait than she would have liked and one that will test her patience, but will give her time to absorb what she has learned from her mentor as she moves on to a more active schedule.
“I think that recipe will continue to grow forever as skill improves in general,” Montague said. “I don't think that recipe is ever complete for any fighter, it just depends on who they fight and who they become. Women especially don't fully grow or mature in the sport until they're 30, and I've just hit that point. It's an interesting thought, because yes, I'm young in my professional career, but I'm not that young in life.”
“… I think being where I am and having the right people around me and trying to soak up all of it as much as I can adds to that recipe.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie
