Cage Fighting Xtreme’s Linda Shields wins top honors
Originally Posted in the Dedham News:
– An undoubtedly dominant force in mixed martial arts throughout the region, Cage Fighting Xtreme’s Feb. 20 show “Rumble in the Jungle III” in Plymouth promises to begin the new year exactly where the rising MMA promotion left off in 2009.
And as the recent recipient of Action Martial Arts Magazine’s Woman of the Year award on Jan. 9 at the Action Martial Arts Hall of Honors in Atlantic City, N.J., at the Tropicana Casino and Resort, CFX promoter Linda Shields’ relentless work ethic did not allow her pause to contemplate such personal accolades.
“I did not know I was even up in the running,” Shields said. “I didn’t find out until after I’d won. We got a phone call that they were coming to our Nov. 14 show to make a big announcement, and they announced it live. I thought it was a pretty cool way to do it.”
Even cooler was the prestige surrounding the event itself.
“(Winning) was more an honor than anything else,” Shields said. “Like they say, they’re the biggest event of their kind in the world, so being a part of it was awesome. It was a black tie set-up. It was like a beautiful wedding—but for thousands of people; just gorgeous. And there were a lot of famous people and mixed martial arts there. (Dan Severn, Don “The Dragon” Wilson, Bill “Superfoot” Wallace, and Chuck Zito to name a few) It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I hope it’s an indication of our future going forward.
Still, despite the added attention Shields remains grounded, and driven to keep her promotion’s first show following her award a continued model of success.
“The award’s a big deal, but it doesn’t change the perception of the company mainly because I’m still the same person,” Shields said. “Everything with the CFX, I’m all about. I know one thing, we’re not going to relax (after the award), that’s for sure.”
If Feb. 20’s card is any indication, relaxing the feverish pace set by the promotion in 2009 is far from the mind of the CFX’s Golden Girl Shields.
“We have a lot of exciting fights on,” Shields said. “Greg Mendes versus Brian Conrad is a really cool fight. Both guys are so alike, and they’re friends. It’s like they want to just get the fight over with so they can go hang (laughs). They’re such good guys, and they both take their training so seriously. I can’t be cageside for this fight—it’s like watching two brothers fight. They’re both like family to me, and it’s not up to me who to root for—that’s what they have fans for. I wish them both the absolute best, but the outcome? I have no clue.”
An undoubtedly dominant force in mixed martial arts throughout the region, Cage Fighting Xtreme’s Feb. 20 show “Rumble in the Jungle III” in Plymouth promises to begin the new year exactly where the rising MMA promotion left off in 2009.
And as the recent recipient of Action Martial Arts Magazine’s Woman of the Year award on Jan. 9 at the Action Martial Arts Hall of Honors in Atlantic City, N.J., at the Tropicana Casino and Resort, CFX promoter Linda Shields’ relentless work ethic did not allow her pause to contemplate such personal accolades.
“I did not know I was even up in the running,” Shields said. “I didn’t find out until after I’d won. We got a phone call that they were coming to our Nov. 14 show to make a big announcement, and they announced it live. I thought it was a pretty cool way to do it.”
Even cooler was the prestige surrounding the event itself.
“(Winning) was more an honor than anything else,” Shields said. “Like they say, they’re the biggest event of their kind in the world, so being a part of it was awesome. It was a black tie set-up. It was like a beautiful wedding—but for thousands of people; just gorgeous. And there were a lot of famous people and mixed martial arts there. (Dan Severn, Don “The Dragon” Wilson, Bill “Superfoot” Wallace, and Chuck Zito to name a few) It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I hope it’s an indication of our future going forward.
Still, despite the added attention Shields remains grounded, and driven to keep her promotion’s first show following her award a continued model of success.
“The award’s a big deal, but it doesn’t change the perception of the company mainly because I’m still the same person,” Shields said. “Everything with the CFX, I’m all about. I know one thing, we’re not going to relax (after the award), that’s for sure.”
If Feb. 20’s card is any indication, relaxing the feverish pace set by the promotion in 2009 is far from the mind of the CFX’s Golden Girl Shields.
“We have a lot of exciting fights on,” Shields said. “Greg Mendes versus Brian Conrad is a really cool fight. Both guys are so alike, and they’re friends. It’s like they want to just get the fight over with so they can go hang (laughs). They’re such good guys, and they both take their training so seriously. I can’t be cageside for this fight—it’s like watching two brothers fight. They’re both like family to me, and it’s not up to me who to root for—that’s what they have fans for. I wish them both the absolute best, but the outcome? I have no clue.”
“And we’ll have a mini-MMA expo with tons of vendors,” Shields continued. “With all the up-to-date stuff and the hottest gear. And of course, the Canoli Guy is coming back (laughs). Everybody loved him. His pastries were so good, and so fresh, we’re so happy to have him back.”
Also happy to be back will be the likely jam-packed crowd.
“We’re expecting a huge crowd, bigger than last time, and we had over 5,800 last time,” Shields said. “That’s what’s so great about CFX shows, it’s like a big networking party. There’s so much going on, that there’s something for everyone. There’s a bar, like a mini club. There’s a vendor and expo area. The event itself is gorgeous; it’s such a pretty atmosphere. The Jungle Plex is an exciting place for me, I just love it.”
A packed house and equally crowded card combined to draw one last recommendation from Shields: “With all the fights happening, the doors are going to open early–at 6 p.m. People should get there early, because it will be a whole day and night of fun.”
For more information on Cage Fighting Xtreme, the Rumble in the Jungle III event, or to purchase tickets, contact CageFX.com.