Saga Elnaes is all set to make her mixed martial debut at Battle Arena Northampton this Saturday.
Elnaes promises to fight with her “head held high” when she meets Marie Paulsen at the Northants Country Cricket Club.
We had the pleasure of speaking with Saga Elnaes ahead of her big moment in Northampton.
Interview With Saga Elnaes
Several days out from making your mixed martial arts debut, talk us through the whirlwind of emotions you’ve been going through over the last week.
Throughout this period leading up to the match, I have never felt more ready than I am now. My approach throughout the time has been to give everything the second I enter the cage! I will end this match with a win and celebrate with my amazing team!
For the readers to get a better understanding and background on you, enlighten them to a little bit about yourself, your background, how long and why you decided to start training.
I have a past as a gymnast and athletic and found passion in martial arts. I will go into the fight with my head held high and a heart that is ready to give everything.
Saga Elneas on Making Her Amateur Debut
How did you know the time was right to take the leap and make your amateur debut? Is it positive signs you’ve been displaying in training that your coaches feel now the time is right?
My whole team and I have helped make me who I am! This has made me feel ready to fight. With a lot of training and a lot of focus, the time has come for an MMA fight.
Women’s MMA has never been in a better place, and finally, it’s beginning to become more normalised. That said, who are some of the women you enjoy fighting locally or at the top of the sport? Which fighters motivate you?
A big influence and motivation on me are all the members of the team, who stand up for everyone and train and have fun. Ivana Petrovic is a woman I think is strong both physically and mentally. She fights and never gives up. She motivates me to be as good as her!
A debut will give you an accurate representation of where you are with your skills and where to improve, and it will bring out your strengths. Although, of course, you want to win, at this stage, it’s not always the most valuable and beneficial thing. Considering that, what expectations have you put down for yourself on Saturday night?
My expectation for Saturday night is to enter the cage and perform with a good and entertaining fight.
Marie Paulsen will stand across the cage from you in Northampton. She will also make her debut. Is it a sense of comfort knowing she will be going through all the same anxious feelings you will be for the first time?
I’ve mainly focused on mine, so I’d say we’re both going to step into the cage and perform to the best of our ability! I am not stressed about the fight. This will be an educational and fun experience.
Small Goals
Days away from stepping inside the cage for the first time. Have you set any small goals you’d like to work towards and chase in terms of competition, and overall, what are you looking to get out of the sport itself?
I want to bring out and perform the best of me and improve. Will go far and train a lot to reach my goals!
Saturday night, all goes well, and you walk away with the win. When can we expect to see you in there next, or are you just looking to get the first fight under the belt and then go from there?
This is just the start of a chapter. The plan is to continue and go to as many matches as possible in the future. Get as far as possible!
Finally, I’ll leave you with the last words. Is there anybody you’d like to thank ahead of fight night?
I would like to thank everyone who has trained and helped me through this period, but I would like to give an extra thank you to my Coach, Daniel Tryggvason, my brother Rasmus Elnaes, my father, Joachim Elnaes, Rikelektro and Jensen and Scheele.
Featured image credits to Saga Elnaes
