Model and UFC Octagon Girl Arianny Celeste Talks w/ 411 on UFC’s Growth, Mental Fitness, and Her Favorite Part of International Fight Week

411mania recently had the chance to sit down and speak with UFC Octagon Girl and model Arianny Celeste. Arianny made her debut as an Octagon Girl for the UFC in 2006, and she’s been a fixture at some of the biggest events in history since that time. Her modeling work has spanned across such magazines as Maxim, FHM, Playboy, Sports Illustrated, and many more.

In addition to her modeling and UFC work, she’s also started her own fashion gift box brand called Girlfriend Box, and she’s also gotten into the music scene and started recording music. Additionally, Arianny Celeste has become a spokesperson for the new furniture brand, Gjemeni, which she was promoting during International Fight Week. The Gjemeni concept is a furniture-in-a-box that can be configured a number of ways and also has built-in USB ports for charging tablets, smartphones and laptops. Here’s what Arianny Celeste had to say during our recent interview for fight week.

Jeffrey Harris: What’s your favorite part about International Fight Week?

Arianny Celeste: I love International Fight Week because there are literally fans from all over the world and it is the perfect way to connect with so many people that have supported me over the years. My fans are extremely important to me, so it great to able to meet with everyone and forge an even stronger connection.

Jeffrey Harris: These Gjemeni couches and furniture pieces look very convenient, versatile and user friendly. It’s nice to see that furniture is evolving with built in USB ports for our phones, tablets, and laptops. What do you like the most about the Gjemeni couch?

Arianny Celeste: There are two things. Mostly, its keeps me connected at all times – I’m always creating content and editing photos, so it’s very convenient – especially with the USB port. Seriously, it’s always there for you.

The other is that when friends stay over it turns into a super comfortable bed, which is also very convenient. I’ve had many people rave to me about how great my Gjemeni couch is. It’s definitely a great piece of furniture to have in your home.

Jeffrey Harris: One of the couch’s main features is that you can configure it in a number of ways. Do you like to rearrange it at all, or stick with a main configuration?

Arianny Celeste: I pretty much stick with the couch mode unless I have friends sleeping over – the dual arm rests are really comfortable.

Jeffrey Harris: You have some very adorable dogs. Would you mind sharing with us their story and your relationship with them?

Arianny Celste: Aww… My two boys, Bentley and Enzo! They are complete opposites. One is super spunky, while the other is kind of timid and weird, almost cat like. They are the loves of my life – my babies… until I have real ones (ha!). They are super, super spoiled.

Jeffrey Harris: You’ve been a part of the UFC since 2006. What’s it like to see the sport of MMA grow and change so much in the last decade?

Arianny Celeste: It makes me really proud. This company has worked so hard to get where it is today. I’m very happy and proud to be a part of it – we’ve grown together and the support I’ve received has been unbelievable.

Jeffrey Harris: In 2011 or 2012, it was hard to ever imagine women’s MMA becoming a part of the UFC. Now, it’s a major part of the organization. What’s it like to see now that women have become so heavily integrated into the UFC and have become top starts?

Arianny Celeste: I think it is really incredible to see and overall very important and symbolic. It clearly shows just how bad ass women really are in every way.

Jeffrey Harris: I’ve always been curious; do you ever train any type of martial arts or grappling for fun or exercise? Or maybe as a more serious discipline?

Arianny Celeste: I do kick boxing and boxing just for fun. They are two of the most fun work outs ever – and not just the cardio, adding weights into it provides an all over amazing workout and it goes by superfast. It’s also therapeutic – a great way to blow off steam, which comes in handy with exes (ha!)

Jeffrey Harris: Rather than a single favorite, do you have UFC fighters who are can’t miss for you that you always love to watch, either male or female? It could be any fighters going back throughout history.

Arianny Celeste: I always say B.J. Penn – I’ve seen him change weight classes, excel at everything he does and even lick blood off of his opponents. He’s a fighter that always has heart – no matter what.

Jeffrey Harris: Do you have a favorite travel location or vacation spot where you get totally lost in its majesty or magic?

Arianny Celeste: I’ve been all over the world, travelled to many amazing places, but I really love Hawaii. The people are incredible – warm, loving and kind – it feels like a totally different way of life when I am there.

Jeffrey Harris: Since you studied nutrition and fitness, I’m curious what your thoughts are on the mental aspect to being healthy and fit? Is there a mental aspect to health and fitness that goes beyond diet and exercise?

Arianny Celeste: Yes, being mentally fit is even more important – if you are not happy, you cannot be your best self. I encourage all aspects of mental health and I think therapy is important. Recently, I’ve begun practicing yoga and believe that it helps a person in so many ways that they don’t even know until they try it for themselves. I’d recommend it to any man or woman – honestly, it is life changing.

Jeffrey Harris: If you have any other projects you are working on or sponsors you would like to share with our readers please feel free to share them with us.

Arianny Celeste: Yes! Follow me on Facebook and Instagram and also, be ready for some new music coming to you soon. Lastly, check out my company Girlfriend Box – a curated fashion box that is delivered monthly and makes life so much easier. It’s perfect for you, a friend or girlfriend.

Thank you to Arianny Celeste for taking the time to speak with us.