Tonya Evinger Says UFC Criticisms Motivated Her

In an interview with MMA Fighting, Tonya Evinger spoke about how previous criticisms from the UFC motivated her to improve. Here are highlights:

On if matchmaker Sean Shelby should take back calling her unimpressive: “What’s there to really take back? It was a real occasion that happened. I’m not saying it helped or didn’t help my career, but it obviously lit a fire under my ass, because I’ve done nothing but win since.”

On how she’s grown: “I just kind of had to find my own way and figure out the mistakes I was making and obviously my losses have shown that. And figure out how to make my style work for me. I think that’s where I am. I think I’m really smart about the way I fight. I know my body is gonna perform a certain way and my reactions are gonna be a certain way. So I had to learn to get my style in with that and make it work.”

On not being in the UFC: “It’s always bothered me. I work hard for whatever I’ve got. Same thing in wrestling and now this sport. The recognition comes from the people in power, I guess. They can make anybody a star. These kids, they’re a hype train, man. They don’t know how to fight like they can sell a pay-per-view. It sucks, but there’s nothing I can do.”