In the Tone of Matthew McConaughey: Article Summary
The Happy Warrior's transformation
Roxanne Modafferi, a pioneer of women's mixed martial arts (MMA), has traded in her fighting gloves for a much different role - an English teacher. Modafferi began her MMA career in 2003, long before it gained mainstream popularity. Now, she has embarked on a new career teaching English in Japan, using her degree in Japanese language and literature to land a teaching job.
A seamless transition
Unlike many retired fighters, Modafferi didn't struggle to find work after hanging up her gloves. She secured a position teaching English to 18-60-year-olds in January, an opportunity that has filled the void left by fighting. Modafferi expressed her satisfaction with her new career, saying, "I'm teaching English now as a second language and I'm good at that. My students like me, my boss likes me, and I feel like I'm making a difference in people's lives still."
Maintaining anonymity
Despite her status as a well-known figure in MMA, most of Modafferi's students are unaware of her former career. She revealed, "My English students do not [know who I am], I don't think they are really MMA fans." While one student recognized her as a practitioner of Jiu-Jitsu, the majority of her classmates at the English school remain oblivious.
Retirement and the decision to step away
Modafferi retired from the fight game after her UFC 271 defeat to Casey O'Neil in February 2021. She cited post-sparring headaches as a major factor in her decision, explaining, "A few years ago, I started getting headaches after hard sparring. I thought that was very bad...I'm not noticing any poor speech patterns or memory loss or anything. But I know it's a bad sign to get headaches after training." Additionally, Modafferi recognized the physical limitations that come with age and the emergence of younger, more athletic fighters.
The upset victory that made history
Modafferi's career highlight came in her fight against Maycee Barber at UFC 246 in January 2020. Despite being considered the underdog, Modafferi dominated her opponent with her grappling skills and ground and pound techniques, securing a unanimous decision victory. The victory not only shocked the world but also left Barber with a horrific cut on her skull and a torn ACL, resulting in a trip to the hospital.
A beloved figure in MMA
Modafferi's retirement garnered praise from fans and UFC president Dana White, who described her as a "great human being" and commended her toughness and durability. White expressed his support for Modafferi continuing to be a presence at the UFC headquarters, stating, "This is her house, so she's welcome any time she wants."
