LOCAL cage fighter Claire Todd will feature in a new Australian documentary that shines a spotlight on the lives of the men and women brave enough to face the challenge of the world’s toughest sport.
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An experienced Muay Thai kickboxer, Ms Todd ventured into cage fighting, also known as mixed martial arts (MMA), 18 months ago.
She was approached early last year by production company In Films, which wanted to feature her in the documentary Caged alongside other up and coming fighters Martin Nguyen and Ali Cevik.
The documentary would follow a year in the lives of each fighter.
Initially, the 36-year-old was skeptical about being part of the program, but in the end she decided it would be a good way to portray the sport in a positive light and to encourage more female participation.
“Originally the idea was that it is not all a boys club and if girls want to go into it they can,” she said.
“It is not all about the fighting and violence and all those negative connotations associated with MMA.”
Caged documents Ms Todd’s experiences during training and how she balances it with her other daily commitments.
Her intense training sees her in the gym six times a week to keep her fitness high and skills sharp.
There is no fear when she goes up against an opponent.
“It is competition mode,” Ms Todd said. “I’ve never played another sport before so I don’t know what to compare it to, but you’ve got your skills that you’ve been training and your game plan.”
Despite the perceived dangers of cage fighting, she said most fighters only end up with bumps and bruises, as is the case in most sports.
A significant broken bone is rare.
Caged will premiere on SBS on Wednesday night at 8.30pm.
While the documentary will show the subjects taking hits and kicks, Ms Todd hopes people will look past all of that to see the benefits of the sport, which includes fitness and confidence, and the kind nature of the people who participate.
“I’ve learnt a lot about myself, a lot about people and a lot about kindness,” she said of her experience.
