By Brian Hemminger

Zoila “The Warrior Princess” Frausto’s career has really skyrocketed in 2010.  After losing a spirited battle against Strikeforce’s Meisha Tate, she’s rebounded with devastating victories over Michelle Ouild as well as a knockout of the year candidate against Rosie Sexton, who was ranked #1 in the world in the women’s 125 lb division at the time.  Sexton had actually been invited to the Bellator 115 lb women’s tournament, but due to a suspension from her injuries, Frausto was given an invite in her place.  She will be taking on undefeated Jessica Pene at Bellator 25 on August 19th, and she set aside a little time to talk to me about it.

Brian Hemminger: For those that are just discovering you, how exactly did you get involved with women’s MMA?

Zoila Frausto: I’ve been in martial arts since I was younger, I kind of got away from it for a while.  After playing soccer at college, I was looking for another challenge.  I started boxing and met some guys from Fresno and it all really started rolling from there.

BH: How did it feel to get that invite into Bellator’s 115lb women’s tournament?

ZF:  Oh my goodness, it was fantastic.  All the hard work that I’ve put into it, to get to this point, it’s just a culmination of all that I’ve done.  Yes, I’m very happy.

BH: You’ve fought at 135 and 125 lbs pretty much your whole career thus far, are you concerned at all with the weight cut to 115 for the Bellator tournament?

ZF:  No, not at all.  I was actually more concerned about the 120 catchweight for Bellator 23, but I made that pretty easy.  I’ve got this new nutrition plan, and after that I knew I could cut the weight easy, 115 isn’t gonna be a problem.

BH: Do you feel your size will give you an advantage over you opponents in Bellator?

ZF:  Definitely, that’s one of the big things that I know I’ll have over my opponents.  Even at 125 and 135 I had the strength advantage over my opponents.  Sexton was one of the strongest women at 135 in the world and I was so much bigger than her, it’s given me a lot of confidence that I’ll be bigger and stronger than everyone else in the field.

BH: You’re been known for your exciting and diverse striking, what was it like getting that first career knockout at Bellator 23?

ZF:  It was like my time had come.  I always knew I had more power behind my strikes, I was flashy but not accurate enough.  I was getting too excited, not enough accuracy.  It was like everything came together, it was the biggest fight of my life.

BH: Some are saying it was the best knockout in women’s MMA history, how has your life changed since June 24th?

ZF:  I’m blessed, all the hard work that I’ve put into it it’s finally coming out.  People are finally seeing the real me and what I’ve been capable of.  It’s kind of hard doing all the interviews and everything but I feel blessed to be able to do what I’m able to do and give people a nice show.  I’m very happy right now.

BH: Your opponent in the first round of the tournament is scheduled to be the undefeated striker and submission specialist Jessica Pene, what are your thoughts on her?

ZF:  She looks to be a good striker, she has some decent ground.  Going into this fight I’m going to be a lot stronger, I think my striking is a little better than hers.  I’m looking to overpower her.  I’ve been training even harder than before and I haven’t really fought another striker other than the boxer Rokoczy, so I’m looking forward to actually facing another striker for once.  I have a feeling though that once she feels my power she’s gonna become a ground fighter really fast.

BH: Do you have any predictions for the fight?

ZF:   I’d like to get another knockout, everyone loved that.  After that last win, I don’t want anything less.  I’m going to train even harder to get that win.  I know I’m gonna be a lot stronger, whatever it takes to get the win, you know?

BH: One of the tournament participants, Lisa Ward, choked out your sister in the first round a week before your knockout of Rosie Sexton.  Are you looking forward to the possibility of avenging your sister?

ZF:  That was one of the main reasons why I wanted in on the tournament.  It is what it is, if anybody does anything to hurt someone’s family, you’ve gotta defend them.  I didn’t like it and I wanted to get that back.  The best way to do that is through me, my sister is a little less experienced and I feel I can definitely get the win in her honor.  I really want that fight, the sooner I can get this win the faster I can get to her.  That actually motivates me a lot.

BH: What aspect of your game do you feel you’ve improved the most since you began mixed martial arts?

ZF:  Everything actually, my striking is getting more accurate.  I’m a lot smarter than what I was before, I used to just kick, kick, kick but now I’m looking to set things up.  My jiu-jitsu is getting so much better, that armbar was the only thing I’d learned and I got that against Rakoczy which was pretty awesome.  I’ve improved a lot, I’m excited to be able to use everything.  These women are the tops in the world, so I can’t wait to be tested.

BH: Were you a big fan of Xena: Warrior Princess growing up?

ZF:  (laughs) Yes I was

BH: Is there any significance to the Roman soldier style pink skirt for your fights?

ZF:  Yes it is, it’s exactly what it is.  It’s been with me for a while, (the name).  She was a strong powerful woman.  Back then people couldn’t say my name (Zoila) so they just said Xena and it just fit perfect especially once I started fighting.

BH: Thank you very much for the interview, any final words?

ZF:  Thanks to everyone that’s supported me, my fans, my family, Premier Training, Fight Chicks, there’s so many people that I’m forgetting.  My nutritionist Mike’s power training, Vanquish Sports, they’ve helped with my banner and shirts.  Again, thanks to everyone that has supported me.