Doragon Sports spoke to Alice Michalkiewicz ahead of her big fight at Hexagone 23 with Aleksandra Toncheva. We spoke to her about the upcoming bout, fighting with Hexagone, and her career in general.
The fighters both have tied overall records. Michalkiewicz is 3-3 in her career, while her Bulgarian opponent is 5-5-1. Both fighters must leave Paris with a winning record to challenge the strawweight rankings.
So this is your second fight with Hexagone; what is it like working with them?
This is the top promotion in France. I admire its professional status and the care it shows for fighters and our welfare.
What do you think about Toncheva, then?
She’s going to give it everything. She’s not afraid to go to warn. Neither am I, though. We are both brave fighters, so it should be really exciting for the fans.
What’s riding on this fight for you?
Honestly, I’ve got nothing to lose. [Toncheva] she’s ranked 80th in the matrix. She’s got a lot of experience in promotions like KSW and Bellator, which I respect. She’s come up against some tricky opponents.
How have you trained for this fight?
So, my coach and I’ve changed a few things around for this fight. I have to fight my opponent and not the spectacle. I’ve got to learn how to ‘let go’ of the moment and show my best self, which I do off-camera when I’m on a big card.
What do you think are your strengths going into this fight?
“Fly like a butterfly, sting like a bee!”. I’m a complete technical fighter – but I do love striking. I want to show the world who I am with these strikes.
So, what is your training like at USC?
USC is great. I can’t praise my coach enough. He organises everything for me, literally, A-Z, from sunrise to sunset. All I have to do is come in and work on the training, and the coach eliminates any form of outside stress.
He spent money to buy a proper fighting cage for the USC facility, which means that we’ve been able to replicate in-fight conditions. I’m ready for this fight.
What is your goal while you’re with Hexagone?
Eventually, I want the championship belt. It’s going to be a step-by-step process: winning fights and improving constantly.
What’s been the most complex challenge in your career to date?
Probably my debut. I was fighting in Barcelona on an AFL card – just after COVID. I think it was against Mirela Garcia. She had fight experience before, but it was my first time. It was later considered as the promotions fight of 2020. I want more fights like that!
If you could fight any MMA fighter, who would you pick?
It’s a great question. I’d really like the fight I never had. Last year, I was booked to fight Ashley Nichols at PAW FC in a title fight. Sadly, she passed away two weeks before the fight. She was a complete fighter with whom I wanted to share the cage. RIP.
What would you say to someone who wants to start MMA?
Always trust the process. Never give up. Realise the progress every day. There will be difficult times, but power through them. You will have the ultimate satisfaction when you come out on the other side.
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