Invicta FC star Nicdali "The Night Queen" Rivera-Calanoc said on March 1 in an exclusive interview with Long Island MMA Examiner Eric Holden that she's at peace with the ridiculous fan reaction to the now-famous weigh-in video from her 2011 XFO fight against Felice Herrig.
While the Rivera-Calanoc vs Herrig fight notched close to 25,000 views on YouTube, the weigh-in video went absolutely viral.
In 12 months, Rivera-Calanoc vs Herrig's weigh-in fight video drew over 100,000 views, proving that a large number of fans care more about fighter sex appeal than the action inside the cage.
Rivera-Calanoc says "it is what it is" and doesn't let it bother her.
"It's cool and sad at the same time," Rivera-Calanoc said of the XFO weigh-in video notching more views than the fight. "I'm just me. I've been modeling since I was a kid and I've been doing MMA since age 18. They are both a part of who I am."
Rivera-Calanoc has other things to worry about, namely a battle against veteran striker Cassie "Sassy" Rodish on Apr. 5 at Ameristar Casino Hotel in Kansas City, Missouri, in an Invicta FC 5 bout that may have serious title implications.
Rodish, a 32-year-old atomweight, is riding a four-fight win streak, while Rivera-Calanoc dropped two of her last three. Despite being five years younger and considered by some to be the underdog, "The Night Queen" isn't afraid to square off against a legit top ten atomweight such as Rodish.
"I don't consider myself the underdog," Rivera-Calanoc said of her fight against Rodish. "I have more experience, and I'm very hungry for the win. I just want to keep improving. But when I win, I hope to get a title shot."
MMA fans can check out Rivera-Calanoc on Twitter @Nicdali, or live in action on Apr. 5 at Invicta FC 5.
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