Wrestler Michelle Montague's long term goal is to become New Zealand's first female to enter the UFC beyond her debut at the Commonwealth Games ont he Gold Coast.
Michelle Montague at the 2017 Oceania Wrestling Championships Photo: United World Wrestling
After tireless training and competing on the domestic wrestling circuit, Michelle Montague found out a week ago that she had made the New Zealand Commonwealth Games wrestling team and while the pinnacle event has her excited - it's a step in the right direction for her ultimate dream.
As it stands five mixed martial artists currently compete in the UFC under the New Zealand flag, and Montague dreams to some day add to her name to that list.
"I know it might sound corny but the pinnacle dream is to make it into the UFC one day." says Montague.
"Of course it takes baby steps, I need to get more amateur fights in New Zealand, make the world champs team, listen to what my coach Carlo Meister says and keep progressing."
The 24-year-old is no stranger to physical contact or competition. Not only has she competed alongside Olympic BMX rider Sarah Walker in the Oceania continental championship,
Sarah Walker (NZL), Holly Woodcock-Takurua (NZL), Michelle Montague (NZL) and Daniel Franks (NZL). BMX, Oceania Continental Championship Photo: ©PHOTOSPORT 2010 www.photosport.co.nz
she's a forward for the Waikato women's rugby team who made it to the Farah Palmer Cup semi-final last year.
Michelle Montague of Waikato making a tackle during the 2017 Semi-Final of the Farah Palmer Cup Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2017 www.photosport.nz
The Matamata native has trained and competed at multiple national jiu jitsu competitions, and has fought MMA under her Hamilton gym Core MMA - the same gym as current UFC fighter Luke Jumeau. It was at these sessions she was introduced to wrestling, and her coach Pete Pouri-Lane began preparing the team for Oceania Champs and ultimately the Commonwealth Games.
Montague will make her games debut in the Gold Coast which she hopes will give her valuable experience towards her goal of fighting at the MMA World championships later this year - where she will need to make her mark if she is to make it on the biggest stage against the best female fighters in the world some day in the future.
"This is my third year of wrestling, but from the minute I started, it wasn't just for fun and I wanted to set some goals - one of them was the Commonwealth Games." says Montague.
"If I stay at this weight I would have to fight beasts like Cyborg (she laughs) so either that or I can drop weight to fight in the lighter divisions."
From now until she competes on the Gold Coast in April the rising star will continue to wrestle competitively with a range of partners, both men and women, to gain more mat time and experience.
"I look forward to the Commonwealth Games then my immediate focus will be playing for Waikato in the Farah Palmer Cup." says Montague.
"but a medal, I have never been part of something so massive, it would be unbelievable. It truly is a privilege to be part of team New Zealand and I'm just thankful to have this opportunity ."
- RNZ
