There is a beginning to every journey.

The fabled history of the fight game is filled with countless examples of hard-knock beginnings turned into solid gold on the power of talent and grit. Individuals blessed with power and speed who used the ring or the cage as the outlet to filter the chaos storming through their lives have lined the record books as some of the greatest to ever compete.

The very nature of the game is built on hardship, but the next generation of athletes rising in mixed martial arts is cut from a different cloth. Hannah Rokala is one of those fighters.

Where most teenagers wonder which avenues to explore fresh out of high school, the 18-year-old South Carolina native already has built a solid buzz surrounding her venture into MMA. Rokala has won both of her showings inside the cage, with both wins coming via stoppage. 

What is perhaps the most impressive aspect of Rokala's presentation is the fact she's still competing as an amateur and already possesses a level-headed approach to the road ahead.

"Both of my fights have been quick, but I'm looking forward to testing myself further," Rokala said. "I want to find those challenges where I have to fight out of bad positions and really push myself. That kind of happened in my first fight where I was put on my back, but jiu-jitsu is where this all started for me, so I was super comfortable there.

"I'm not in a rush to get anywhere because I want to feel ready. Even when I turn pro, I want to feel comfortable and know I'm skilled enough. I'm not going to just jump in there to be a decent fighter. I'm stepping in there to be the best."


The slick grappler's most recent victory came Saturday, Nov. 5, at USFFC 29, where she not only defeated Brianna Smith via first-round TKO, but did so in a fashion which made headlines around the MMA community.

Rokala landed a strike that forced Smith to throw up, and the strange but definitive method of victory drew the attention of established female fighters on social media.

"I didn't think it was over and was ready to keep fighting," Rokala said. "The referee stepped in and my coaches told me it was done. I was kind of shocked but more upset because I wanted to be in there longer.

"People saw her throwing up but I didn't see that. I saw her make a weird motion like something was about to happen, and I guess it did when the fight was over. She threw up in the bucket and that's what her corner told me as well.

"It was cool to be a GIF," she added with a laugh.



And while Rokala herself believes there is a long road to travel before she'll be ready to test herself against the best the world has to offer, she's certainly enjoying the attention and appreciation she's garnered with her work inside the cage.

Typically, fighters need to build a lengthy winning streak before even a hint of spotlight comes their way, but Rokala is far ahead of the game in that regard. Even though she's determined to travel at her own pace, Rokala is well aware of how some things are changing in regard to her fighting career.

"I can feel things getting bigger, and that's definitely cool, but I'm going to take things one step at a time," Rokala said. "People have told me the technique I have is something a lot of people at this stage of their experience don't have, but that only motivates me to keep working hard. After getting my second win, even though it was a short fight, I'm only getting more comfortable inside the cage. It kind of feels like that's where I'm meant to be.

"The increased attention is crazy and very exciting, but it's not something I'll let distract me. There are a lot of things for me to work on and improve. I'm very aware of that and I'll continue to work hard, but I have to be honest and say the increased recognition makes me want to train that much harder. It's all very exciting and I want to prove myself more every time out."



The landscape Rokala is currently navigating is one far different than many of the established names in women's MMA have traveled before her. Where the regional scene was once a difficult place to find a wealth of female talent, that is no longer the case around the globe.

Organizations like the UFC and Invicta FC constantly scout for the next star in the making, and the promotional success experienced by stars such as Ronda Rousey, Joanna Jedrzeczyk and Paige VanZant is proof female fighters resonate with the larger MMA fanbase.

That's not to say every fighter who puts on the gloves will break out the way the afore mentioned competitors have, but the small group of stars is a big jump from how things looked just several years back.

Rokala no doubt sees herself competing on the biggest stages some day down the line, but she also believes there is much work to be done before she'll be ready for the brightest lights to shine.

"Those are my goals," Rokala said. "I'll take my steps one at a time, but I do have overall goals, and I see myself doing those things.

"I'm ready to take on some good fights, but I want to take my development at the right pace. I know there are plenty of tough tests ahead of me, but there is no reason to jump into any situation that is over my head." 

"I like fighting on FloCombat, because that is going to open the doors to get tougher fights," she added. "I was really kind of upset with how things ended last night because I wanted to show off all the hard work and then she quit. I know it was a hard body kick that led to that happening, but I'm really looking forward to fighting tougher opponents."

FloCombat's hottest content, delivered to your inbox

Don't miss breaking news, feature stories, event updates, and more. Sign up for the FloCombat mailing list today.