Can I go pro even though I'm small and 22?

[PwrTrip]

I recently started Muay Thai and BBJ about a month ago. I've found that I really love it; I go about 2-3 nights/week.
That being said, regardless if I can go pro or not, I will still continue training, as I really enjoy it. Not gonna lie, I'd be a bit disappointed lol

To sum it up, I'm a 22 year old female college student, and what worries me is not so much my age, though sometimes I feel like it's a little tiny bit old, it's my size.
I'm 4'11, close to 5'0, and weight about 100 lbs. I haven't measured myself, but from what I've been told, I've got short legs and a bit of a longer torso. I'm the only female in my BJJ class, so I haven't had a chance to practice with another girl, and 4/5 of the females I've met at Muay Thai were just starting out as well. I was planning on maybe visiting a different gym, as there are more women at the other location and seeing if I can roll with them from time to time.
The only other prior training I've had was karate about 11 years ago, so practically starting out with nothing.

Is it likely that I still have potential to go pro? And what should I focus more with my body type, types of punches/kicks, style, etc. Any tips on techniques I should focus more on in either MT or BJJ? I'll practice everything, but I want to know what to stress more.
Thanks so much everyone, I appreciate it.

 

[clashnat]

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

I bet this is another troll account, probably by the same guy who's been trolling the sherdog forums since forever.

 

[PwrTrip]

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

I bet this is another troll account, probably by the same guy who's been trolling the sherdog forums since forever.

No lol I'm a real person and totally serious.

 

[clashnat]

No lol I'm a real person and totally serious.

 

[NVSemin]

if you really wanted to do it, if you really were certain, you would have not asked about here .... so you doubt. Maybe you want to turn pro to prove something to the girls? If it is the case, do not do it

 

[PwrTrip]

if you really wanted to do it, if you really were certain, you would have not asked about here .... so you doubt. Maybe you want to turn pro to prove something to the girls? If it is the case, do not do it

It's not that, I just want to challenege myself, which is why I've started in the first place. But my size just gets me nervous, considering I'm super new, and I'n sure the guys have gone really easy on me, I'm not sure of myself right now.

 

[n.diazismylife1999]

22 isn't too old for a female if you've been gifted with any athleticism at all. Combat sports for women is a small pond and it doesn't take that much to be competitive in it. Your weight isn't a problem as long as you compete in an organization that has your weight class...

 

[j123]

It's not that, I just want to challenege myself, which is why I've started in the first place. But my size just gets me nervous, considering I'm super new, and I'n sure the guys have gone really easy on me, I'm not sure of myself right now.

Then put the aspirations of going pro on hold for now. You just started, once you have a good amount of amateur fights under your belt, you can consider going pro then.

As for which type of fighter you should be? You're asking a question that only you (or someone who can monitor a visual progress of your daily training aka. your coach) can provide the answer for, some people may have the ideal striking physique but are grapplers by nature, vice versa. Some people don't like getting hit and shut down, others end up lost and confused when it comes to grappling. There's just too many variables, of which we won't know just by reading your OP, and this is something your coach(es) should provide insight on.

 

[PwrTrip]

Then put the aspirations of going pro on hold for now. You just started, once you have a good amount of amateur fights under your belt, you can consider going pro then.

As for which type of fighter you should be? You're asking a question that only you (or someone who can monitor a visual progress of your daily training aka. your coach) can provide the answer for, some people may have the ideal striking physique but a grapplers by nature, vice versa. Some people don't like getting hit and shut down, others end up lost and confused when it comes to grappling. There's just too many variables, of which we won't know just by reading your OP, and this is something your coach(es) should provide insight on.

Hm, you're right. I guess I'd say I'm still finding out what my style is, as of right now, I prefer grappling, but it may just be because I feel like my hits are weak...

 

[fightingrabbit]

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

I bet this is another troll account, probably by the same guy who's been trolling the sherdog forums since forever.

Coulda swore this same exact thread with this same exact "girl just beginning and wants to fight" scenario was on the stand up before.

Anyways. Post nudes TS so we know you're legit.

 

[FadeLess]

tbh with you , ive allways trained and dealed with guys and there are allways all kinds of guys that say they wanna go pro . specially in theyre begginings ... strangely, or not, they usually are the 1st ones to stop showing up for training.
in my personal opinion it is vital to have a goal and an overall look at things ,but youve gotta keep it real , take it on step at a time , reach one small goal at a time ... and allways believe in yourselfe, no matter what.
Continue training cause it will only benefit your body , mind and soul ... and continue studies , cause one should allways have a contingency plan ... tho im not the kind of guy that quites from his dreams , it is known that the bigger the dream the harder the fall ... and thats precisely why i keep on chasing my dreams ... and i wish you all the luck and mental fortitude to reach yours
Cheers

 

[PwrTrip]

tbh with you , ive allways trained and dealed with guys and there are allways all kinds of guys that say they wanna go pro . specially in theyre begginings ... strangely, or not, they usually are the 1st ones to stop showing up for training.
in my personal opinion it is vital to have a goal and an overall look at things ,but youve gotta keep it real , take it on step at a time , reach one small goal at a time ... and allways believe in yourselfe, no matter what.
Continue training cause it will only benefit your body , mind and soul ... and continue studies , cause one should allways have a contingency plan ... tho im not the kind of guy that quites from his dreams , it is known that the bigger the dream the harder the fall ... and thats precisely why i keep on chasing my dreams ... and i wish you all the luck and mental fortitude to reach yours
Cheers

Thank you for the advice! I'll continue, I was feeling like I was just suffocating from just going to school and work. I've had other activities, but nothing had felt as good as when I'm in the gym practicing. I'm a year away from graduating with my engineering degree, so I definitely won't quit it either! Good luck to you reaching your goals as well

 

[n.diazismylife1999]

Hm, you're right. I guess I'd say I'm still finding out what my style is, as of right now, I prefer grappling, but it may just be because I feel like my hits are weak...

Well, that's certainly something to keep in mind -- women tend to have a harder time finishing with strikes, whereas everyone has the strength for submissions. Becoming a great grappler should probably be your principal goal.

 

[Ranger]

The cut off is 23 ma'am

 

[bad seed]

The hardest part will be finding suitable sparring partners and getting matched for fights. Do you read Sylvie Douglass-Itu's blog? She had to move to Thailand to find fights and she's bigger than you.

 

[TheNightmanCometh]

I recently started Muay Thai and BBJ about a month ago. I've found that I really love it; I go about 2-3 nights/week.
That being said, regardless if I can go pro or not, I will still continue training, as I really enjoy it. Not gonna lie, I'd be a bit disappointed lol

To sum it up, I'm a 22 year old female college student, and what worries me is not so much my age, though sometimes I feel like it's a little tiny bit old, it's my size.
I'm 4'11, close to 5'0, and weight about 100 lbs. I haven't measured myself, but from what I've been told, I've got short legs and a bit of a longer torso. I'm the only female in my BJJ class, so I haven't had a chance to practice with another girl, and 4/5 of the females I've met at Muay Thai were just starting out as well. I was planning on maybe visiting a different gym, as there are more women at the other location and seeing if I can roll with them from time to time.
The only other prior training I've had was karate about 11 years ago, so practically starting out with nothing.

Is it likely that I still have potential to go pro? And what should I focus more with my body type, types of punches/kicks, style, etc. Any tips on techniques I should focus more on in either MT or BJJ? I'll practice everything, but I want to know what to stress more.
Thanks so much everyone, I appreciate it.

The chances of a female weight class ever being close to your weight would be unlikely. BJJ competitions might be your best bet for competing as a professional in combat sports.

 

[Jimmy Jazz]

maybe you should start lifting.