LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. — While women’s Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighting is still a relatively small sport in comparison to men’s, Evva “No Fear” Johnson has guaranteed herself a fight.  She’s just been ranked the No. 1 female, 125 pound MMA division amateur in the world.

“It pretty much guarantees me a fight,” she said, as other competitive fighters will be looking to strip her of that title.

The 27-year-old learned her new ranking several months after her last fight in Fort Mitchell, Ky.

“I was ecstatic,” Johnson said.  “I didn’t expect that.”

During the February 18th Absolute Action fight, Johnson was defending her title as the No. 1 female in her weight division in the state, which she’s held since June 2011.  In all, Johnson hold three titles — the No. 1 female, 125 pound MMA in Kentucky, and the No. 1 female, 135 pound MMA in both Kentucky and Ohio.

Approximately 90 students from the London Karate Academy where she teaches came out to support her during her Fort Mitchell fight. 

“It was pretty cool,” she said.  “There they were with my fight shirts on.”

Johnson is the chief instructor at London Karate Academy, located next to Shiloh Express on Ky. 192.  The Somerset native moved to London in 2010 when the academy opened.

“The students and the school are my family,” she said.

Jeff Turner, the owner of London Karate Academy, is also her coach and manager.  He is responsible for finding sponsors to help pay for supplements, travel and training camps, all which can be costly for a MMA fighter.  Two of her main sponsors locally are Powerhouse Gym in London and Attorney Scott Foster of Somerset. But even with sponsors, some of the cost must be paid out of her own pocket.

Coaches must also vouch for the person who’s training.

“There are more state regulations now,” Johnson said.  “They want to know people have been training and can defend themselves.”

She’s only been competing in MMA for four years.  She has a background in karate, having practiced martial arts for 20 years.

“I still love karate,” she said.  “The structure and discipline help me keep a level head in MMA.”

When she started fighting in 2008, it was unheard of that a woman would do MMA.

“It’s more mainstream today,” she said.  “You can see women’s MMA on television and pay-per-view. It became very popular, very fast. For me, it was another challenge, to establish that we (women) can hang with the guys in any sport.”

While karate is steeped in history and tradition, MMA is still a young sport.  The main difference between karate and MMA, Johnson said, is that MMA does not use weapons.  However, a participant cannot fight in MMA sanctioned fights until he/she is 18 years old.

The men’s division is “overcrowded,” she explained, but the women’s division is still small. When she started in 2008, it was likely she was one of the youngest female fighters.

“Now, because of the popularity (of MMA) we are seeing more younger girls compete,” she said.  “I’m probably one of the oldest.”

The sport itself has greater popularity on the west coast. Most professional MMA fighters live and train in California and MMA gyms are few and far between in Kentucky. Johnson’s main training facility is actually located in Springfield, Ill., a gym called Team Warrior Concepts. It keeps her on the road a lot, travelling to and from London.  She travels twice a month to Illinois to train.

Women have a longer career in MMA, Johnson said.  “We tend to protect ourselves more from injury.”

Johnson has never been injured during a fight.  She has suffered injuries during training, such as a fractured hip and torn ligaments in her knees, but she’s been fortunate in the ring. 

When healthy, Johnson aims to fight every three to four months to stay competitive.  She finds strength in her faith.

“I’m different from other MMA fighters,” she said.  “Before a fight, I read the Bible to prepare.”

Scripture is the inspiration for her fighter name — “No Fear.”  Two verses — Psalm 144:1 and 2 Tim 1:7 — are displayed on her fight shirt for all to see.

“At first, people would look at me funny,” she said.  “Most other fighters are psyching themselves up, warming up.  I’m reading scripture.  This is how I’m going to act.  I’m not going to speak bad about my opponent.”

Johnson feels her mental game is just as, if not more, important than her physical game. 

“I’ve trained, I’m ready physically,” she said.  “But it’s God’s grace and mercy that keeps me strong.”

Likely because of her karate fundamentals, Johnson shows respect for her opponent’s health and safety too.

“I always pray for my opponent too,” she said. “I don’t want to see anyone get hurt.  I’m in it for the competition, but I want a good fight.”

 Her next fight is September 15, although there is no title to defend in the Freedom Fight series.

Her most important goal, however, is “being a good role model for my kids (students).

“My kids are very supportive.  It gives me motivation.  If they want a career (in martial arts), they can be successful. It gives my students something to strive to, if that’s what they want.  I’d rather they be encouraged than discouraged, and have something positive in life.

“I will teach forever.  I’m going to compete as long as I can,” she said.

editor@sentinel-echo.com