WONDER WOMAN, Amanda Lucas

Amanda Lucas may have first gained fame due to who her father is, Star Wars creator George Lucas, but she is carving out a fighting career in mixed martial arts the good old fashion way…hard work!

 

Amanda, you got your start fighting in a show that was in New Zealand. How did you get involved in MMA, and what made you want to be a professional fighter?

I got started in MMA by accident. I went to take some muaythai and BJJ classes with my husband. I wasn’t really into the idea, but I went along anyway. The next thing you know, I was hooked and wanted to start competing and fighting.

Where is your home base gym and who are you training with these days? Is there anyone you’d like to train with?

Right now I am splitting my time between San Francisco and Las Vegas. When I am in California I train with the Skrap Pack at Gilbert Melendez’s gym, as well as with Ganyao Fairtex and strength and conditioning with Diablo Barbell. In Las Vegas I train at Throwdown Training Center with John Wood and the fighters there. I am truly lucky as I get to train with some of the best in the world.

You have recently fought and won in Japan. What was that experience like and how were you treated?

Fighting in Japan was one of the coolest experiences of my life! What a great way to get the ring rust off. I was treated like a mini celebrity, which was exciting and at times a little overwhelming. DEEP is a wonderful promotion. I am looking forward to fighting for them again.

You get a fair amount of attention due to the Lucas name and the success of your father, do you get that same type of attention in Japan, or do you feel they appreciate you more as a fighter?

I definitely felt appreciated as a fighter, but I got a lot of attention in Japan simply because of my name. People are curious about me because they are fans of my father. That is a ton of pressure, but I love it! I have never had fans or people ask for my autograph for MMA, only for Star Wars. What I hope is that I can help promote woman’s MMA by drawing in fans who may initially be curious about me because of my name but then become fight fans.

You really could have had an easy life with your background, but you chose the life of a fighter, and from all accounts you have never asked or gotten any special treatment in the fight game. That is admirable, and I know you get a lot of respect for that attitude. Who do you look up to in the fight game and who inspires you inside or outside the ring?

Obviously, I am very fortunate being the daughter of successful parents, but I do have to support myself and find my own path in life as I am not the one in the family who created a successful film franchise! My parents worked hard to get to where they are and tried to instill the same work ethic in all of their children. I hope the first thing that my coaches and training partners will tell you is that I am a hard worker and that I don’t want to be treated differently. I am there to learn and soak up all I can. I work extra hard to prove myself.

There are so many people that I respect and look up to. First of all, I couldn’t do anything that I do without my husband, Jason, and my parents. I have known and worked with Gilbert Melendez since I started training 7 years ago. He is an amazing fighter and wonderful coach. I have just recently started working with John Wood at Throwdown Las Vegas and I can already see what a great coach/ cornerman he is. I have 2 whole teams of awesome training partners, but my girls Kat and Colleen rock!

Where do you see your fight career taking you, and what are you goals?

My goal is to fight as consistently as possible for the next few years, and to move down to 145lbs. I want a belt!! I want to be the 145lb champ for DEEP!!

For all the Star Wars fans out there, what was it like growing up with your father as the creator, and even being in the movies yourself?

I had a pretty cool childhood, but my dad tried to keep it as normal as possible. He came to my parent-teacher conferences and all of my dance shows. He was always home for dinner and tried to travel as little as possible. He usually took me with him when he did. That’s not to say that I didn’t get to do cool stuff like go to movie premiers or movie sets, but he always tried to keep me and my siblings down to earth.
Being in the movies was a lot of fun. I got to have creative make-up and costumes, and basically play dress up. There was a little pressure because everyone knows who your dad is and the reason you got the part (however small it was), especially when I did the scene with my one line ( which was eventually cut!).

You have always represented Fight Chix. What does Fight Chix mean to you, and do you have any favorite items?

Fight Chix rocks! You guys have always taken care of me. It’s awesome to see a successful woman in the fight business, supporting female fighters. I can’t possibly pick a favorite item!! I always rock your tanks and tees, and I love your vale tudo shorts.

I want to thank my husband and partner in crime, Jason. He looks out for me and is an awesome husband. Also my mom. She is a strong, amazing woman and a big part of my life.

Posted on Friday, September 30th, 2011 at 2:32 am. Filed under: featured, wonder woman Tags: Amanda Lucas, Deep, fight chix, Scrap Pack RSS 2.0 feed.