Roxanne Modafferi has fought in multiple organizations in the United States, Japan and England. A true mixed martial arts veteran, “The Happy Warrior” submitted to a rear-naked choke from former Invicta Fighting Championships titleholder in October 2011. Modafferi, who has not been finished since, will get a second crack at Honchak when the two flyweights face off at “The Ultimate Fighter 27” Finale this Friday at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.
4: Appearances in Japanese promotion Smackgirl. Modafferi majored in Japanese language and literature and minored in linguistics at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and she spent her junior year, from September 2003 to June 2004, in Japan. During her stay, she fought twice for Smackgirl.
3: Fights against former Bodog Fight women’s bantamweight champion Tara LaRosa. They split their first two meetings before squaring off again at Invicta 8 on Sept. 16, 2014. Modafferi was awarded a unanimous decision, as she snapped a six-fight losing streak and took a 2-1 lead in their head-to-head series.
2: Times cast on “The Ultimate Fighter.” Modafferi competed on Season 18, emerging from the elimination round with a victory over Valerie Letourneau before losing to Jessica Rakoczy in the quarterfinals. “The Happy Warrior” later appeared on “The Ultimate Fighter 26,” as she knocked out Shana Dobson and Emily Whitmire before bowing to Sijara Eubanks in the semifinals. However, Modafferi was called on to replace Eubanks in the tournament final when a blown weight cut forced the latter to withdraw.
1: “Fight of the Night” bonus earned. Modafferi was awarded for her short-notice efforts against Nicco Montano at “The Ultimate Fighter 26” Finale, even though she lost a one-sided unanimous decision in a battle for the inaugural Ultimate Fighting Championship women’s flyweight title.
8: Career title fights. Modafferi won championships in the Fusion Fight League, Fatal Femmes Fighting and International Fighting Championships but came up short in the UFC, Invicta, Strikeforce and Ring of Combat. She also won the 2007 K-Grace open weight grand prix.
6: Divisions in which she has competed. Modafferi has fought as a flyweight, bantamweight, featherweight, lightweight, welterweight and middleweight.
35: Fights on her resume. Modafferi started her pro career in 2003 and has compiled a 21-14 record.
2: Takedowns landed against Honchak in their first encounter under the Black Eye Promotions banner on Oct. 1, 2011. However, Honchak outstruck Modafferi 71-59 and cinched a fight-ending rear-naked choke 1:46 into the third round.