7 Things To Know About American MMA Sensation Alyse Anderson
In just her third fight inside the Circle, Alyse “Lil’ Savage” Anderson could make some major waves in ONE Championship’s women’s atomweight division.
On Friday, May 5, the American rising star will receive the biggest opportunity of her MMA career when she meets the division’s #1-ranked contender, Stamp Fairtex, at ONE Fight Night 10: Johnson vs. Moraes III on Prime Video.
The showdown – which will be featured on ONE Championship’s historic first live event in the United States at the 1stBank Center in Broomfield, Colorado – could instantly take the 28-year-old Michigan native’s career to new heights.
This is Anderson’s chance to beat a former two-sport ONE World Champion, crash the top-five rankings, and announce herself as a potential World Title challenger.
With that in mind, here are seven interesting facts about the hard-charging warrior who is on the verge of greatness.
#1 She Called Her Shot The Last Time Out
After a disappointing loss to Japanese phenom Itsuki Hirata in her ONE Championship debut, Anderson bounced back at ONE 157 in May 2022 with a spectacular first-round submission win over dangerous Indian striker Asha “Knockout Queen” Roka.
Making that victory more impressive is the fact that she predicted exactly how she’d get the job done.
“I feel like I’m going to finish on the ground,” the Michigan native said before the bout, and she did just that in sensational fashion.
#2 She’s Done Motocross Since Childhood
Fighting world-class opponents inside the Circle isn’t the only heart-pounding activity Anderson enjoys.
Starting at just 7 years old, “Lil’ Savage” has been involved in motocross – a form of off-road dirt bike racing. And when the American isn’t in fight camp preparing for her matches, she is satisfying her thrill-seeking urges on the track.
#3 She’s Open About Her Social Anxiety
Beyond her hardened exterior as an elite mixed martial artist, Anderson is a normal person with normal, everyday problems.
To that end, “Lil’ Savage” is an open book when it comes to her struggles with social anxiety, admitting that she often gets nervous doing simple things like going to the grocery store.
By sharing her difficulties, she’s connecting with fans who might have the same struggles, helping them to feel less alone and better able to cope with social anxiety.
#4 She Was A Frontline Healthcare Worker During The COVID-19 Pandemic
Trained as an emergency medical technician, Anderson spent the early days of the global coronavirus pandemic on the front lines treating patients suffering from COVID-19.
Like most fighters, the American standout saw her training interrupted due to the deadly pandemic. But unlike others, Anderson battled the virus head-on, risking her own health on a daily basis.
#5 She Loves Pop Music, Just Not During Camp
Ruthless and aggressive inside the Circle, “Lil’ Savage” admits that she likes to listen to “lovey-dovey breakup music” like Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish.
But her soft spot for pop music stops when she’s preparing for a fight. Instead, she forces herself into “gangsta mode” and tries to find more serious, slower-paced jams to help her through the rigors of a grueling training camp.
#6 She’s A Purple Belt In BJJ
The owner of two triangle choke finishes across her six professional MMA victories, Anderson has proven to be one of the division’s most skilled and dangerous grapplers.
Recently, the Michigan native received her purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, serving as further proof that she is a constant student of the game and a force to be reckoned with anytime the action hits the canvas.
#7 She Trains Alongside World Champions
In 2022, “Lil’ Savage” switched camps to the famed American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Florida.
Now training under some of MMA’s most respected and knowledgeable coaches, Anderson regularly shares the practice room with a number of the planet’s best fighters, including former ONE Flyweight World Champion Adriano Moraes and 17-time BJJ World Champion Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida.
