Meet Gianna Puppo | MMA Ring Card Girl and Nurse (PICS)
Hey MMA NUTS! My name is Gianna Puppo (yes poop with an O). I know you have been introduced to my fellow Phoenix Girls (Natasha Wicks and Shannon Irke) but I am the missing link! The basics…I am from California, born and raised. I grew up in a small town where tipping cows and cruising main street were the coolest things to do. I took up sports as a kid to avoid boredom, and turned out pretty talented. I played volleyball, basketball, softball and track up through high school…love sports!
Stepping into the real world, I went on to get an education. I moved to Sacramento, where I obtained a BA in Child Development from Sacramento State University. During this time, I was blessed with a son who has been my motivation for life ever since. I decided to go back to school to become a nurse which I finished a little over a year ago. Helping save lives one day at a time.
So where does MMA play into all of this? Sacramento hosts a growing MMA community, primarily due to Team Alpha Male, training out of Urijah Fabers’ Ultimate Fitness. The gym has hosted a few local fights that I ring carded for. I was later introduced to Natasha Wicks who asked me to join her as a ring girl for Invicta Fighting Championship 1, which is the only all WMMA organization. The rest really is history. I have seen hundreds of fights and have respect for how hard fighters train. However, watching women fight offers a different kind of inspiration. Some of these women have trained MMA since they were kids, some are newer to the sport, some are mothers and some are just really bad ass. They all have heart and bring it with them every time they enter the octagon. It is awesome to be up close to the action! Needless to say I love my job as an Invicta Phoenix girl.
In addition to being a grownup and a Phoenix girl, staying fit has become a lifestyle for me. I am a lover of yoga, CrossFit, TRX (certified), hiking, just about anything challenging. I live/love life with no expectations and smile my way through it all. It truly has been a pleasure…Peace!
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