Women’s MMA pioneer Jen Case (Dr. JenJitsu) joins the MMA History Podcast for a raw look at the early days of the sport.
4-1 pro record with all finishes by submission, including two wins over Julie Kedzie. From training against men who tried to break her, Hook & Shoot battles, and low-pay grind to becoming a Jiu-Jitsu Worlds champion, Pan Ams winner, and earning her PhD in Human Nutrition & Performance.
A true pioneer built different.
Women’s MMA pioneer Jen Case (Dr. JenJitsu) joins Mike Davis for a rare, in-depth interview on the MMA History Podcast.
Jen went 4-1 as a pro, finishing every victory by submission — including two wins over fellow pioneer Julie Kedzie (armbar and triangle). From a small Kansas farming community, she went from self-defense classes and karate to learning Jiu-Jitsu from Mario Sperry VHS tapes, competing in men’s brackets just to face other women, and helping lay the foundation for women’s MMA when the sport barely wanted them around.
This episode dives into the raw realities of the early days: training in gyms where the guys tried to make her quit, $100 purses, paying to fight, long drives to shows, Hook & Shoot battles, facing tough opponents like Greta Hicks and Erin Toughill, wild backstage scenes, and the no-nonsense mindset of that era. After an ACL tear, Jen shifted focus to academics and built an elite Jiu-Jitsu career as a purple belt Worlds champion, brown belt Pan Ams winner, multiple-time Masters double gold medalist, and ADCC West Coast Trials competitor — while earning her PhD in Human Nutrition & Performance. She now coaches at Charlotte Jiu-Jitsu.
hell yeah, TTT for my favorite mma interviews!