The Ultimate Badass I POV Emily

Blog Post by Emily Günzler

When I first heard about the inaugural edition of "The Ultimate Badass" by chinkilla, I immediately knew—this is exactly what we needed. A night full of talented and courageous FLINTA* fighters from various martial arts disciplines like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, and MMA.

What made "The Ultimate Badass" so special to me was that, in most cases, competitions look like this for me: few to no opponents, yet high participation fees, mismatched and rigid weight classes, little media support, few opportunities for superfights due to lack of experience, not enough followers, no girls in my weight class, limited spots for FLINTA* competitors, and much more.

At "The Ultimate Badass" by Chinkilla, everything felt different: relentless effort to find opponents, flexible weight classes, and opportunities for everyone—from beginners to advanced fighters—regardless of their follower count.

At first, I didn’t sign up because I was planning to be in Kazakhstan to compete in the UWW World Championship. But after some thought, I decided to apply for my discipline, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, because I really wanted to be part of this event. I quickly got matched with an opponent and was able to prepare both mentally and physically for the fight.

Since I was already preparing for the UWW World Championships, which were scheduled shortly before the event, I was following an intense competition training program, allowing me to be well-prepared.

The fight card kept filling up with exciting matchups, and for some participants, it was their first time competing. Unfortunately, my initial opponent canceled on short notice, putting my participation at risk. But thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Chinkilla team, a new opponent was found—Tori from Spitfire stepped up to fight me.

We know each other well and have competed against each other before. While I was really grateful that she agreed to the match, I also felt a bit nervous. Personally, I tend to get even more anxious when I know my opponent in advance rather than when facing someone completely new. But for me, nerves are just part of the experience—I try to use them as a driving force.

On November 9, 2024, the big day had finally arrived. I arrived at Fenriz Gym in Kreuzberg around midday, and everything was already set up and ready for a sold-out event. The cage, where the fights would take place, was lit up, and the atmosphere was incredible from the start. You could feel the excitement—everyone was eager to put on a great show.

Fighters had traveled from all over Germany—some already knew each other, while others were meeting for the first time. Overall, the vibe was friendly and welcoming, making it hard to believe that things were about to get intense inside the cage.

After the medical check-up and rules meeting, we fighters had time to get into fight mode. Some warmed up with pad work, while others meditated or stretched.

I took my time since my fight was scheduled as the second-to-last match of the night. That meant I had plenty of time to watch the first fights and soak in the atmosphere.

Right from the first fight, it was clear—this event was different. The atmosphere was electric, with walkout music, professional photos, and video coverage.

Fight after fight, things moved quickly—literally. The matches were intense, and no one was holding back. My own fight was scheduled as the co-main event, the second-to-last of the night.

Shortly before my match, I started warming up. By the time it was my turn to walk out, I felt focused and ready. With an amazing team by my side, I stepped into the cage feeling confident and empowered.

I got to walk into the cage to my chosen entrance music, and then—finally—it was time to fight.

I barely remember the fight itself because I was so full of adrenaline. What I do know is that my opponent, Tori, didn’t make it easy for me. She pushed me hard, but in the end, I was able to secure the win with an armbar—and I was absolutely overjoyed.

But my happiness wasn’t just about winning. It was about being part of an event that gave so many up-and-coming female fighters the opportunity to compete in front of a sold-out crowd.

I was happy that some of my family members were in the audience that day, watching me do what I love. I was happy that we were able to bring together so many incredible female fighters.

Most of all, I was happy that we showed the world that martial arts is more than just a test of strength—it’s about inspiration, empowerment, and community.

I’ve competed in many grappling tournaments, but I’ve never felt this comfortable at an event before. Now, I can’t wait for the second edition of "The Ultimate Badass"! 🔥🥋