Liz "Girl-Rilla" Carmouche began her MMA career in February of last year. She skipped amateurs and went straight to the pros. Her five year stint in the Marines taught her to be tough, but revealing her sexual orientation proved to be her toughest triumph of all them.

"After having to keep that aspect of my life secret while I was in the military, I realized that it wasn't the person I wanted to be," Carmouche said. "I wanted to be open and honest about it and take the risk rather than hiding it."

Now, as the first openly gay fighter to compete for the world's largest MMA organization, Carmouche's confession hasn't really gotten much attention. While she continues to focus on adding to her 13-1 record, her coach and fellow fighters haven't stuttered in their support.

"She's f--king amazing," said Carmouche's coach, Manny Hernandez. "She's fighting guys who have two or three times her experience, and doing well." He admires her strength, athleticism, and her willingness to take a beating and eagerness to give it right back.

It's those qualities that will clench MMA titles, not her sexual preference.

Source: MMA Fighting, Photo: Esther Lin

Tags: liz carmouche, lesbian mma fighter, first openly gay mma fighter, strikeforce, manny hernandez
Categories: Boxing / MMA