Ottawa MMA fighter aiming high, hoping to inspire Indigenous youth

An Ottawa mixed martial artistis setting her sights on the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and hoping to inspire Indigenous youth to get active and pursue martial arts.

Ashley Nichols, originally from Chippewasof the Thames First Nation in southern Ontario, movedto Ottawa lastDecember to train and coach at the Ottawa Academy of Martial Artsas she aspires to take the next steps in her professional MMA career.

"I've been at it for 11 years, so I've always had a goal to be a professional mixed martial artist. And I feel like all of the preparation up until this point has led me to my goals as well," said the 30-year-old, in between conditioningsessions.

Her next challenge is a four-woman MMA tournament at an event called TKO39: UltimatuminSaint-Roch-de-l'Achigan, Que., just north of Montreal Friday night.

While she's focused on that fight right now, she hopes to eventually break through to the biggest MMA promotion in the world: the UFC.

"I hope to put it all together, and keep the momentum going, and be good enough to face the best in the UFC," she said.

Discovered boxing at 15

Nichols's martial arts journey so far has taken her around the world, and it all began in her home First Nation when she discovered boxing at age 15.

"I found I was a bit bored, and I wasn't doing any sports or anything. I didn't like any of the team sports and all that. So I started doing boxing lessons on the reserve that were held two nights out of the week. And from there it just really clicked for me," she said.

She shows up with a notepad and a lunchbox every single day. She's very cerebral, she's very spiritual, and she's very tenacious. She just has an amazing work ethic.-Jeff Harrison, OAMA's headMuayThai instructor

At 19, she discovered Muay Thai, and it wasn't long before kickboxing changedher life. On top of the physical and mental focus it gave her, she was also drawn to its culture.

"I started researching a little bit of the traditional aspects of Muay Thai, and some of the history. And it's really rich in culture, and that's one of the reasons why I connected with it," said Nichols.

"Also being First Nations, we have a rich culture as well. There's ceremony, drumming, dance. And also in MuayThai, there's the same aspects."

Nichols's passion and dedication for the sport led her to Thailand, where she spent most of 2016racking up six professional Muay Thai wins and aWorld Professional MuayThai Federation super bantamweight title.

Although Muay Thai is her primary passion, she also trains in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

'Hope to inspire other youth'

"Ashley Nichols will never be outworked," said Jeff Harrison, OAMA's head Muay Thai instructor.

"She shows up with a notepad and a lunchbox every single day. She's very cerebral, she's very spiritual, and she's very tenacious. She just has an amazing work ethic."

Nichols has visited her home community and other First Nations in Ontario to talk to students in schools about her career and deliver seminars on self-defence and martial arts. She hopes to encourage young people to stay active and live healthy.

"In the martial arts, I've found I was always inspired by the champions, the women that were in martial arts, my teachers, other athletes that were in the gym training hard and doing really well," she said.

"So I was always inspired, and I find that's a lot what drives me as well. And one of my values is inspiration, so I do hope to inspire other youth."