Sweden’s Filippa Ikoona (0-0) will become the newest Nordic female fighter to turn pro this Saturday. “It’s a long-awaited dream that will soon come true. I”m so excited.” says the 22-year-old to MMA Viking that will head to Latvia to compete at FREON: JFX Fights 7.

Ikoona Turns Pro Saturday (Photo by Kenta Hammarström)

“I started with boxing when I was 13 at fittjas ungdomsgård. And basically fell in love with martial arts. Then I tried MMA and moved to Pancrase Gym when I was 17.” says Ikoona that will compete at 53 KG (117 lbs) to help accommodate her Lithuanian opponent Marija Ratautaite (0-0) that will also make her pro debut. “She is little heavier than me.”

“I really wanted the opportunity to turn pro… and now I just got it. I’ve been ready for a while now.”

Ikoona may be a novice in the MMA cage, but she has competed in Muay Thai, boxing, grappling, shootfighting, sanshou, and amateur MMA.

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“My coaches have done some research. And we think she is a judo / sambo girl, so I will have to keep my distance, using my boxing and lowkicks and see how she responds. It’s her first pro fight as well so you can’t be sure. Maybe she’s a boxer. Who knows. But it doesn’t really matter. It is what it is and I will find out in the cage.”