Déjà Vu! You’ve seen her before, strutting her stuff on MMA’s biggest stage, but away from The Octagon Edith Labelle takes on a persona that will be sure to have you doing a double take.
Where did you grow up and where are you now?
I actually grew up in the outskirts of Montreal, about 20 minutes out, in a little town, I still live here, but I’m thinking about moving to L.A. after the summer.
So you’re looking to be closer to your work with the UFC?
I would be closer, but it’s mostly because of the weather. I don’t think my body was built for the cold weather in Montreal. Summer is great in Montreal, but winter—oh my God! It kills me.
How are you handling the extensive travel from Canada?
I don’t really mind it. I love traveling, actually. What I hate, though, is connecting flights. Sometimes there are no direct flights from Montreal to where we’re going, or sometimes the fl ights are just too extensive, so they book connecting flights. That’s a little problem for me, but whatever.
You made your debut as a UFC Octagon girl at UFC 78 a year-and-a-half ago. How’s that been for you?
It’s been amazing. I travel more than I could have ever dreamed of, and everybody in the UFC is so nice and we’ve become so close. It’s like a little family. When I spend a few weeks without seeing them, I’m always happy to see them and to hang out and spend time with them. I love it.
How did the job with the UFC come about?
I was actually a big fan and I was doing some little MMA shows in Montreal, but it’s totally different here. It would be like once every two or three months. I was always watching [the UFC] on TV and I sent my resume and my pictures and I said why don’t I just try? The worst they can say is no, but they called me back. It was just the right timing.
I heard they called you within a week of receiving your photos.
Yeah, they actually asked me to come do a photo shoot. That was the first time I was meeting everybody and Arianny and I were shooting together. It was actually funny. We were doing pictures together for the UFC website and they were asking us to be real close at one point and to look at each other’s face. We were like one inch from each other’s face and, you know when you don’t know someone, we were laughing. It was really awkward, but we got along really well.
Who is your favorite fighter?
I have to say GSP!
I had a feeling you were going to say that!
Well, of course! Everybody thinks it’s because he’s from Montreal—no. I think he’s the best pound-for-pound fighter. He’s amazing. He’s got great technique. But also one of my favorites is Thiago Alves because he’s very explosive and he fi ghts very well. They’re going to be fighting soon at UFC 100, so I’m very excited about that.
What is the best fi ght that you’ve seen live?
There are so many! But I have to say the Rashad Evans vs. Lyoto Machida fi ght at UFC 98 was a great fight—one of the best. I think Machida’s going to be keeping the belt for a while.
What’s the worst job you had before getting this gig?
Ha ha! The worst job I ever had was bussing tables at a Chinese buffet restaurant. It was my first job, actually, when I was 15 years old.
You obviously have a gorgeous body. How do you stay in shape?
I try to eat clean—I try. I work out about four times a week. I do some Muay Thai once a week and I also love summer sports. I started wakeboarding last summer and I’ve skydived about three times.
Do you have any guilty pleasures?
I have a very sweet tooth. I can’t help myself. I love chocolate, of course, and cheesecake. Both mixed together is even better.
Who do you admire or look up to and why?
I would have to say Dana White. He’s a very respectable man and he started with almost nothing and he built this empire. It’s unbelievable. He’s a man of his word. If he says something, he’s going to do it.
Does a busy girl like you have time for a personal life?
I’m single right now and I am enjoying focusing on my career and spending time with my friends.
What kind of guy would it take to win you over?
A confident gentleman with a great sense of humor.
What kind of guy would you absolutely never date?
I hate cockiness, you know, the bragger who tries to impress me with this kind of car or that much money in their wallet. Stuff like that drives me crazy.
How would you describe yourself?
Well, I would say I have a very reserved side, and I’m very sensitive, but I also have a very wild and extreme side.
So how can your fans show you some proper love? MySpace, Facebook or Twitter?
I’m not a big computer person, but I would say Facebook because I don’t ever use my MySpace. Maybe Twitter soon and I’d like to get a website up.
Well, thanks so much for your time, Edith. We’ll see you in the Octagon real soon!
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