Rachelle Leah is the blazing hot host of UFC: All Access, but she's no mixed martial tart.
By Justin Monroe; Photographs by Fairchild
Rachelle Leah can take a punch—as well as an elbow, knee, or headbutt. “I’m addicted to fights,” says the former UFC Octagon Girl and current host of Spike TV’s UFC: All Access. The 23-year-old Bay Area native grew up a self-described “tough girl” who played sports with her two older brothers. Before her career took off, she got used to blood and guts while studying to become a paramedic. But this isn’t an invitation to test Ms. Leah’s chin—she’s a lover (of MMA), not a fighter. As she says: No shots to the face, please.
Do you ever feel guilty that, instead of saving lives as a paramedic, you’re turning tough UFC fans to mush?
Rachelle Leah:[
Laughs.] Not at all. I love what I do.
Why did you want to be a paramedic?
Rachelle Leah: I loved the adrenaline rush. In school, you do ride-alongs and practice, and it’s a high you can’t explain when someone’s life is in your hands. But what I do is very exciting in its own way.
So do any fans pretend to pass out in front of you, hoping you’ll give them mouth-to-mouth?
Rachelle Leah: I have never had that happen before, thank God.
Well, oddly enough, I’m starting to feel a little faint.
Rachelle Leah: [
Laughs.]
Is it hard to watch a guy get pinned down and punched repeatedly in the face?
Rachelle Leah: I have no problem watching that. It will be stopped if it’s a dangerous situation.
Do you like guys to fight over you?
Rachelle Leah: Some girls definitely get turned on from guys fighting over them. I think that emotional fighting is ridiculous.