First Round Knockout

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?
[Laughs.] Not at all. I love what I do.

Why did you want to be a paramedic?
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?
I have never had that happen before, thank God.

Well, oddly enough, I’m starting to feel a little faint.
[Laughs.]

Is it hard to watch a guy get pinned down and punched repeatedly in the face?
I have no problem watching that. It will be stopped if it’s a dangerous situation.

Do you like guys to fight over you?
Some girls definitely get turned on from guys fighting over them. I think that emotional fighting is ridiculous.

Do you box?
For a workout, yeah, but I mix it up. I tend to get extremely muscular when I box. My arms blow up. I like to look sporty, but I like to look like a girl.

Yeah, She-Hulk isn’t a good look. Would you spar?
I have got too much going on with my career to get hit in the face.

Say you had to take a shot—where would you take it?
My abs. They can handle it.