Initially learning karate, Muay Thai and Brazilian jiu jitsu nearly three years ago, Ms Connors will later this month go to another level when she makes her mixed martial arts debut in Canberra in the first Australian female gauntlet eliminator.

The smiling assassin will battle Canberra’s Belinda Sedgwick for the chance to become Australia’s first 60-65 kilogram female champion.

In a sport often dubbed brutal and violent, Ms Connors is a refreshing change of pace.

“This will be the biggest highlight of my sporting career,” she said.

“The fitness level and concentration is unbelievable. I know a lot of people that probably wouldn’t be able to do it.

“You go in there to show technique and skill, that’s what it’s all about.”

Opportunity is the biggest drawcard for Ms Connors.

Since taking up the sport, she has travelled to Thailand to complete training programs while also competing in exhibition fights throughout NSW.

Accomplished as a boxer and in Muay Thai, she believes the step up to MMA is the next challenge.

“I originally got involved for personal reasons,” she said.

“It helped my self esteem and confidence. I’ve taken a real love of Muay Thai.”

Currently, Ms Connors is training out of a private gym with coach Ben Quarmby, an accomplished MMA fighter.

Now with her Storm Damage MMA bout looming, Ms Connors says she will ramp up her training in the lead-up to the August 31 fight.

“It’s been fantastic so far, MMA United and 28hundred, everyone has really rallied around me to get me to this point,” she said.

“The support has been unbelievable.”