Ashlee “Mob Wife” Gambino: The New Breed of Women’s MMA
If you walk downtown Las Vegas, Nevada and take a stroll down Fremont Street for the Fremont Street Experience, chances are you will see Tuff-N-Uff’s women’s strawweight upcoming star, Ashlee “Mob Wife” Gambino. Ashlee Gambino interacts with fans and even spars with willing participants. The “Mob Wife” is moving her show from the streets of Las Vegas, to the cages of Las Vegas.
The Orgins
Gambino’s path began similar to many fighters, at a young age, just knowing fighting was her calling. “I’ve always been a tough girl. I grew up with three brothers so you can imagine how that went. I was the older sister so I was always beating them up and keeping them in line,” Gambino told MYMMANEWS.
“I’ve never had any intentions of even being athletic until I met my husband who got me into training. The rest is history!” Gambino even packed up, along with her husband Trap Gambino, and relocated from Ohio to Las Vegas due to the better training possibilities to make her reality a dream. Much of Gambino’s tale can be tracked through her Instagram which has over 4,000 followers. https://www.instagram.com/themobwife
Her Twitter is on the rise as well and also documents her journey. https://twitter.com/TheMobWife
Several times she has appeared on the Instagram storyline of UFC great Nick Diaz. Diaz often frequents Fremont Street and stops to watch Gambino perform. Gambino has had visits from several celebrities walking Fremont as well as UFC president Dana White.
The Vegas Arrival
The allure of a multitude of gyms and training facilities made it an easy decision for Gambino to relocate. Just recently she decided to make Syndicate MMA her temporary home. Gambino prefers to spend her time among multiple gyms as a way to get as much exposure to different coaches and methods as possible to develop her own style. Gambino told MYMMANEWS, “I’ve been all over at some of the best gyms in the world and trained under some legendary coaches, especially in Las Vegas. I’m a bit of a gym jumper. I don’t like to have one place to call my home gym, rather I like to learn from everywhere and put it all together.” Gambino has learned quite a bit of her jiu jitsu from fourth degree black belt Fredson Paixao, but Gambino enjoys the striking game mostly. “I have huge power in my right hand and I love to use it and would prefer to knock out every opponent with a nice overhand. I’m not a flow rolling or point fighter type. When the bell rings I go forward.”
The Start of a Career
Gambino is in the very early stages of her MMA career currently fighting under the Tuff-N-Uff banner. Tuff-N-Uff is arguably the largest and most prominent amateur MMA organization in the world. Beginning in 1994, the organization was granted permission to host the first ever amateur MMA event in the state of Nevada. Tuff-N-Uff has been a home to several MMA superstars including Ronda Rousey, Tonya Evinger, and Jon Fitch. Gambino took on her very first amateur bout on only 12 days’ notice in the strawweight division. Though the fight did not go her way, Gambino was able to get a taste of in-cage action and has been obsessed even more ever since.
“My first fight was at the Cox Pavilion in front of a sold out crowd so it’s only going to get bigger from there. My first goal is the AMMY Tuff-N-Uff belt at 115lbs, then the pro belt. Once I’m an established pro and have earned my shot, the UFC is the only place I plan on going.”
Gambino is looking to get back in action as soon as possible. Taking her very fight on 12 days’ notice shows her dedication and desire to be a professional mixed martial artist. “I have what it takes. I have the looks, the skills, the mind, and the heart. It is all I have, all I want or care about. I don’t have friends. I don’t go to clubs and I don’t watch TV. Fighting is my life and my work.” Gambino has the desire and showmanship which is becoming more prominent in today’s MMA. Look for her to continue to grow and become a permanent staple in the world of women’s MMA.
