About Women of Combat
Built on the mats, for women everywhere
Women of Combat began with a simple idea: women train better, grow faster and feel more at home in combat sports when they have a community of other women around them.
Our story
How it all began 🥊
Katrina Fisher didn’t start MMA until after having her daughter. Five years later, she has become one of the country’s most accomplished female amateur MMA athletes—representing England, winning IMMAF World and European titles, and now embarking on a professional career.
Her journey began with the same first step every beginner takes: walking through the door.
Martial arts transformed Katrina’s life. It gave her confidence, purpose, friendships and opportunities she could never have imagined. Through Women of Combat, she wants more women to discover what it could mean for them.
Along the way, she experienced how isolating it can feel to be a woman in a male-dominated sport. Too often, women enter a gym to find they are the only female in the room. Finding other women to train with, learn from and grow alongside can make all the difference.
Katrina decided to help create that community.
For the past two years, she has personally funded women-focused events, bringing together beginners, experienced athletes and guest coaches—including wrestling coaches from America. Through seminars, open mats and interclubs, women have found training partners, encouragement and opportunities to develop.
Those events became the foundations of Women of Combat CIC.
Today, as a registered Community Interest Company, we are building on that work to make martial arts more accessible to women and girls. Our ambitions include removing financial barriers, supporting women affected by domestic abuse—a cause close to Katrina’s heart—and opening pathways for those who dream of becoming athletes.
We are here for the woman who wants to keep fit and enjoy a chat in good company. The woman rebuilding her confidence. The complete beginner who feels nervous about stepping onto the mats. And the woman who might one day compete, but hasn’t yet realised she could.
You don’t need to arrive with confidence, experience or competitive ambitions. You deserve a place to begin—and a community that supports wherever your journey takes you.
Empowered women, empowering women. 💜
Founder's story
Katrina Fisher
“MMA changed my life. It saved me, and I want other women to have the chance to discover what it could do for them.”
I didn’t start MMA until after I had my daughter. When I first walked into the gym, I had no idea where that decision would take me.
Five years later, I have represented England, become an IMMAF World and European Champion, and had the privilege of coaching others as a Team England coach. Now, I’m taking the next step into a professional fighting career.
I’m proud of those achievements, but the biggest changes happened long before the medals.
MMA gave me purpose, friendships and something that was mine to work towards. Training taught me to keep showing up, even when things felt difficult. Gradually, I began to believe in myself and recognise a strength I hadn’t known was there.
I want more women to have the opportunity to experience that feeling.
I also know how daunting it can be to enter a combat sports gym, particularly when you’re the only woman in the room. You might wonder whether you’ll fit in, whether you’re fit enough, or whether you’ve left it too late to begin.
My own journey has taught me how much can change once you find the right support.
That’s why I created Women of Combat.
For the past two years, I have personally funded women’s training events, seminars, open mats and interclubs, including sessions with wrestling coaches visiting from America. I wanted to bring women together to share knowledge, find training partners and encourage one another.
Watching that community grow has made me determined to reach more women.
Supporting women affected by domestic abuse is a cause close to my heart. Through Women of Combat CIC, I want to create opportunities for women to rebuild confidence at their own pace, without pressure to explain their circumstances or become someone else’s idea of “strong”.
Financial circumstances should not decide who gets to participate either. We want to offer free and subsidised activities, shared equipment and welcoming routes into training, alongside opportunities for women who want to develop as athletes.
We are here for the woman who wants to keep fit and have a chat with people who care. The woman finding her feet again. The mother sharing something new with her daughter. And the woman who dreams of competing—or hasn’t yet imagined that she could.
You don’t have to want the journey I’ve had. I want you to have the chance to discover your own.
My ambition is to grow Women of Combat into a nationwide community, connecting women with welcoming clubs, experienced coaches and opportunities to progress. A community where taking your first class matters just as much as stepping into competition.
I know what it feels like to find something that changes your life. That is what drives me to keep building this.
Empowered women, empowering women. 💜
Katrina FisherFounder & Director, Women of Combat CIC
Plain English
What is a Community Interest Company?
Community first
A CIC exists for a community purpose. Ours is empowering women through combat sports.
Asset lock
An "asset lock" means our money and resources must be used for that community purpose and cannot simply be taken out for private gain.
Accountable
CICs are regulated and report each year on how their activities have benefited the community.
A CIC is not a registered charity, and donations to us are not eligible for Gift Aid.
