Heydy González in Workout Gear Says "Everyone Fights"

WWE star Zelina Vega is showing off the impressive results of her intense training routine, on social media. Vega, 33, posted highlights of her life recently, including a stunning snap of her posing in gray sweats and a matching sports bra, looking strong and toned. “Thank you all for the bday love yesterday. Means more than you know. Never know what helps fuel a person to keep fighting. Or just to simply not feel alone. Love you guys. Now, back to work💪🏽,” she captioned the post. Vega works hard to stay strong and ready for the ring—here’s how she does it.

1. HIIT and Muay Thai

Vega does plenty of HIIT workouts mixed up with martial arts. “I workout probably, like, six days a week,” she told Muscle & Fitness. “My husband [Malakai Black] likes to make these, like, powerlifting routines for me and then we also mix it up with Muay Thai. So, it’s a lot of different things that I feel like helps me a lot in the ring, whether it’s strength-wise, speed-wise, so yeah, it’s tough but you gotta fit it in.”

2. Diet Advice From The Rock

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Vega enjoys a vegan diet, and brings her own food on the road. “It is very difficult to eat though, I will say that, because you are just so busy running around all the time,” she told Muscle & Fitness. “Like even with [media calls], I completely forgot to eat, but I learned this from Dwayne Johnson: He had a timer on his phone that showed ‘OK, it’s time to eat’ and he would stop what he was doing and he’d make sure he gets his meals in, and then he would continue doing what he was doing.”

3. Video Game Star

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Vega appeared in the Street Fighter 6 video game as a commentator, and would love to expand to other games. “I've always loved Mortal Kombat and Tekken 2,” she told Screen Rant. “I think what's cool about the fighting game community is that I think we just kind of support all games. It's not even just after one, that's all you can ever be. But also, I would love to be a part of something that has to do with Naruto or Demon Slayer or something like that, because I'm such a big anime head that I'd love to kind of blend those two. Because obviously, I've played Naruto and Ninja Storm, stuff like that. So in some ways, I'd like to find a way to blend the anime gaming space there.”

4. Puerto Rico Pride

Vega is thrilled about the increased diversity in the wrestling world. “It has always been important to me. I’m Puerto Rican from New York,” she told TV Insider. “We’re all very proud of who we are. My family, I’m proud of them and feel like I’m representing them. I’m also representing the culture while I’m doing what I’m doing. I want that to reflect well on all of us as Latinos and Latinas. You think of Eddie [Guerrero] and Rey [Mysterio], but I wanted people to initially, especially in NXT, to think of me. That was a huge thing for us.”

5. Pre-Fight Ritual

Vega has a moving ritual before she gets in the ring for a fight. “I have a moment where I talk to my dad,” she told HOLA! USA. “I call my guardian angels. I go through my list: my dad, my uncle, my grandfather. I mean, even my little puppy that I lost. So I get to talk to them and tell them to be there with me because, without them, I wouldn’t be where I am. And even though they’re gone, I feel them making sure that I’m safe in the ring. I always say, ‘Make sure I’m safe, make sure I remember everything, make sure that the fans love it.’”

Alexa Grasso is reminding social media followers and fans about the rules she lives by, both for life and for the ring. Flyweight fighter Grasso, 30, shared a picture of herself wearing black leggings and a gray shirt, stretching against a wall at her gym. “Remember that… hard work is a choice. Attitude is a choice. Discipline is a choice. Doing extra is a choice. Excellence is a choice,” she captioned the post. Grasso is not only a competitor but also a coach—here’s how she stays on top of her game and ready to fight.

1. Beautiful Fight

Grasso works hard to make her fighting style look beautiful and graceful. “Even though we’re fighting, at the end of the day, it’s an art — mixed martial arts — and I like it to look oh so beautiful: nice jabs, nice uppercuts, nice hooks, because I think it’s part of the game,” she told UFC.com. “I like to show that fighting could be nice. My coach is also very meticulous about the technique. He always wants us to show good technique, which is the most important thing, and I like it so much. You can throw truly beautiful combos.”

2. Mental and Physical Training

Grasso now gets help not just for physical training but for mental too. "I have a mental coach who teaches me how to train the mind,” she told the Latin Times. “I imagine every time I'm going to fight, and how it's going to be. I imagine the place, the people, the noise, the corner, everything! Every time, I'm trying to live that moment before fighting and how I want it to be.”

3. Valentina Shevchenko Fight

Grasso says the prospect of fighting Valentina Shevchenko made her train harder than ever. “I know she’s tough. She’s dangerous in all areas and this made me train like tons. I was extreme with my discipline. I was extreme with my training, with my diet, with my conditioning, I was extreme in all areas. Definitely I’m a better athlete right now and I can’t wait to prove that.”

4. Coaching the Next Generation

Grasso is proud to be a long-time coach. “I have been a coach for a long, long time. I started with my Uncle and my Dad, Team Grasso Extreme Training so it just throws me back to those days,” she told Fighters Only. “I used to teach kids, women, teenagers, now in my gym, with the experience I have had in the UFC, I have a lot of teammates that are male. So, I know how to motivate them, I have something to share with each one of them and I know how important these fights are for each one of them so I am committed to do something to help them achieve their goals. “

5. Always Evolving

Grasso is passionate about learning and evolving both physically and on an intellectual level. “We must read and inform ourselves a lot,” she writes for UFC.com. “Because nothing is more valuable today than being well-informed. I challenge you to change every 10 minutes you use on social networks every day to read about each organ of your body and thus of varied topics every day. You will be surprised at everything that happens in your body and in the world with every breath. Eating healthy is essential, exercise clears the mind and all these decisions are recorded in our genetic code. Let's take the best of our lives and leave quality seeds planted in the new generations.”

UFC commentator Laura Sanko is taking a look back at the hard work and discipline that brought her where she is today. Sanko, 41, shared a highlight reel of her career, including a snap of herself posing in two-piece workout gear, holding a purple belt. “18 year overnight success. I’ve had my fair share of people hoping to see me stumble or fail…sorry to disappoint but I’m just getting started and I thank God for my blessings each and every day ✌🏼,” she captioned the post. “Hardest worker I know. Just ready to see you slow down so we can go on more trips ❤ proud of you,” a friend commented. Sanko is not just a commentator, she’s an athlete and fighter—here’s how she stays strong and focused.

1. She’s a Fighter

Sanko was a fighter before she was a commentator, and says MMA was the perfect workout for her. "The problem with lifting weights or jogging is that you just spend more time inside your head, or at least I did,” she told PEOPLE. "It's intimidating walking up to an MMA gym, and I can't tell you the number of times I've been watching fights with some girlfriends, and they're always like, 'I could never do that,' but they absolutely can."

2. Horseback Riding

Sanko loves horseback riding, and was thrilled to race in Kentucky. “I have wanted to do that my ENTIRE LIFE since I was 4 years old and saw the Black Stallion movie,” she captioned an Instagram post. “I watched it over and over and dreamed of what it would feel like to go full out on a track. Actually got teary watching this footage remembering back to when I was a little kid pretending on my toy horse wanting so desperately to know how powerful that would feel and just watching that scene over and over.”

3. Ignoring the Critics

Sanko didn’t listen to the naysayers who said fighting wasn’t appropriate for a woman. "There's a lot of parts of growing up as a woman where you're told not to be physical for many different reasons, like it's inappropriate, or it's too tomboyish, or girls just don't play like that," she told PEOPLE. "...It’s not professional for a woman to be rolling around with other guys, especially if you take a jiu-jitsu class. It might sound like a weird concept, but I'm telling you that just embracing the sport really opened my eyes to so many things about myself, about my own body, about my ability to feel comfortable in those types of situations."

4. Sparring and Wrestling

Sanko loves nothing better than fighting and sparring. “Felt good to move around a bit. Standard disclaimer: I’m aware he’s letting me work on the ground and ‘not really trying’:.. I’m also well aware of my striking deficiencies on the pads. It’s been forever since I’ve hit pads and I hate feeling rusty and slow…but I guess that’s what I get now that UFC travel dominates my schedule ✌🏼,” she captioned an Instagram post.

5. Breaking the Mold

Sanko is proud of her MMA background and career. "There are a lot of people that don't necessarily fit the mold of what we believe to be a fighter, that are interested in training MMA,” she told PEOPLE. “I think that's really the key, is the way that this particular type of training challenges not just your body, but your mind, your beliefs about yourself, is unlike any other sport, and I hope more people are inspired to do it.”

MMA icon Erin Toughill may have retired from the ring but she’s still training, teaching, and coaching. Toughill, 46, shared a video of herself wearing green jogging pants and a black shirt, sparring with professional volleyball player Emily Stockman on a blue mat. “Happy Monday,” she captioned the post. “Lots of learning, and having fun while I’m doin it 😁,” Stockman commented on the video. Here’s how Toughill stays fighting fit in her 40s.

1. “I was always an athlete"

Toughill started kickboxing when she was 18 years old. “I was always an athlete,” she told Fighter Girls. “I started playing soccer at 4 years of age and excelled in that. I played softball, basketball, a lot of sports. I would have received a scholarship after high school, but I went down the ‘wrong path’, which is what led me to fight, actually… I needed an outlet for all my aggression and anger that was building up in me over the years. I was an intense kid, I’ll just say that much. I was getting hurt and hurting people, and someone suggested taking some kickboxing classes to release some of my pent up ‘negative energy’.”

2. Cross Blocking Technique

Toughill is passionate about coaching the next generation and teaching moves such as cross blocking. “I love cross blocking,” she captioned a video. “I shared a nice story from my buddy this morning. Cross blocking is done all the time in boxing and MMA. The key when you are practicing these techniques is to do it with intention! You must brace as if you’re getting punched. Don’t get lazy. You don’t want your arm to come back and hit you in your own face. You also don’t want to have your arm right in front of your eyes blocking your line of sight. Make a strong cage… Remember: if you can see the chest, the head is right above. You want to do your best to maintain eye contact with your target 9/10.”

3. Autism Awareness

Toughill is proud to coach kids, especially those who are neurodivergent. “When we say boxing is for everyone, we mean it!” she captioned a post. “Over the years, I have trained a lot of kids and adults with autism, ADHD and other special needs. Learning and progressing in anything is a great feeling; It helps us build confidence, composure, self-esteem, self-trust, self-assurance, and it just feels good! You start to believe in yourself and your abilities, and that is so important for all of us ❤️🙏 #autismawareness.”

4. No Undue Punishment

Toughill absolutely believes there is a line that shouldn’t be crossed in the ring. “If you don’t trust your coach, you got NOTHING,” she captioned an Instagram post. “Here is a fight that was very close. In the corner, I told my fighter she was getting hit ‘too much.’ You can see her reaction; she was disagreeing. She said verbatim: ‘it doesn’t hurt.’ My fighter did not want to listen to me after that. I don’t want my athletes to take undue punishment. You’d be surprised how much pride comes into play in a coach/fighter dynamics. Guess what? We are here to save you from yourself!”

5. Advice For Rising Fighters

Toughill has sage advice for up and coming fighters. “It’s not easy being a woman in boxing, but that’s life; no one ever said it would be easy,” she captioned an Instagram post. “I do get asked a lot on what my advice would be to up and coming women in combat sports is. It’s pretty simple. My advice is: work hard, stay consistent, dedicated and let your work speak for itself. You must remain humble, coachable and maintain total respect. First and foremost, If you do not respect yourself, no one else will respect you. When you maintain that self respect, it will take you longer to level up, but that’s how integrity works.”