Jackie Cataline, who dedicated years to wrestling before transitioning to mixed martial arts in 2022, intends to utilize her grappling skills against boxing specialist Jamie Edenden at Invicta FC 61 in Shawnee, Oklahoma this Friday.
Their featherweight bout was initially set for February 7th but was postponed due to a medical suspension Cataline received after a Power Slap competition. Edenden expressed her frustration over the cancellation, suggesting Cataline`s confidence was misplaced. However, Cataline is unfazed by Edenden`s challenge to keep the fight standing.
“Of course, she’s trying to build hype for the fight, and I respect that,” Cataline told MMA Fighting. “But honestly, her reluctance to engage on the ground only benefits me. Ground fighting is my strength. I haven`t faced an opponent I couldn`t take down, and she`s clearly afraid of it. So, her trash talk just motivates me more to take her down and inflict damage. My goal is no longer just to win; now, I genuinely want to hurt her. It`s excellent motivation.”
Cataline`s MMA record stands at 5-3, including three finishes, most recently a dominant TKO victory over Kelly Ottoni in August. Edenden (5-2-1), meanwhile, is aiming for her fifth consecutive win since turning professional in 2022.
“She wants to avoid the ground,” Cataline explained. “She prefers a stand-up brawl. Her fighting style is aggressive, constantly moving forward and throwing punches – not necessarily refined boxing, just relentless forward pressure. That`s perfect for a wrestler like me. In every fight, my aim is to dominate, take them down, and inflict damage. I don`t want us both to look good after the fight. One of us should be a mess.”
At 36, Cataline, a mother of four, electrician, and high school wrestling coach, remains a force in combat sports. The former U.S. Olympic wrestling team member has no plans to slow down, competing in both MMA for Invicta FC and Power Slap.
“I’m turning 37 this year, and I know my competitive window is limited,” Cataline acknowledged. “I don’t see myself doing this at 45 [laughs]. Power Slap, for me, was a smart business decision, a way to get my foot in the door. Dana White is now my boss. Crucially, my contract allows me to compete in both fighting and Power Slap, unlike many others. I intend to stay busy, aiming for three or four Power Slap events and three or four MMA fights this year.”
“I was on the U.S. national and Olympic wrestling team for about 20 years,” she added. “But I also have a full-time job as an electrician. I have four kids – two biological and two stepchildren. I coach high school wrestling with my brother. I lead a very busy life. I don’t need to fight for money; my career provides a good income. I fight because I love to compete and try new things. I want to experience as much as I can in the next three or four years before I retire from competition completely.”
Regarding Power Slap, she defends the sport, arguing it appears more dangerous than it is.
“I don’t believe it’s more dangerous than MMA,” Cataline stated. “In MMA, you absorb hundreds of strikes in a 15 or 25-minute fight. In Power Slap, you take maybe three slaps. It’s less cumulative damage than in fighting. My face has never looked as rough after a Power Slap as it has after an MMA fight. I honestly believe the damage is less severe. It`s more visually dramatic; knockouts are common and create viral content. People see these knockouts and assume it’s the norm, but that’s not the reality. I definitely take more damage in MMA fights than in slaps.”
