Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared on IMMAF.org and has been reprinted here with permission.
In the time it has taken to generate the opening lines of this article, LaNeisha “She-Hulk” Vinson of the United States became a world champion. It took just 49 seconds for Vinson to cement her place in MMA history, just three years into her career.
In a tournament that grows bigger annually, both in terms of number of competitors and in level of skill, the native of South Carolina didn’t just represent her country, but her country’s last hope. After just two days of competition, she was the last remaining U.S. representative, competing in the senior women’s bantamweight division of the week-long championships event.