Lisa Ward returns to the cage tonight after nearly a year's absence from fighting, in a 115 lb bout against Stephanie Frausto on the main card of Bellator XXII in Kansas City. Jason Lusk had a chance to catch up with Lisa before tonight's bout...

NW Fightscene: We have not seen you fight since last summer. What have you been up to?
Lisa Ward: My last fight in Japan was a re-match against Miku Matsumoto. I lost in the 3rd round. It was a hard hard weight cut and I just really never recovered. 
Since then I have been teaching a lot. Training and sparring, as well as weights and cardio. I'm actually doing a sprint triathlon July 17! In March I went to Poland and won the Fila Nogi World Championship and took bronze in the Gi event. 

NWFS: How did this fight come about?

Ward: Bellator contacted me about the 115 lb tournament for August. Then we signed for this fight against Staphanie Fruasto. I'm excited to get our there. She is a younger up and comer and it should be a great fight. 

NWFS: Did you see last week's womens bout on Bellator?

Ward: I watched Megumi fight. She looked good especially since her opponent wouldn't fight her. It's hard to finish someone holding and defending the whole time. But finally she wore her out!

NWFS: Is there anything else you'd like to add or anyone you want to thank?
Ward: I want to thank the most important person in my life, Eddy Ellis. He has always supported me and I am so happy he and I are getting married July 24!!

My family and friends are great and understand me. I would like to thank United Fight Team for all their hard work and support. They make United Training Center successful. Vicious Fight Gear has always been very supportive. Tussle Fight Gear and The Revolution grappling tournament at www.Leapllc.com are great supports as well. United Training Center is the top facility around and Eddy and I host shows. We have United Fight Night 10 coming up June 26. It's an outdoor event and should be a great night. Doors open at 6 fights start at 7 & $20 at the door. Beer garden too!!

NW Fightscene thanks Lisa for taking the time to do this interview. Watch her fight  Stephanie Frausto on the main card of Bellator XXII in Kansas City July 17th, to be broadcast on Fox Sports Net. More info at www.bellator.com. The United Training Center, the gym owned and operated by Lisa Ward & Eddy Ellis, is located at 7619 Martin Way East in Olympia, with an additional branch in Tacoma at 1014 Martin Luther King Way. More info is online at myspace.com/unitedtrainingcenter. Lisa has her own website at LisaWardmma.com and is also at myspace.com/lisa_ward.