Increasing numbers of Western Australian women are practicing mixed martial arts, inspired by rising local stars such as Niamh McNeill and Alexis Payne, who competed in Perth last week.

Previously a dedicated weightlifter, Deborah Okoro became interested in the sport and now trains at her local gym in Morley.

“I was sick of going to the gym and weightlifting all the time, it was getting boring and repetitive, so I tired this out and now I really enjoy it,” she says.

“Sometimes I wish there was more females I could spar with.”

Ms Okoro says encouragement from coaches helped her recognise her own potential, both physically and mentally.

“At first it was for fun, but I have a Muay Thai fight coming soon and I want to do a mixed martial arts fight when I think I’m ready,” she says.

“I feel like the change came from my coaches saying when I come and I train consistently I have the opportunity to be really good, so there’s nothing wrong with trying and seeing where it goes.

MMA coach Terry Osborne is seeing more women walk through the doors of his Greenwood gym.

“I think women are seeing the space is no longer full of men and testosterone, that women are very welcome to come and train and fight,” he says.

“If you look at the UFC, there have been lots of high-profile female fighters, it’s a really good space for women now, to come into.

With men having an average of 75 per cent greater muscle mass than women, a tailored training approach is required to accommodate female participants.

“You can cause damage if you train the way you do it with the guys,” he says.

Adjustments include an alternative diet, supplements and recovery recommendations.