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SANDY — Bridgett Nielson has always been a fighter. She really never had a choice — born deaf, she has had to battle adversity that, for those of us who can hear, is difficult to understand.
Learning how to fight and conquering fear has given her an opportunity she never could have imagined — in the sport of mixed martial arts, where her next bout will take place April 29 at Fitcon at the South Towne Expo Center.
"She's got more heart than any fighter I've ever seen," said Chet Thomas, her coach. "She does not stop. When she gets punched, she moves forward.
"She can't hear the word 'quit,' so she doesn't even know what it means."
Maybe quitting isn't an option, because her current path is so unexpected.
"Honestly, I have never thought that I would be a fighter," Neilson said through an interpreter. "I never thought it would happen."
Nielson's first dream was to serve in the military, but her disability made that impossible.
Thanks to an invitation from a friend, she found something to help fill that void.
"Jordan Clement invited me to go to this old gym called Pit Elevated, and he showed me this amazing world of fighting. I fell in love with it," Nielson said. "It was different. It wasn't only boxing; it was more than that."
Nielson saw training in kickboxing, muay thai and other disciplines, as well as strength training and cardio workouts that have helped her develop into an athlete with unlimited potential.
"This gym is like a collective of everyone helping her out, and her helping everyone else out, too," said Jason Mertlich, the owner of Four 7 Gym where Nielson trains. "It's brought a lot of people together.
"With that type of environment and her enthusiasm, positive attitude and natural ability, I think she can take it as far as she wants."
Fighting doesn't come without risks, though. Nielson wears a cochlear implant that has changed her life and given her some hearing.
But one wrong hit could destroy the limited hearing she has.
"I'm going to push those fears down," Neilson said. "My coach teaches me and helps me.
"I'm still a person, and I still fear I am going to lose my hearing every time I step into that cage. But I'm pushing through it, and it's helped me to be braver and stronger."
Her coach is being helped, too.
"You can stand next to this girl and feel how good of a souls he is. You can feel the love coming from her," Thomas said.
"She doesn't have any drama. She's pure, and when she gets in the cage, she fights hard and fights with respect."
She's got more heart than any fighter I've ever seen. She does not stop. When she gets punched, she moves forward. She can't hear the word 'quit,' so she doesn't even know what it means.
–Chet Thomas, MMA coach
Neilson has a 2-1 record in her brief competitive career, and the thrill of competition pushes her toward her next fight.
"I was happy; I was allowed to get inside a cage, and I never thought that would happen," she said. "It was a dream of mine."
After all she's been through, Neilson has learned a valuable lesson — and she wants to share it with others.
"Don't be afraid of what people tell you that you can't do," she said. "Because I'm doing just that.
"I was told I could never hear, but I am hearing. I was told I could never fight, but I am fighting. If people want to take anything from my story, it is to not be afraid of your dreams — but go out and fight for them."
More information
FitCon Utah fight night
For more information about FitCon's fight night April 29, visit FitConUtah.com.
