Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Libby Canela. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Libby, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about your team building process? How did you recruit and train your team and knowing what you know now would you have done anything differently?

Upon initially assuming the role of promoter and president for an all-female mixed martial arts organization, I knew I needed to form a solid team first. I needed individuals who loved the sport and had a passion for it but were also willing to explore their strengths and weaknesses for this company. My team consists of former MMA fighters, event coordinators, current MMA fighters, and hungry individuals of all professions. Together we are Valkyrie Fighting Championship!

Libby, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I was first introduced to martial arts as a child; through the dojo, you learn discipline and self-mastery. Always being a student until your last breath. I was always intrigued by the art of fighting. We have all watched Blood Sport, Enter the Dragon, or played Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter. Through my training and personal experience, I established an organization for women to showcase their skills in the cage in 2016. Since then, one of my most significant accomplishments has been seeing women express themselves and receiving the experience to take them to their next professional level.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

I met Danny Lockhart in 2020 during the pandemic while promoting in Mexico City. My MMA event featured American fighters and Mexican fighters on my fight card. He had purchased my event on PPV and was impressed by the passion my fighters showcased that night. A few weeks later, I received a phone call from him and met in person in Los Angeles, California. I then told him about a new project I was working on that needed a CEO; I was looking for someone who understood the fight business and could relate to being a fighter. Danny, a former fighter, was perfect for this role. He is the founder of Team Hustle Sports Network, and Danny brings nearly two decades of experience in the fight business. His industry background includes World Series of Fighting, UFC, and USA BOXING. He has also represented Floyd Mayweather, Conor McGregor, Manny Pacquiao, and many elite fighters in sponsorship and business affairs. I knew he was the one to help take Valkyrie Fighting Championship to the next level.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

The best advice for managing a team, I would say, is to be able to show your team that there is no small title in the company. Many people focus on titles too much, but in my experience, the most minor role is as important as the CEO’s. As a President, I am the one who makes sure I am the first to clean if needed and the last to leave. Making every role essential and also understanding the strengths of an individual. When a team feels like they are walking on eggshells, it creates a dreadful environment. Allowing people to be people and not robots was one of my goals for Valkyrie FC.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://valkyriefighting.com/
• Instagram: @valkyriefighting
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Valkyriefighting/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ValkyrieFightingChampionship

Image Credits
Photography by MMA Stalker https://mmastalker.com/