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Calgary Herald

Liver transplant recipient takes to the octagon in first MMA bout this weekend

Rebecca Troxel, 36, has long dreamed of picking up combative sports, but between complications from a liver transplant and a battle with endometriosis, she never had the chance – until now. Article content Troxel received the transplant when she was just nine years old, after being diagnosed with biliary atresia, a life-threatening liver disease, when she was a baby. She's been on medication ever since, and has also dealt with multiple rejections. Article content Article content Article content 'I've always wanted to do some sort of boxing, or something like that,' Troxel said. 'I started getting slammed with social media ads for Champions Rise.' Article content Article content But despite her initial hesitation, Troxel eventually signed up for her first season in September of 2024 – and for a second season in February after just a few days off. Article content Article content 'I had an injury last season, so I didn't end up fighting,' Troxel said. 'I wanted to come back for a redemption this season.' Article content Her debut fight takes place tonight at the Deerfoot Inn and Casino, and though she's hoping for a win, it's about more than that for her. Article content 'I'm trying to just focus on gratitude,' Troxel said. 'More than anything, the last year of training has taught me that I'm capable of so much more than I thought.' Article content 'When you have chronic illness like endo or or growing up in the hospital, a lot of people just kind of discount you for things,' she said. Article content 'You get a little bit of that in your head, thinking, 'Maybe I can't do this' – but I can, and I'm here.' Article content 'It's been very rewarding to work with her,' Troxel's coach, Mike Smallwood, said. 'She's a really hard worker.' Article content 'We have high expectations, so there's always going to be a transformation that's going to happen.' Smallwood said. 'She was very resilient and worked her way through it.' Article content Smallwood trained both Troxel and her opponent, so he's not rooting for a particular outcome for Friday's fight, but said it could go either way. Article content 'It's a fair match up,' he said. 'Honestly, I do not know who will win this.' Article content