Lethal Ladies: New Zealand’s Female Fighters

VICE gets up close and personal with a cross section of Aotearoa’s most ferocious female fighters as they prepare for the Lethal Ladies fight meet. There’s Wendy Talbot, who sleeps in her van so she can be closer to her gym, and Kelly Broerse, a former competitive ballroom dancer who’s found her true calling in the Muay Thai ring. Baby “Pitbull” Nansen, fresh from becoming the first New Zealand woman to fight at New York’s Madison Square Garden, takes us inside SMAC Gym to show how combat sports can turn lives around-just as they did for her. VICE examines the motivations and challenges of the top echelon of female fighting talent, and reveals the raw truth of exactly what it takes to get in the ring: the physical toll it takes on the body, the mental toll it takes on the mind. “You’re getting in the ring with someone who wants to beat the crap out of you,” says Broerse. “It’s terrifying.”
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[@Jerushajustintime]

Baby and Sam are running an incredible gym. Amazing community out reach as well. God Bless them All.

[@monmac7387]

8:25 God Bless this Mother & her son. *Respect.*

[@jasonm2506]

Yes God gave her cancer God bless you religious zombie

[@orenrob1914]

yeah that got me in the feels. Love that spirit

[@coal2710]

Every lady is lethal, some just does it slowly.

[@response207]

lol

[@directorlunchie2322]

or passive aggresively

[@uprajsingh]

:D

[@user-vz2in9oz8m]

Stupid feminist propoganda is b.s

[@linduff1985]

Glad to see you girls are the embodiment of the true form of martial arts, both kicking ass and being a decent person. Big up from China

[@mr12aT]

lol. Everyone talks about how martial arts teaches discipline and makes you humble and wise. Though so many UFC fighters completely contradict that. I think it's all just a bunch of bs.

[@someotherguy43]

Mint Mastering its not bullshit its called marketing yourself to make as much money as possible. At the end of the day your a prize fighter who needs to sell tickets and put butts in seats, theres nothing in between. Any person who gets involved in mma or boxing does it for a living, noone gets punched in the face and possibly get cte just for fun. Stop being naive.

[@mr12aT]

Joseph Diaz. So what you’re saying is these martial artists will go completely against all of the morals and ethics they are (supposedly) taught during their martial art training from there wise teacher to teach them how to be wiser to sell tickets? It really does sound like a bunch of BS, that this whole martial art “respect” or being a “decent” person thing is a complete lie.

[@someotherguy43]

Mint Mastering were far away from any traditional martial arts they are clearly training mma, and as for what their masters are teaching them has nothing to do with marketing yourself when going into a promotion like ufc, you as a person choose if you wanna be the respectful type or not, but it comes with consequences especially wen you dnt stand out of the crowd. Its all on the fighters im just saying its obvious who makes the money and its the guys who talk shit cuz u fortunately thats what sells nowadays.

[@mr12aT]

@@someotherguy43. Ah see, now you are in the wrong comment section. If you look at Lin Duff's comment it say's "embodiment of the true form of martial arts". Though in saying that would you mind telling me what the last two letters in MMA stand for, we both know it's martial arts. It's not different. Making money over the teachings that are handed down from learning martial arts. Its either martial arts is lying to it's self about its "wise" teachings or mma dudes are simply just a bit douchie.

[@isaacsavage4399]

Loving all the positive support we have on this doco - putting this together with VICE was a true pleasure and without the support, honesty, grit we would have never captured the magic we did. Thank you to the brave souls who put it out there not only that night but also the community and whanau you surround yourself with on a daily basis. Mad respect!

[@mariapenner808]

Really amazing work, mate. Thank you.

[@damienholland8103]

People that have never fought or sparred should try this just to get a little understanding of how painful and difficult a sport like this is: Put on a padded helmet and have someone with those really big padded boxing gloves tap you very, very lightly in the forehead with a jab. That explosion of pain you feel at even minimal contact is what I'm talking about. And these people are striking almost as hard as they possibly can. Or you can have someone very slowly and lightly tap you on the side of the leg with a shin kick to the thigh. Hurts bad, doesn't it? And those people are whaling away at each other's legs lol. It's just crazy how much abuse a body can take when trained enough. But I still feel like the brain damage isn't worth it because it never fully heals.

[@miesvaillanykyisyytta3252]

I have taken a bit of muay thai and I realize my opinion is unpopular but I think it's one of the least intelligent martial arts out there. Taking part in a match may be worth it for thai peasants who live in squalor and are poor but in developed nations there's so many more options for people and our level of education allows us to see beyond the need to "fight". Being kicked in the thighs hurts and kicking a bag with your shin hurts and that's your body's way of telling you that you are doing it wrong. Karate, american kickboxing and taekwondo as well as military combatives emphasize hitting with the foot which is painless with your shoe on. When you kick with your shin, the force is transmitted through your shin at a splitting angle and you might hurt yourself much worse than your opponent not to mention you lose the reach advantage of a foot strike. If you break your toe or a bone in your foot from a foot strike, you can still defend yourself but if you break your shin you're done. Young people can do this sport for a good while but in your 30's, 40's and 50's switching to american kickboxing, karate or taekwondo may be necessary.

[@Dmvgold1995]

@@miesvaillanykyisyytta3252 people do it for the love of it. I know a guy at my gym who an IT engineer and makes six figures and he still keeps up with his training and competes regularly as an amateur

[@miesvaillanykyisyytta3252]

@@Dmvgold1995 I understand and respect that. My comment is pretty old and came off pretty strong. With that said, I still think that thai is not the best contact sport for longevity.

[@day2ra]

y'all just gonna sleep on Faith Van Duin like that? She bloody fought Cyborg!

[@michaelanese]

ha ha a New Zealander with subtitles

[@aaronoblea4157]

Was also wondering why

[@taniwha3706]

Thank you for allowing us into your life.. I wish you greatest success in your future in all aspects. 🚺💯🔥😁

[@Phatboii213]

The physio guy Gabriel Tan is really good guys he definately looks after you

[@bjorgrosenquist2490]

Anyone know where the 2nd and 3rd gyms are in nz? I know the 1st Is city kickboxing but can anyone identify the others?

[@IrongodNZ]

Antz "Notorious" Nansen's little sister. Good to see her get a lil spotlight

[@atosboxing]

awesome doco and what amazing warriors these girls are 👏

[@DevGourav]

Very brave and inspiring ladies...Love from India 🇮🇳

[@heuteldaethelesaniel3501]

They gonna be fine when they go to India, trust me

[@Amro_spective]

@@heuteldaethelesaniel3501 ya ik you took the advantage of the high statistics of rape in India and say this... But believe me... India wants to be safer for women too.

[@yourlocalhitman6696]

@@Amro_spective let's hope they can dodge flying shit

[@user-vz2in9oz8m]

@@Amro_spective high statistics? Germany and America has a higher rate of assault than india. India is not even in the top 10 most unsafe places for women stop being stupid.

[@raynahcoffey3180]

Respect wahines. Mean to see👌🏻

[@pr51]

Absolutely 100 respect! While I was watching these amazing women doing out of their comfort zone stuffs, and winning at it, I was thinking of the Bilzerian girls and how they are. Two kinds of women there is. This is the kind of empowerment that I fully support. Working out of the comfort zone, get beat up, get up, be humble!

[@leeleeleelee420]

great piece

[@stoneleighful]

Got a bit choked up watching these women, how much heart they have in AND outta the ring - proud of these sisters

[@rodjames5771]

Thank You so much for posting this brilliant doco

[@pooperdrop]

Man I love kiwis, so damn humble

[@chiefsallday842]

Pono

[@jackmehoff1840]

its people like this, who go out of their way to help the community on the smell of an oily rag that deserve knighthoods, i will add Sully Paea to the list of those whose achievements are not measured in dollars but have an enormous impact on us kiwis - i dips my hat to you baby & Sam

[@paulrickett7564]

lol, subtitles for the NZ accent!

[@schuletrip]

Really excellent, old school VICE documentary!

[@gabebabe1]

Great work ladies

[@lomax1049]

Good on you girls this is awesome !!

[@windwalker3081]

I can’t wait to see her legacy unfold into success and then a movie

[@hohepasavage522]

Love it and yes set goals to achieve your standard !.. Kia kaha waihine xo

[@Maariu01]

These women were amazing and i appreciate the stories, reasons and advice they gave Proud to be from NZ

[@marianamarino126]

My fave doco so far.

[@FrankWu]

doing boxing and other similar gym can release your stress

[@brainsiccness1076]

Love the accents

[@simonebest1102]

Totally epic!!:

[@ras-negusbloomfield8145]

Respect to all the Ladies. Now I want my daughter to give it go!!!

[@DJAUDIO1]

Beast mode ladies.

[@sterlingarcher1962]

Good show ladies, keep up the hard work! @Vice - Subtitles in the language being spoken, tacky.

[@emceesupremejustice]

great documentary love watching the girls throw down just as much as the guys forsure cool to see Israel Adesanyas coach Eugene working in one of the corners to

[@seagrey75]

Love the accent!

[@chilloutiv]

trainer with a hat and a beard in the beginning is Israel Adesanya's (stylebender) coach

[@TheKING50.50]

First like from Indonesia 🇮🇩

[@mokekr]

I love this girl. Whats her IG i love her hustle

[@loganmartel4233]

Israel adesanya coach in the beginning holding the mitt's, I was bout to put a '😂' in until I seen him these ladies are getting some high level coaching 💯

[@thatellipsisguy8984]

His name is Eugene...

[@loganmartel4233]

@@thatellipsisguy8984 awesome buddy 😂☠️

[@NIVO95]

49 thumbs down lol go away! Big ups2ro the lethal ladies and the continued paying you do for our future female fighters. Well done to you, the ones before you and the ones yet to start.

[@bbwiebz3994]

Good on u girls, don't become victims to assaults and take beatings. Stand up for urself n keep ur mind sharp at same time.

[@Swo882]

Wheres Jake the muss. I heard he was a good fighter in nz

[@OceaniaOracle]

Question : how about Interviewing some of the ladies like my grandma who got women boxing legal and was a pioneer for women like this, my Maori/Fijian grandmother started boxing way back when and won world titles and still til this day judges and works closely with the boxing community... just a thought!

[@bbwiebz3994]

Why not hit up vice about it. Never sick of more docos.

[@psydwaindah]

I'm from NZ but I needed those subtitles LOL

[@midnightaustin9287]

it's because she love the job that's why even after her working time is off she still wanted to train you

[@lewiswhitman1470]

Great job Vice.

[@thku4grace]

"I did competitive ballroom dancing for 6 years and my parents absolutely loved it. Then when I started full contact kickboxing, they were distraught". LOL, I wonder why?

[@nadanalia3000]

Really wish there were more female Muay Thai trainers and female-only gyms here in NZ. I’d definitely sign up

[@johnpetty3574]

As she's driving........... IT LOOKS LIKE HERE IN THE STATES!!!!

[@ianpodmore9666]

The only difference is she drives on the correct side of the road.

[@CantThinkofaCoolOne]

Way to go ladies.

[@JMPodcast]

Great what these girls are doing, but feel like this doc could have been put together better.

[@sirjcurry2182]

Baby and Sam, great couple.

[@Mad1Lee]

2nd fight was pretty great - decent technique and speed on both sides. First fight and fight during subtitles are really low level.

[@marksn4020]

Wow. So much dedication and heart by the fighters and trainers. You all deserve do much more. The mum that's terminally ill. Doing the right stuff by her child to the end. How selfless. But she's mum first cancer patient second. Need to find a cure for that shit

[@sirjcurry2182]

Great women. So sorry for the slim lady that lost (who lives in her car). Wish I were rich, I'd give them all, but especially her (and the husband / wife team) who give so much to all the women. Someone donate a house to the homeless fighter !!

[@420_stunts3]

Much Respect💯

[@chloegranich-smith2562]

I'm from New Zealand

[@markrigsby2425]

30 championship grade fights and your done.

[@nesiangod728]

CENTRAL AUCKLAND

[@dayapreetsinghsodhi7658]

The thumbnail is yoga jones from orange is the new black.

[@rastadoitz7356]

Shot Wendy good luck my G take it and keep going forward.

[@PaperBrainZombie]

1:27 Vampiro One font

[@RatzBuddie]

As a teen, one of my sparring partners was a female my same age. She was slightly shorter, same weight, and tougher than a lot of the guys in our class. Her movements weren't as powerful but her technique more than made up for it.

[@mattsmithy3491]

So you a wuss

[@ChiefWindyCheeks]

Why are those stoves hitting each other?!?!

[@notdoneyet8991]

Lots of respect struggling hard working woman inside an outside the ring fuck all the haters

[@michi323]

Is that Eugene at 1:20?

[@satishpawar7036]

Nice

[@matttaniwha8609]

Citykickboxing is number one

[@martinfoster9848]

As a Brit I don't understand the need for the subtitles?

[@IAmIcepro]

RESPECT!!!

[@LoderMike]

Asian guy spoke no english. She just loves that he is a good listener.

[@jmlee84]

fuck off mate, he speaks fluently

[@tumatahitoa1396]

Nice one ladys

[@normanthefrenchie5636]

Cool

[@gronzkin.l.6261]

Whit respect, but Lethal Lady's, ever heard of Jorina Baars????

[@toakasi6425]

Way to go all the sacrifices made to accomplish fighting esp as a woman not easy not enough creds either nevermind love n light.

[@darrylb.roberts7181]

Women should be allowed a 5-7lb leeway on weigh-ins if They're menstruating. That's only fair & practical.

[@chagandomrodnoi]

16:10 очень красивая леди... представляю, как она прекрасно выглядит в лёгком воздушном платье

[@christianmason1471]

Awww how cute

[@hbmcgregor]

14:22 "Taniwha burger" chuurrr ma maori

[@NIVO95]

haha saw that. on you Shar!

[@Quicktwosteps]

I don't fight as a career. I blink too much.

[@Airbender24B]

Kelly broerse is hella beautiful for a fighter.

[@tongandeathgrip901]

STRIKE FORCE!

[@salmanhameedhi8989]

Am I the only one who thinks she looks like Dani Daniels?!

[@dreal500]

Come on man, why dont they give women a weight adjustment for their periods. It seems pretty unfair. Adjust the scales for females on their period. Great documentary.

[@hnbhnb12]

Hello vice ASIA.. for your kind info newzealand is not in Asia.

[@josueperez4333]

333059 oceania right?

[@hnbhnb12]

@@josueperez4333 yeah right

[@bubblegumnipples1639]

You wouldnt know it when you're in Auckland :P

[@josueperez4333]

333059 I seriously don’t know if you are serious

[@TankNSSpank]

what did that china man do to her? some kind of magic bandaid?

[@irie3yed]

10:17 - 10:25 just fucked up my day 😔

[@DaneJiujitsu]

there's subtitles on this shit

[@badbillybrookes]

FUCKING THIS FUCKING THAT FUCKING SPONSORS

[@loveydovey1532]

💪💪

[@ozramblue117]

Lol, Subtitles!

[@patrobo4835]

k

[@jukio02]

I want to learn mma to beat some people up when I need to.

[@nonstar321]

Why are women going through the same rules as there male counterparts in regards to wight. If there period affect them that much

[@vaiona5156]

Shot Fernanda!

[@sonnyratapu9240]

K

[@valeamonskit1759]

Wtf why is there subtitles New Zealander speak English wtf 😂

[@josephpaerau3995]

REWA HARD