Community Corner

Thugs Beware! Women Fighting Back in Mission Viejo

What do you do if you are attacked? What if your attacker is much larger? What if he has already grabbed you?

Ask Caroline Portugal, MMA fighter and nutritionist for Quinton "Rampage" Jackson. Portugal led a free self defense class Thursday night for women and girls at the Rampage Fitness Academy, 23681 Vía Linda.

See photos of the event above.

The 5'2" fight instructor said she was attacked 19 years ago in a subway tunnel by a 6'2" man who planned to drug her. It was late at night and she was caught off guard, she said.

That wasn't the last time she encountered a dangerous situation. She said six months ago an agent began sending her strange text messages. With a little research, she discovered his history of kidnapping and assault.

"I talk a lot about intuition," she said. "If you can know ahead of time that something will happen, all the better."

As she talked to about 20 students, Portugal said she didn't plan on addressing specifics. Details like what leg to kick with won't matter in a dangerous situation, she said.

Instead, Portugal went over some straightforward safety basics, like how to escape a choke hold, how to deliver a swift knee to an attacker's face and how to deliver a palm smash, the move she used to escape her attacker years ago.


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