Image of Carol “The Warrior” Siracusa during training at Richard Pérez Boxing in Manteca, CA. Image courtesy of Carol Siracusa.
Carol “The Cutwoman” Siracusa
Carol “The Cutwoman” Siracusa is the true definition of a warrior. Born in Hayward, California, she began her journey into combat sports greatness with a single goal: to reach the top. In 2010, the Bay Area native started her introduction to boxing. She trained at several gyms throughout Northern and Central California. One notable location was Cyclone Martial Arts and Fitness in Livermore, CA.
While Cyclone is primarily a local academy, it helped lay her foundation. The gym fielded competitors for regional circuits like Dragon House and CAMO MMA. She trained alongside other athletes that walked in like Obi Maclean and Joseph Silva. Eventually, Siracusa made her way to Manteca, CA. There, she trained with Richard Pérez, the legendary coach known for training the Diaz brothers and Rodney Jones.
Image of Carol “The Warrior” Siracusa training with Richard Pérez in Manteca, CA (left) and Carol “The Warrior” Siracusa helping Nate Diaz put on his boxing glove before an intense sparring session at Richard Pérez Boxing in Manteca, CA (right). Image courtesy of Carol Siracusa.
During this period, “The Warrior” Siracusa lived up to her name with defiant intensity. She competed locally while sharpening her skills against elite teammates, sparring with icons like Nick and Nate Diaz, as well as UFC and Strikeforce veteran Yancy Medeiros Jr. Her rising stardom was undeniable—she was even immortalized on an official Topps trading card, marking the beginning of an incredibly bright future.
Image of Carol “The Warrior” Siracusa. Image courtesy of TOPPS.
The Fight for Her Life
Video of Carol “The Warrior” Siracusa at Cyclone gym in Livermore, CA (2010). Video courtesy of Carol”the Cutwoman” Siracusa.
Things were looking up for Siracusa. However, in 2014, she faced the biggest fight she was ever meant to fight: Cancer. This event rocked her world and forced her to rethink her place in combat sports. Between constant doctor visits and trying to maintain an active lifestyle, the situation took a heavy toll.
The physical and mental stress was overwhelming. Consequently, she suffered from severe depression and shortness of breath. Shockingly, she survived two heart attacks during this period. Surprisingly, the doctor mentioned,
‘Actually, maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle, such as your boxing, saved your life!
Today, she lives with three stents in her heart. Yet, despite these life-threatening setbacks, she gained a true champion’s heart. This resilience earned her the initial nickname, Carol “The Warrior” Siracusa.
Shifting Corners: A New Purpose
Siracusa refused to quit. She returned to the gym after cancer surgery, but her role had to change. She shifted her efforts from fighting to cornering her teammates at Richard Pérez Boxing. During our one-on-one phone interview, ‘The Warrior’ struck me as someone who constantly puts others before herself; her subsequent comment only solidified her superhero status.
“I suppose they picked up on a motherly vibe from me,” Siracusa said. “I was already handling many of the cut-woman duties, but once I was there in person, my focus shifted toward using that advantage to ensure my brothers were okay.”
This transition marked the birth of Carol “The Cutwoman” Siracusa. She began working with high-profile athletes, including Nate Diaz. Her passion propelled her to the top tier of the industry. She is now mentioned alongside legends like Jacob “Stitch” Duran, who was casted as a cutman on the movie Rocky Balboa and the Creed Movie franchise, Mike Bazzel of Aloha Time Boxing and Mike Rodriguez. Working with Mike cornering several fighters throughout her career including elite Lithuanian professional boxer and former WBA welterweight world champion Eimantas Stanionis. She has become a staple in the corner, proving that gender is no barrier to excellence in combat sports.
One of her most notable appearances occurred in August 2022 at Urijah Faber’s A1 Combat. She worked the corner for Blake Perry, who sustained a severely broken nose from a knee strike. It was noted as one of the worst injuries in MMA history. Siracusa worked under immense pressure, showcasing her elite skills to the world.
The Inspiration Behind the Warrior
Getting to know Carol “The Cutwoman” Siracusa since first meeting her in 2019 has been an incredible experience. She constantly radiates positive energy in a fiercely male-dominated sport, effortlessly navigating its complex politics and strict discipline. You will always find her with a warm smile on her face, eager to share stories and pictures of the man who started it all: her father.
Image of Father Frank Rodriguez at age 8 – 1935. Image courtesy of Carol “The Cutwoman” Siracusa
When asked what originally inspired her to step into the combat sports world, Siracusa answered without a second of hesitation.
“My Dad!” she proclaimed. “My dad is 100 feet tall to me. He was the major support I received when I was younger, encouraging me to fight my battles with my chin held high.”
Image of Carol “The Cutwoman” and father Frank Rodriguez (98).
That towering figure is Frank Rodriguez. Now 98 years old, Rodriguez maintains a beautifully close bond with his daughter. As a lifelong boxing fanatic, he frequently attended Siracusa’s training sessions, motivating her every step of the way. He even stepped onto the mats to hit mitts with legendary trainer Richard Pérez. Ultimately, Frank embedded the sweet science deep into his daughter’s DNA. “I grew up watching boxing all my life,” Siracusa recalled. Her enduring passion was fueled by her father’s vivid stories of watching historical legends fight in person—icons like Sugar Ray Robinson, Jake LaMotta, and Max Baer.
An Inspiration to Never Give Up
Image of Carol “The Cutwoman” Siracusa.
From conquering cancer to managing the most gruesome injuries in the cage, Carol “The Cutwoman” Siracusa stands as a powerful beacon of hope for fighters and industry professionals alike. Her resilience embodies a relentless “never give up” spirit that resonates far beyond the corner, serving as daily motivation for both seasoned veterans and newcomers to the sport. Whether she is meticulously wrapping hands or stopping a critical bleed, Siracusa remains a vital force in the world of combat sports—proof that the heart of a warrior beats just as strong outside the ring.
Raúl Martínez started by producing Latino films and promoting artists at Univision Radio, then directed marketing for CAA for brands like PepsiCo and the NFL. He now contributes his expertise to Fajador Sports.
