Erin Toughill

Erin Young Toughill  (born June 13, 1977) is an American former professional boxer, mixed martial artist, and bare-knuckle boxer who also appeared as a Gladiator on the American Gladiators series.

She began kickboxing at the age of 18 and started training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu soon after.

Under the watch of her LA Boxing trainer Sean McCully, Toughill debuted in mixed martial arts on September 27, 1999, and fought to a draw with Irma Verhoeff at World Vale Tudo Championship 9 in Aruba.

Less than a year later, she made her professional boxing debut on July 20, 2000.

Along with her MMA career, Toughill holds a professional boxing record of 7 wins, 5 losses, 1 draw and 1 no contest.

She counts IBF Super Middleweight contender Librado Andrade, a long-time sparring partner, among her close friends.

Boxing career
Toughill has only one loss before losing her battle against Laila Ali. Her final boxing match was against Laura Ramsey, whom she defeated previously. Toughill's father died three days before her rematch to Laura Ramsey. Toughill lost the fight by TKO in the first round and retired soon after with a record of 7–3–1, 1 NC.

Toughill returned to boxing on January 27, 2019, against Maricela Cornejo losing a unanimous division. Toughill fought again on May 18, 2019, losing via TKO to Raquel Miller.

Mixed martial arts career
After going 1–1–1 in her first three bouts, Toughill won five straight fights before losing due to illegal hits to the spine in the finals of the 2004 Smackgirl World ReMix Tournament to Megumi Yabushita. She competed once more and scored a TKO victory over Jen Case in 2006.

In 2007, Toughill retired from both boxing and MMA. Toughill came out of retirement from MMA and fought Jan Finney on November 20, 2008, at Palace Fighting Championships 11. Despite cutting over 20 lb to make the contracted weight limit, Toughill was victorious and later went on to defeat Karen Williams and Emily Thompson in subsequent events for PFC after a fight with Adrienna Jenkins was cancelled due to injury.

Strikeforce
Toughill was set to make her Strikeforce debut on November 7, 2009, at Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers in a rematch with Marloes Coenen, whom Toughill defeated in 2004. However, she later withdrew from the fight due to an undisclosed medical condition.

On March 18, 2010, Toughill announced that she was planning to leave Strikeforce. She had been scheduled to compete on the undercard of Strikeforce: Nashville on April 17. However, in a second posting on April 9, 2010, Toughill attributed the disagreements with Strikeforce to misunderstandings and stated that she would be staying with the promotion.

Toughill was scheduled to face Shana Olsen at Strikeforce: Houston on August 21, 2010, but the fight was cancelled due to concerns over Toughill's ability to make weight. According to Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker, Toughill's next fight will not take place in Strikeforce, but she remains a part of the promotion's roster.

Toughill was offered to face Cristiane Santos for a bout in 2010, but the fight never came into fruition.

Post-Strikeforce
Toughill was scheduled to compete outside of Strikeforce against China's Bao Yu Dan at Martial Combat 9 on September 15, 2010, in Singapore. However, on September 13, Toughill withdrew from the fight after citing a broken clavicle.

Toughill returned to active competition after nearly two years at Freestyle Cage Fighting 46 on April 9, 2011. The fight was against Ashley Sanchez at a 160 lb catchweight (per Toughill's request). Toughill lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Toughill agreed to face Anna Barone at BlackEye Promotions 5 on October 1, 2011, in Fletcher, North Carolina, but withdrew from the fight after suffering a rib injury in training.

American Gladiators
Toughill became a cast member of NBC's primetime series, American Gladiators, where she became known as Steel. One of the commentators on American Gladiators, Laila Ali, knocked her out.

BYB Extreme
Toughill made her bare knuckle boxing debut with BYB Extreme Bare Knuckle Fighting Series, losing a 5-round split decision to Jozette Cotton at BYB 6 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood on July 16, 2021.

On March 12, 2022, she defeated Sonya Dreiling via unanimous decision at BYB 9, improving her bare knuckle record to 1-1.

Personal life
Erin married Neil Melanson, a grappling coach and lead Jiu-Jitsu instructor at Xtreme Couture, in a private ceremony on November 20, 2009. Melanson also serves as the primary grappling coach for UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture, and has cornered Couture during several recent MMA fights. The couple is currently going through a divorce.

Toughill's younger sister, Megan, was killed in a car accident on September 19, 2004, which was about three weeks before her title fight with Yvonne Reis.

Media
Toughill was featured on MSNBC's Warrior Nation as she prepared for a fight.

In 2022, Toughill launched Talk Tough with Erin Toughill, an interview-style podcast focused on bare knuckle boxing.

Accomplishments

 * Brown Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under James Boran
 * 2001 ReMix Golden Gate Japan Champion
 * W-Fusion 2001 Japan Champion