Feature Story
WILP WHIPS FELLABAUM IN FEMALE SHOOTFIGHT

Manuela “Lu” Wilp, and 18 year old, 5’3’’, 106-pound woman of Cologne, Germany representing the DeLuca Combat Catchascatchcan Wrestling Academy at The Hut Fighting Club in Alamogordo, New Mexico, won the first ever female no-rules bout, at the “Freestyle Fighting Alliance Shootfight”, held in Lubbock, Texas on February 21st, sponsored by Ruff House Promotions.

Wilp beat 5’2’’, 107-pound Trina Fellabaum of Amarillo, Texas by technical knockout. Within the first 30 seconds of the fight, Wilp pounded Fellabaum to the floor with an unstoppable flurry of strikes. In a last ditch effort of defense, Fellabaum turned her back to Wilp, allowing Wilp to strike the back of Fellabaum’s head. Referee, Felix Rios intervened, allowing Fellabaum a 10-count to compose herself. Rios restarted the fight, whereupon Wilp slammed Fellabaum down to the ring floor with a double leg takedown for the second and final time, and began her assault with open hand facial strikes. Fellabaum’s corner threw in the towel, to stop the attack. “It just went so quick – when I was really getting into it, they stopped the fight!” stated Wilp.

Fellabaum holds a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and has trained for several months in wrestling and shootfighting under the tutelage of Paul Buentello of Amarillo, Texas.

Wilp has been schooled for two months primarily on wrestling techniques, finishing holds and short-range striking. Wilp has had no formal martial arts background or prior athletic experience. Her coach stated prior to the fight that “everyone is excited about the fight due to it being the first of its kind; nobody knows what to expect.” DeLuca instilled confidence in Wilp’s abilities, and assessed her overall character and ability as “lightening fast and tough as nails.” DeLuca stated that “Lu has a good attitude, is willing to learn, and has a lot of guts and heart. We will continue to work with her, honing her wrestling skills, and placing a strong emphasis on conditioning. My goal is to teach her the basics – it’s up to Lu to decide whether she wants to pursue the sport at the next higher level. Lu possesses the basic ingredients to become a top champion – the sky's the limit with her potential.”
 

Story from BlackBelt Mag.
Wilp Wins First Female NHB Fight 

ALAMOGORDO, NM - Manuela "Lu" Wilp, an 18-year old martial artist from Cologne, Germany, won the first ever female no-holds-barred bout at the Freestyle Fighting Alliance Shootfight event, which was held in Lubbock, Texas on February 21, 1998. Wilp, who stands 5 feet 3 inches tall and weighs 106 pounds, defeated Trina Fellabaum of Amarillo, Texas, by technical knockout. 

Wilp was representing the DeLuca Combat Catchascatchcan Wrestling Academy. "Lu has a good attitude, is willing to learn, and has a lot of guts and heart," said her coach. "We will continue to work with her, honing her wrestling skills and placing a strong emphasis on conditioning."