VIDEO: This Irish woman heads to Vegas hoping to become the female Conor McGregor

By David Raleigh

An Irish woman hopes to become the female equivalent of Conor McGregor after winning five out of five of her first pro mixed martial arts cage fights.

Catherine "Alpha Female" Costigan, from Limerick, has promised to defeat experienced US cage fighter Amber Brown, in Las Vegas on July 10th, as she embarks on her dream of entering the history books as Ireland's first-ever female MMA World Champion.

Ms Costigan's match against Brown is scheduled two days before Dubliner McGregor goes into battle with fellow UFC star Chad Mendes, also in Las Vegas.

Costigan, who is an Irish Kickboxing Champion, European Sanda Kickboxing Champion and undefeated Invicta Pro MMA fighter - has exploded onto the cage fighting scene and cites McGregor as a major inspiration.

Speaking in her native Limerick ahead of her upcoming cage fight she said no one will stand in her way of becoming MMA World Champion.

"On his worst day (Conor's) ready, he's like me. So, it doesn't really matter who they put out in front of you," the 5' 4" female warrior said.

Irish One Direction star Niall Horan has criticised Brazilian UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo, after he sensationally pulled out of a title fight with McGregor -- but Ms Costigan defended the Brazilian adding: "To be fair I don't think he's a coward by backing out, he's bruised ribs. I've had them before and that's very painful, even to throw a punch," Ms Costigan said.

"To do the amount of work he would have to do in the cage (against McGregor), to defend his title, is just too much to risk, and I think he is right by backing out," the Limerick female fighter said.

"Chad Mendez is an amazing fighter, he's actually maybe a slightly tougher fight (for Conor) because he can wrestle really really well."

She added: "People have always questioned Conor (on his wrestling) and that (wrestling) is his weakness, but I don't believe that, because I think Conor is training with the best, to be the best, and to beat everybody in the (UFC) division," she added.

Thousands of Irish UFC and MMA fans are flocking to Nevada for both McGregor and Costigan's fights.

"Some of finest Irish athletes are going to invade Vegas next week and we are going to dominate, and we are going show the Americans exactly what we've been doing all those years when they didn't know so much about what was going on in Ireland," Ms Costigan said.

The 35-year old Limerick woman says her diet, combined with nutritional supplements, and her training, make her feel invincible.

"When I beat Amber Brown I'm going to go get that world title," she said, oozing confidence.

Costigan in action during a fight.

Punching, body locking, kneeing, kicking, pounding, elbows, and choking are all allowed under MMA cage fighting rules.

"She's done. She's toast," Costigan added.

The Munster-based MMA Pro fighter first began participating in junior kickboxing tournaments before switching to adult female cage fighting.

As she prepared for her battle against Amber Brown next week, she vowed: "I'm going to put (Brown) up, put her down, put her everywhere and anywhere she doesn't know where she's going."