Hit me baby one more time! Backing dancer who has worked with the likes of Britney Spears and Beyoncé forges new career as a lingerie-clad martial arts fighter

  • Orlando, Florida, native Teri London, 29, fights in the Lingerie Fighting League, where she takes on other women while wearing negligees 
  • But when she isn't hitting the ring, she's a dancer who has appeared in music videos and on tour for some of pop's biggest stars 

By Dailymail.com Reporter

Published: 17:46 EST, 7 December 2015 | Updated: 19:20 EST, 7 December 2015

Speed, agility and an ability to hit the mark at just the right moment are some of the skills every professional dancer needs - and the same could be said for mixed martial arts fighters.

It's probably why the transition has been all but seamless for Teri London, 29, from Orlando, Florida, who recently went from busting moves in pop smash music videos to busting heads in the Lingerie Fighting League, which sees female combatants fight in a selection of racy underwear.

An LFC bout has all the action of a regular MMA contest but with more focus on ground work fighting than stand up striking.

Bit of a change: Teri London, 29, from Orlando, Florida, who has previously worked as a backing dancer for pop queens, has joined the Lingerie Fighting League

Bit of a change: Teri London, 29, from Orlando, Florida, who has previously worked as a backing dancer for pop queens, has joined the Lingerie Fighting League

Busting moves: Teri has to train for nearly eight hours every day to be in shape for her careers
Busting moves: Teri has to train for nearly eight hours every day to be in shape for her careers

 Busting moves: Teri has to train for nearly eight hours every day to be in shape for her careers

In order to be in top shape for fights, Teri trains for nearly eight hours a day.

As well as honing her fighting skills, her training schedule includes gym work, hitting the dance studio, running and swimming.

And on top of all of that, Teri continues to dance around her hectic schedule, and has appeared in routines for a host of stars such as Pitbull and Skrillex.

Backing it up: Teri was one of the dancers in Beyonce's video for Run the World (Girls)

Backing it up: Teri was one of the dancers in Beyonce's video for Run the World (Girls)

Who run the world? Teri London is seen second from right dancing behind Beyonce in the video for the hit song

Who run the world? Teri London is seen second from right dancing behind Beyonce in the video for the hit song

Double life: The LFL sees female combatants fight it out in a ring while wearing a selection of racy lingerie

Double life: The LFL sees female combatants fight it out in a ring while wearing a selection of racy lingerie

Shifting focus: An LFC bout has all the action of a regular MMA fight, but is battled out with more ground work fighting than stand up striking

Shifting focus: An LFC bout has all the action of a regular MMA fight, but is battled out with more ground work fighting than stand up striking

The fighter, who has previously appeared in videos such as Beyonce's Run the World (Girls), revealed her interest in MMA and boxing came from her older brothers.

She said: 'I became interested in LFC because it combines fighting with sexy outfits - as a dancer I just thought it was a really cool mix.

'Dancing and MMA require lots of discipline and, obviously, you have to keep your body in peak condition.'

Looking up: Teri said she became interested in fighting through her older brothers' interest in MMA and boxing

Looking up: Teri said she became interested in fighting through her older brothers' interest in MMA and boxing

Mixing it up: Teri thought that the LFL would be a good fit for her because it 'combines fighting with sexy outfits'

Mixing it up: Teri thought that the LFL would be a good fit for her because it 'combines fighting with sexy outfits'

Getting started: Though Teri has only fought in two bouts so far, she has already earned the nickname 'Feisty Fists' and has won a match

Getting started: Though Teri has only fought in two bouts so far, she has already earned the nickname 'Feisty Fists' and has won a match

Nicknamed 'Feisty Fists', Teri has had two fights so far - LFC 19 and LFC 20 - with a record of 1-1.

Both of Teri's fights have been held in Las Vegas, with her next bout scheduled to take place in February 2016.

In her second fight, at LFC 20, Teri was far more confident in the ring, winning the fight, as well as praise from her friends and family.

Moving up: Though she lost her first fight, Teri was more confident the second time around and gained a win

Moving up: Though she lost her first fight, Teri was more confident the second time around and gained a win

Looking ahead: Teri's fights have both been held in Las Vegas and her next is scheduled for February 2016

Looking ahead: Teri's fights have both been held in Las Vegas and her next is scheduled for February 2016

Perfectionist: Teri claims she is 'my own biggest critic so I saw lots I still need to work on'

Perfectionist: Teri claims she is 'my own biggest critic so I saw lots I still need to work on'

She revealed her parents are extremely supportive of her exploits as a fighter.

'I'm my own biggest critic so I saw lots I still need to work on but I'm the type who will put in the work,' she explained.

'Someday I'd like to hoist the championship belt.'

And while some may look at the sport and find themselves unable to look past the pretty ladies wearing skimpy underwear, Shaun Donnelly, founder and CEO of LFC, believes looking good in lingerie isn't enough to succeed in the LFC.

Big plans: Teri hopes to one day 'hoist the championship belt' as a MMA fighter

Making the cut: Founder Shaun Donnell explained that the LFC requires a lot more than looking good in lingerie

Making the cut: Founder Shaun Donnell explained that the LFC requires a lot more than looking good in lingerie

 Pushing back: However, he admitted that 'some contestants are lingerie models, so they don't want to destroy their looks by beating each other to bloody pulps'

 Pushing back: However, he admitted that 'some contestants are lingerie models, so they don't want to destroy their looks by beating each other to bloody pulps'

He said: 'The girls have to be able to move in the cage and protect themselves.

'LFC isn't nearly as brutal as a UFC fight, but there are black eyes and split lips.

'Ultimately some contestants are lingerie models, so they don't want to destroy their looks by beating each other to bloody pulps.'  

Comments (47)

Share what you think

 View all

The comments below have not been moderated.

 View all

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Add your comment

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now