Unlike most people, Ruth Rivera doesn’t mind getting punched in the face.

In her case, it usually means a retaliation to her opponent.

For the past four years, the Whitehall junior has been training as a MMA fighter. She also is a member of the Whitehall wrestling team.

In fact, Rivera was awarded a unanimous decision in her first MMA fight in the 130-pound class last weekend.

For Rivera, any physical play is always welcomed.

“Ever since I was little, I have always been very aggressive,” stressed Rivera. “It’s just who I am. I started watching the UFC and MMA fights on TV, and I wanted to try it.

“Once I started training, I knew it was for me.”

On the high school front, Rivera joined the Whitehall wrestling team last season, and she made it to the “blood round” – the round that would win a medal – before she was eliminated.

This season, Rivera duplicated the effort, as she again advanced to the blood round at states before she was eliminated. Rivera did win her weight class at the War On the Shore Tournament this season in Maryland in January.

Overall, Rivera had an 0-3 record against boys and a 5-3 mark against girls this season.

Head coach Tim Cunningham believes Rivera will leave her imprint on the wrestling community.

“She is one of the hardest workers and has the drive to be the best she can be,” beamed Cunningham. “She leads by example and has a lot of grit and toughness. Ruth loves to compete and will continue to improve as she gets more experience.”

Rivera credits her parents for her MMA beginnings. From the start, she hasn’t taken her foot off the pedal from kick boxing and wrestling.

“They saw how aggressive I was when I was younger, and thought it could work for me,” she said. “When I have trained, I have faced boys and men. I haven’t felt nervous at all, and I will go right at them.

“I love the physical contact and being in the ring. I really enjoy kickboxing, but I think I love wrestling better. Wrestling is something I still have to work at more. I have learned a lot over the past two years with wrestling, and I know how I can get better. My coach has been working with me during workouts on the weekend, and we’ll keep working on it.

“But it has worked out well. When wrestling is over, I can concentrate on the MMA fights.”

Rivera, who has aspirations of entering the MMA profession after high school, is awaiting to see when her next bout will be scheduled. She is active in her church and also serves as a school ambassador to help new students adjust to their surroundings.

Until then, it will be business as usual.

“I really don’t have any hobbies,” she said. “This is what I like to do. So far, it has been a great experience, and I know there is more to come.