Womens' MMA mega-thread

[Ronald_Frump]

I think they should get her testing clean and then put her against Kaufman, so we can judge her non-juiced striking ability. Meanwhile, feed Coenen to Rousey, then have Tate vs McMann as the next contender match.

Make Cyborg wait until this has happened before getting the title shot. It also builds things up a bit. 

[sleepinbin]

Now they say it was all down to steroids.

in fairness, steroids aren't always magical be-better juice. yes, it's cheating but there are certain things (lots of things) steroids cant improve, so it remains to be seen how well she looks off them. she could still look very capable (or still be on them, heaven knows the majority of athletes probably are...).

personally im bummed by how vindictive people were over this - men who have been caught juicing haven't caught a fraction of the flak. yeah, steroids are terrible, really are, but cyborg has been treated far worse by the media and fans over them than pretty much anyone else in mma who got caught. just think its a sign of a backwards view towards women that still pervades :/

[Ronald_Frump]

Yeah a lot of it it sexist. Also the hype surrounding high-profile athletes such as Lance Armstrong has made it more current and sensitive, just lately.

[sammy_scuffles]

Cyborg made some very good fighters in Shayna Baszler, Gina Carano, and Marloes Coenen, appear grossly outmatched.

While she's an excellent fighter, she's also just flat out bigger than Baszler and Coenen. Carano didn't really look grossly outmatched against Cyborg, she did decently standing up and had several moments when she ended up in mount (and then made the horrible mistake of standing up). My opinion on that fight is that Carano ran out of gas - it was after all her first ever fight with 5 minute rounds - and quit.

Baszler and Coenan make 135 easily, Cyborg struggles with 145. It's hardly a surprise she outmuscled these two.

I think they should get her testing clean and then put her against Kaufman, so we can judge her non-juiced striking ability. Meanwhile, feed Coenen to Rousey, then have Tate vs McMann as the next contender match.

Can't happen unless Santos can get down to 135. Why would Kaufmann leave the weight class which is the only game in town and go up in weight?

personally im bummed by how vindictive people were over this - men who have been caught juicing haven't caught a fraction of the flak. yeah, steroids are terrible, really are, but cyborg has been treated far worse by the media and fans over them than pretty much anyone else in mma who got caught. just think its a sign of a backwards view towards women that still pervades :/

The fact that she looks so masculine makes her an easy target too. In any case, I'm the exact reverse of your opinion here. I wish people would be much harder on the male fighters who test positive for performance enhancing drugs. If a fighter suffers a serious injury at the hands of an opponent who then tests positive all hell will break loose. If I ran the sport I'd be seriously considering a 1-strike-and-you're-out policy. Fighters would be a hell of a lot less likely to take a risk on cheating if they knew that they'd get tossed from the UFC for life for doing it.

[Ronald_Frump]

I think they should get her testing clean and then put her against Kaufman, so we can judge her non-juiced striking ability. Meanwhile, feed Coenen to Rousey, then have Tate vs McMann as the next contender match.

Can't happen unless Santos can get down to 135. Why would Kaufmann leave the weight class which is the only game in town and go up in weight?

No, what I meant was @ 135. Dana's hinted that Cyborg will make that weight. Probably been having negotiations on the quiet. It's in that video above, where Ronda is presented with the belt. IIRC he says it WILL happen AND @ 135.

[sammy_scuffles]

I'll believe it when I see her step on the scales. Fact of the matter is that she really needs to get down to 135 though, there's quite simply no fights of note for her at 145. If she does get to 135 it'll be interesting to see whether she's still a monster or whether it costs her a lot of that strength advantage she always took into fights at 145.

Her only other option is to talk trash at Rousey and accuse her of ducking and being a coward and blah blah blah in the hopes of getting a fight at a higher weight. Which is going to get old pretty fast because Ronda quite simply doesn't need her when there's still interesting fights at 135.

[sleepinbin]

In any case, I'm the exact reverse of your opinion here. I wish people would be much harder on the male fighters who test positive for performance enhancing drugs.

oh no, you misunderstand me - this would be the ideal scenario, but since it isn't, the reaction to cyborg was just depressing. 

[femfightwatcher]

My cable listings seem to be out of date.

Felice Herrig calls Gutierrez a liar for pulling out of Bellator Championship

http://www.sherdog.net/forums/showthread.php?p=77106129

Michele Gutierrez Injured, Patricia Vidonic Now Faces Felice Herrig at Bellator 84

http://knuxx.com/2012/12/michele-gutierrez-injured-patricia-vidonic-now-faces-felice-herrig-at-bellator-84/

[Ronald_Frump]

Thanks for the info, FFW. Looks like a good a promising match-up!

[crushed4life]

Fighter Babe Jessica Branco Makes her MMA Debut on Sunday

Fighter babe Jessica Branco (0-0) will make her MMA debut against Gayrene Meade (0-0) this Sunday at Super Brawl MMA in Davie, FL at Cowboys Saloon. This 25 year old Portuguese-Canadian fighter was born and raised in Montreal, Canada. Being an only child Jessica found sports early on including her passion for figure skating and in recent year's martial arts. Just one year ago Jessica made the biggest move of her life, packed up her car and drove down to Florida, her new home to pursue her dreams in martial arts. We recently caught up with Jessica for the interview below prior to her big MMA debut.

How did you get involved in martial arts and how long have you been training?

-I started jiu-jitsu two and a half years ago. As for wrestling and striking I started a year ago. My interest in martial arts started when I use to watch "The Ultimate Fighter season 1″ with my dad. I was impressed to see how far a man can push thru the pain but never thought I could do it until I turned 22 and started partying and got involved in street fights. I realized I kind of liked it and maybe I should try it which I did and stuck to it since day one!

Where are you currently training, and what's a typical training week like for you?

-I'm training at American Top Team in Coconut Creek, FL! My weekly training consist of 2-3 training sessions a day, five days a week and I like to do a two hour drill on Saturday. I usually train in the morning, go back home to eat and sleep and then go back around four to spar, following with a class at night. It's a pretty cool schedule.

Tell us about your upcoming fight, who you're fighting and where?

-I will be fighting Gayrene Meade at Super Brawl MMA this Sunday in Davie, FL at Cowboys Saloon.

What are your thoughts going into your very first MMA fight?

-I'm super excited! Like I said before I'm Canadian and I had two professional fights scheduled in the last year which did not happen due to injuries, my move to the States and I had many things to fix in my life. Everything happens for a reason and I'm happy to be here and fight amateur first. That way I'll get my experience and build my style before I jump into the big leagues. I'm happy to finally test my skills and what I have learned so far! It's my first one so there's a bunch of things I want to try!

What advice would you give to other women who are reading this interview and want to get started in MMA?

-I went thru a lot of situations since I started training. People held me back because I am not a "fighter looking type". It always bothers me. I feel like I have to prove myself to the world all the time. The only advice I could tell the other girls is to follow their heart. If you really want something, only you can make it happen. Whatever people say or think it doesn't matter. Train hard and do what makes you happy. The best revenge is success!

What or who are your inspirations in MMA and life?

-I'm a big fan of Ronda Rousey! She's good looking and she's tough. She use to bartend like me and she lived in Montréal for a little while so I kind of find myself in her in a way. I think she's really good for WMMA.

Who are your favorite MMA fighters?

-My favorite MMA fighters are BJ Penn, Jose Aldo and Ronda Rousey.

How do you enjoy your free time when not training or fighting?

-I like the beach a lot! I was born and raised in the cold so it's new for me. I like to go to the beach on my day off just to lie down and get my tan. I like surfing, watching movies or playing video games with my roommates!!

Of course we have a few questions for the male readership as well.

Are you single?

-Yes I'm single. Haven't found the one who can handle me yet!! Haha

What do you look for in a guy?

-I have a weakness for athletes with dark hair and dark eyes. I rarely get attracted to the white boy type! I like a tough guy that knows how to loosen up and make me laugh. Someone I can be comfortable enough with to share and talk to. Relationships are team work!

What are your turn-ons?

-That's a secret!! But I would say it depends on the energy and the connections I have with the guy.

What are your turnoffs?

-Hahaha.....biggest turn off to me is to be able to beat up my boyfriend. Can't deal with someone weak!!! I don't like the easy guy neither...a lil chase is always fun!

What would you say is your best feature?

-I would say my eyes and my booty. These are my two weapons against men!!!

Any future plans or dreams?

-I want to fight as much as I can and hopefully make a good career out of it. Plus I like fashion and communication so maybe I'll use my fighter status to create a clothing line for girls in martial arts or commentate for sports. Obviously I would like to teach in the future and share my passion for the sport!

Any shout outs you would like to make?

-I would like to thank Bob Deluca for his help and support all the time. My training partners Ediane "India" Gomes, Tecia "The Tiny Tornado" Torres and Felipe Liborio. I would also like to thank everybody at ATT, my coaches and the fighters that help me. You guys are my daily motivation, these guys make me believe that dreams can come true! A big thank you to my Muay Thai coach Raul Llopis, he inspires me and someone I look up to.

Thank you for the interview Jessica and we are looking forward to a great fight on Sunday! Good luck on your debut and career as an MMA fighter. For more on Jessica please visit her Facebook and Twitter pages.

[Ronald_Frump]

-Hahaha.....biggest turn off to me is to be able to beat up my boyfriend. Can't deal with someone weak!!!

-I would say my eyes and my booty. These are my two weapons against men!!!

Anyone else notice a facesitting-contradiction in these two statements?

[wrespet]

Fighter Babe Jessica Branco Makes her MMA Debut on Sunday

What would you say is your best feature?

-I would say my eyes and my booty. These are my two weapons against men!!!

no doubt abt the thing abt her booty.

[Ronald_Frump]

It's amazing how much use of the cage itself, determines where the action ends up.

Clinch-craft, so to speak.

Thanks FFW

[crushed4life]

No doubt her match will show up on youtube...she likes to wear tight leggings in her bjj match videos on yt. I HOPE she'll be dressed like that! Please, no baggy boxer trunks over 'em!

*damn, I keep getting "Internal Server Error" messages when I try to post here...

[Ronald_Frump]

damn, I keep getting "Internal Server Error" messages when I try to post here..

You gotta be kiddin' me!