Womens' MMA mega-thread

[Fresh P]

Joanna Jedrzejczyk had a great debut against Juliana Lima winning 30-27, 29-28, 30-27, her stand up was brilliant.

[jiminy]

Sara McMann became the linear InvictaFC bantamweight champion as she was awarded a split decision win over the previously unbeaten Lauren Murphy on Saturday night.

It was a poor performance from McMann however, who despite being successful with her takedowns in rounds 1 and 2, really did nothing but lay in Murphy's guard and sluggishly work for position rather than utilize ground and pound or greater intensity and work rate. The fighters were stood up as McMann did little but "lay and prey" while Murphy, to her credit, racked up more than double the ground strikes of her opponent from the bottom, keeping busy with short elbows and rabbit punches to Sara's ears.

Personally I would have given the fight to Murphy for her efforts. Unfortunately, in the UFC, if you can score a takedown and spend the majority of the round on top, you win the round, even if your opponent did more damage, or looked busier from the bottom.

Frankly, I've about given up on Sara McMann. She's got loads of skill and physical horsepower, but ultimately, she's just too nice to be a "cage fighter" - she still wants to be a wrestler and that will hold her back. I've heard from multiple sources that she "hits hard" but hitting pads and hitting people are two different things. Roxanne Modaferri is similar in that respect, a great grappler, but never realised her potential due to her reluctance to turn on the dark and really put a beating on someone.

[Ronald_Frump]

Gotta agree. Sarah has been around for a similar time to R3, but has made little progress in her game. Ronda on the other hand, has worked hard on her striking and has a natural talent for transitions and submissions. McMann is a slow learner and at 34 years of age, has virtually no time left to develop. As the influx of future talent fleshes out the division, I can see her dropping to gatekeeper status in the women's top 10 rankings.

[jiminy]

I think psychologically, the two are very different as well. I guess Sara would consider herself an althlete, whereas Ronda is more of a gladiator. Ronda has talked about wanting to punch out some of the girls she used to go up against in Judo, beating people up on the street and that she felt no remorse for breaking peoples' arms... The more violent nature of MMA obviously suits her down to the ground.

Personally I don't think we've yet scratched the surface of how good Ronda is. That's why I want to see her pushed, because I think she's an absolute warrior with no quit in her. I don't think she'd ever tap out and would be the type who carries on fighting with a broken arm or all bloodied and bashed up. I'd love to see her against Cyborg, both gassed in the 4th and 5th round, swinging like bums ala Shogun/Henderson I. Unfortunately I think Ronda/Cyborg would be anti-climatic if it ever happens. If Cyborg could match her for strength and aggression, she'd lose because she's not as technically skilled. She'd get her arm or neck snared pretty quickly.

I was impressed with McMann being able to keep Ronda standing, no one has been able to stop Ronda's throws/trips/takedowns, but it comes back to Ronda being so well rounded these days. McMann may have been able to negate her grappling, but Ronda's improved striking, aggression and killer instinct was too much for her.

[Ronald_Frump]

The problem is, McMann's game relies on taking people to the ground and maintaining top control until she can ground and pound. If she was unable to pass Murphy's guard, she'd stand no chance against R3. That would leave her open to armbars, kimuras, triangles and neck cranks/guillotines.

Lay 'n' pray with R3 would be like trying to hold down an anaconda.

[jiminy]

Lay 'n' pray with R3 would be like trying to hold down an anaconda.

A good way of putting it. It was said before the fight that Sara needed to use her wrestling in reverse to keep the fight standing and ideally, at range. The clinch was always going to be pivotal and obviously Ronda got the better of it.

And yeah, as we saw in the 2nd Tate fight, when Tate was actually successful with a takedown, Ronda's rubber guard was absolutely devestating and she busted Miesha up with elbows. Even if you take away the skill and technique, there's an underlying beastliness to her - she has incredible core strength and hip flexibility that even the Gracie's referred to as "uncanny" in one of their breakdown vids. Taking Ronda down is about as smart as bungee jumping off a bridge with the rope around your neck.

[Ronald_Frump]

Taking Ronda down is about as smart as bungee jumping off a bridge with the rope around your neck.

Good analogy, lol! However, I'd jump into her guard for the chance to feel her thighs around my neck.....

[jiminy]

I'd probably go with Sara McMann personally; for sure I'd get mauled, pinned and immobilized by her aka "wrestle fucked", but at least I'd probably be able to walk away with my limbs and consciousness intact.

[Fresh P]

I'm surprised at all the uproar from the McMann fight, that's the way she's always fought, it wont change.

[Ronald_Frump]

I'm surprised at all the uproar from the McMann fight, that's the way she's always fought, it wont change.

Nice gifs!

She hasn't improved on passing guard, submissions, or dominant G'n'P. Personally, I think lesser fighters than Ronda could beat her. I believe even Tate would sub her.

[Fresh P]

I'm surprised at all the uproar from the McMann fight, that's the way she's always fought, it wont change.

Nice gifs!

She hasn't improved on passing guard, submissions, or dominant G'n'P. Personally, I think lesser fighters than Ronda could beat her. I believe even Tate would sub her.

After watching Tate's performance against Carmouche, I don't like Tate's chances against McMann.

[crushed4life]

[crushed4life]

Impressive UFC debut for hottie Paige Vanzant (115 lbs) tonight

[Fresh P]

I had Curran down to win that fight. Good win for VanZant.

[Ronald_Frump]