Biggest Question in Women’s MMA – “Why hasn’t Zuffa Signed Cyborg?”

Strikeforce champion Cyborg Santos has been waiting on the sidelines for a year now to be resigned, and with the Zuffa purchasing the Bay Area company, the biggest question remains on if the champ will be resigned and if so, when.

Cyborg vs. Finney June 2010

Officially, Cyborg’s contract obligation ran out after the Jan Finney match in June of last year, and a lot of the reason why she was not resigned was because Strikeforce simply ran out of challengers. As the rest of 2010 and the beginning of 2011 came around, challengers have come out of the woodwork. Initially that was Julia Budd, then Amanda Nunes came on the scene. Germaine de Randamie, the kickboxing phenom, has signed with the promotion and has a great shot of matching Cyborg on her feet. So, lack of challengers is no longer an excuse.

When Zuffa came in, they didn’t resign all of the Strikeforce roster and roughly 4-6 of the fighters are under a Zuffa contract rather than their original Strikeforce contract. Zuffa is still on the fence about the women’s division, despite the fact that Strikeforce head Scott Coker stated the division will continue. The purse strings still lie with Zuffa, so it’s up to them to decide to resign Cyborg.

What is taking so long? A few theories have been floating around the internet. The first is that Zuffa isn’t interested in resigning Cyborg at all, because they don’t know what to do with her. Another is that she was asking for too much money. Personally, my theory is that Zuffa is still waiting for a proper challenger to get built up to face Cyborg, and it would be a waste of money to have her on the roster until then.

With Gina Carano’s delayed comeback, and the several matches scheduled to build both the 135 and 145 pound divisions, there are no slots available for the champ to defend her title. The best case scenario would be Sept. 10 with either the winner of Carano vs. D’Alelio (which is rumored for July 30) or the winner of the Julia Budd vs. Germaine de Randamie match on the June 24 card.

Until then, the women’s MMA fans will just have to wait.

Miriam Nakamoto and Wang Wei Square off in the the Philippines June 26

Miriam Nakamoto

Two tough kickboxers go international.

Miriam Nakamoto of the Combat Sports Academy in the Bay Area is set to face China’s Wang Wei in Manila, Philippines June 26 in a Shandong International challenge match.

The bout is being held by WCK Muay Thai, who is based out of California.

Top Five Female Fighters Zuffa Needs to Sign

With the Strikeforce acquisition by Zuffa, Strikeforce head Scott Coker promised that the women’s division would still be a part the organization. However, when the merger happened, all the fighters needed to be resigned. There are still several Strikeforce fighters that have not been offered to sign with Zuffa that have been with the company last year.

With that in mind, these are the top five fighters we feel should be signed to Strikeforce.

5) Elaina Maxwell

Maxwell has faced some of the best in the business and held her own. Although she lost to Shayna Baszler this past November, Maxwell rebounded and got a unanimous decision over former Strikeforce competitor Shana Olsen this past April.

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4) Hitomi Akano

The runner-up in the Strikefore Grand Prix last year, Akano proved her worth with current title challenger Miesha Tate in a decision and was able to sub Carina Damm on the same night. Trained by one of the top female fighters on the planet Megumi Fujii, Akano is set to face Roxanne Modafferi at the JEWELS card July 9.

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3) Rin Nakai

The 10-0 phenom from Japan is looking to make the jump to the U.S. With three TKO and four submission wins Nakai has outgrown the competition overseas and is a true character when it comes to promoting herself.

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2) Shayna Baszler

Ever since her decision loss to Sarah Kaufman, Baszler has been undefeated, gaining three submission wins and a close decision with Alexis Davis. Before the acquisition, Baszler had won the Freestyle Cage Fighting tournament, which offered the winner a Strikeforce contract. Her contract has yet to be picked up by Zuffa.

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1) Cyborg Santos

You read that right. The Strikeforce 145 pound champion has yet to get the call from Zuffa to be resigned. Being one of the biggest stars in women’s MMA today, it’s hard not to see value in resigning the champ. Cyborg hasn’t seen action since her title win against Jan Finney a  year ago. The match completed the terms of her contract, and the champ wants a match bad, as do the line of competitors who want to face her.

Taylor Stratford Dominant in Her Last Amateur Bout

If there is one fighter who is ready for the pros, it’s the now 10-1 Taylor Stratford.

A few weeks ago, the top ranked Stratford had announced she was turning pro after her match this past Friday and that she had gained Bud Light as a sponsor. (Ironically, the 19 year old fight cannot partake in the beverage.)

Startford, the Ultimate Reno Combat champion face Autumn Richardson for the belt Friday night, which was a lopsided win. Having dominated most of the match, Stratford gained a unanimous decision victory (49-47, 50-46, 50-46) .

It is not known when Stratford’s first pro match will be, but Ultimate Reno Combat has just announced that they have partnered with Takedown Entertainment to bring pro fights to their card. It’s also unknown if Stratford’s title will become pro or be vacated.

However, Stratford’s 145 pound Tuff-n-uff title will be vacated and the winner of the Autumn Ricarhdson vs. Jessamyn Duke match July 1 will be the new champion.

Liz Carmouche Coming into her Own

Strikeforce fighter Liz Carmouche talks to Sign on San Diego about training in MMA, her match with champion Marloes Coenen and being a lesbian fighter.

Takedown Entertainment Inks Deal with Ultimate Reno Combat MMA

Ultimate Reno Combat is taking a huge step up.

Takedown Entertainment, a public traded company, as acquired UNC’s past and future fight videos and will invest in getting the promotion to gain more professional fights. Takedown sites the URC commitment to women’s MMA as a major factor in the decision. Takedown also acquired rights to several MMA promotions including Scrap Live out of North Carolina, Fight 2 Win out of Colorado, and Freedom Fights out of Canada.

URC champion Taylor Stratford is set to face Autumn Richardson this weekend in her last match as an amateur (which will be live on GoFightLive.tv), and with the new deal, it won’t be surprising if the 19 year old phenom will stick around Reno a bit longer.

Strikeforce Champ Cyborg Santos Slams Tito Ortiz

Strikeforce Cyborg Santos is a powerhouse in women’s MMA, but you can’t truly appreciate it until you see it on a former UFC champ.

MMA H.E.A.T reporter Karyn Bryant posted this video today of Tito Ortiz and Cyborg sparring back in 2009 at Cleber Luciano’s gym in Huntington Beach. It sparks memories of the Sarah Kaufman slam of Roxanne Modafferi. as Cynorg slams Ortiz, but this time Ortiz holds on to get an armbar sub on her.

This past weekend, Cyborg showed her skills, throwing a few opponents around the mat at the BJJ World Championships. Cyborg is in limbo as Zuffa is still has yet to sign her back on and get her defending her title.

2011 USA Pankration – National Championships & US World Team Trials

When: Saturday, June 25th

Weigh-Ins: Friday, June 24th 2pm – 4pm

Double Elimination National Championship Tournament with Age and Weight Divisions for Men, Women, Teen and Kids

Schedule of Events:
8:30AM – REFEREE CLINIC/ MEETING
9:30AM – RULES DEMO / CHECKING OF BRACKETS
10:00AM – START OF YOUTH TOURNAMENT
12 Noon – RULES DEMO/ CHECKING OF BRACKETS
12:30PM – START OF ADULT TOURNAMENT

Tournament Entry Fee: $80 Adult – $50 Kids
>> Register Here <<

Non-Participant Door Entry: $10

For more information go to : http://www.usafpa.com/

The G2 Women’s MMA Summit Announces Major Seminars July 1-3

GFight and Tuff-n-uff have teamed up for the G2 Women’s MMA Summit is July 1-3, which will be the biggest gathering of female fighters on the planet.

Three days world class seminars are available to participants in MMA, BJJ, wrestling, and kickboxing. Women’s MMA legend Julie Kedzie, and one of the best kickboxers in the world Germaine de Randamie are among the elite instructors that will take your game to the next level.

Tuff-n-uff will aslo be hold an amateur MMA card, featuring two title matches:

Jessamyn Duke will take on Autumn Richardson for the vacant 145 pound title

and

Kainya Rain faces Jordan Nicole Gaza for the vacant 115 pound title.

Sponsors, mangers, promoters, and press will also be there to network and give you  an opportunity to get your name out there.

The Summit costs $120 in advance of $125 at the door. The Ramada Las Vegas is also offering a deal for summit members – $55 for a double occupancy room. If you are going solo, we can find you a roommate and that price will be cut in half.

Fore more information, please go to http://www.G2Fight.com.

Coenen vs. Tate signed Plus More News of the Week

New NAAFS chmapion Ais “The Bash” Daly  

In breaking news, #9 ranked 125 pounder and Ireland’s own Aisling Daly has gotten a well deserved win over #10 ranked Jessica Eye at the NAAFS card in Cleveland, OH over the weekend, making her the new champion.

Eye had a solid first round with Daly, exchanging shots early on the clinch, and reversing a takedown to take half guard. Eye was able to land some ground in pound in before Daly got back to her feet just before the bell.

Daly (Top) secures a rear naked choke on Eye (bottom)

In the second round, it was Daly who got the takedown, countering an Eye kick. Eye tried for an armbar, and gained a reverse mount position, trying to get a heel hook. Daly got top position and half guard. Eye tried again for the heel hook, but Daly found the opportunity to take the back and secure the rear naked choke at the 4:00 mark in the second round.

Eye did get some good news that night, however. She has been signed to Bellator, which fuels conjecture that a 125 pound tournament maybe in the fall.

Caplan (bottom) goes for an armbar on Morgan (top)

Also on the card, in amateur action Andria Caplan defeats Amanda Wilcoxen-Morgan by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) in a 160 pound catchweight bout.

In the only other pro match this week, Kelly Warren defeated Sarah Lacina via Arm Triangle in round 2 of the Extreme Challenge: Battle at the Ballpark card in Cedar Rapids, IA.

In amateur action, Evva Johnson defeated Sarah Cook via arm bar at 2:08 to win the AAMMA 135lb female title in Lexington, KY.

Miesha Tate (left) faces Marles Coenen (right) July 30

The long awaited Strikeforce 135 pound title match between Marloes Coenen and Miesha Tate has been set for July 30 in Chicago. Tate had to pull out of her originally scheduled fight with Coenen this past March due to a knee injury. Coenen faced Liz Carmouche in the match and won by triangle choke. Coenen and Tate have been in a war of words since Tate pulled out of the fight, so hype about this match has grown.

Amanda Nunes Out with broken foot

In other Strikeforce news, #3 ranked 145 pounder Amanda Nunes has withdrawn form her scheduled fight with #9 ranked 135er Julie Kedzie at the Strikeforce Dallas card due to a hairline fracture of the foot. It is not know if Kedzie will face a replacement fight, or if the two will square off at a future Strikeforce card.

Roxanne Modafferi (left) and Hitomi Akano (right) 

JEWELS MMA announced that #4 ranked 135 pounder Roxanne Modafferi will be getting her long awaited match with #8 Hitomi Akano at their 15th Ring card July 7. Modafferi was going to face Akano on the DEEP card New Years weekend, but Modafferi feel ill before the fight. This will mark the first time the two friends will face off against each other.

Yamaguchi (left) & Esui (right) at JEWELS 15 Press Conference

Also on the card, #2 ranked 145 pounder Hiroko Yamanaka will face tough Mongolian wrestler Bolormaa “Esui” Erdenebileg, and #3 ranked 115 pounder Mei Yamaguchi faces #9 ranked Seo Hee Ham.

Cyborg Santos wins gold at BJJ World Championships

Over the weekend, the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world championships, also know as the Mundials, happen in Long Beach, CA. Several MMA fighters competed in grappling, as well as a lot of grapplers who maybe MMA stars in the coming year.

The talk of the tournament was Strikeforce 145 pound champion Cyborg Santos, who won first place in the Purple Belt Heavy division in dramatic fashion. She was able to secure throws on both of her opponents, getting wins by points.

Other fighters gaining some medals are Jessica Eve Richer winning the Blue Belt heavy division; #4 ranked 125 pounder Cat Zingano taking second in the Purple Belt Light division, and ADCC World champions Hannett Stack (Black Belt Middle) and Luana Alzuguir (Black Belt Light) Both taking first place.

Complete results can be found at: http://www.ibjjf.org/results/2011mundial.htm

ShoFight MMA announced they will be putting on a card in Branson, MO June 24, and will feature multiple amateur women’s bouts, inclduing Women’s Lightweight Champ Courtney ‘The Krakken’ Stowe verses Philadelphia, PA’s Andria Caplan in the Main Event.

Also, Andrea “Pitbull” Whitney will face Lylna Thao of Rogers, AR for the Women’s Bantamweight Belt.

Alex Stobbe, Ashley Milton, Sharita Fayne-Davis, Rachel Kidder, and Nicole Lipe are also signed to the card.

Finally, Marisa Caldwell announced she is facing Munah Holland at the Ring of Combat card in Atlantic City, NJ on June 17, which will be streamed live on GoFightLive.tv for $10.

There are no pro matches in women’s MMA this week.