There is never a singular reason to pursue boxing and not one mindset to train in it.
This is one of the many lessons from Jill Morley’s award winning documentary “Fight Like a Girl”, which saw it’s major release to most formats this week. The movie follow Morely beginning her journey into the sport and the many female pugilists she encounters along the way. Among them, a boxer looking to snap a losing streak (Kim Tomes), one on the rise in the sport but fighting ageism (Susan Merlucci), and an undefeated pro recovering from mental stumbling blocks as she seeks gold (Maureen Shea).
Morely’s story of abuse and depression is the main focus of the movie, which proves fighting is not only a physical game but a mental one as well. Each fighter including Morely must not only fight opponents and fatigue; they also must overcome doubt, heartbreak, and past traumas.
Morely’s look into the lives of these female fighters give you a great insight into how a mind of a fighter works. Anyone, male or female, can relate to a person featured in the documentary, and it’s well worth a watch.
In pro MMA at PeruFC, Mariana Moraes defeated Cristina Mejía by unanimous decision
In boxing in New York, New York, Heather Hardy defeated Elizabeth Anderson by unanimous decision.
In action Thursday at Circuito Team Nogueira in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Juliana Velasquez defeats Priscila de Souza by unanimous decision in a pro MMA bout. In amateur action, Karoline Martins defeated Nicole Ball by knockout.
At OneFC Friday morning, Ana Julaton defeated Walaa Abas by unanimous decision and Jujeath Nagaowa defeated Tharoth Sam by TKO round 2.
Justino
Cyborg Justino has given up on going to 135 for now.
The InvictaFC featherweight stated to MMA Fighting her injury has delayed the cut and she is questioning if she can even make 135.
The plan is for Justino to defend her 145 title at InvictaFC’s 11th event in February. We are expecting an announcement Friday night during InvictaFC 10 on the location and opponent.
On Wednesday’s episode of TUF 20, two fighters advanced to set the semi-finals.
Former InvictaFC champion Carla Esparza defeated Tecia Torres in a grudge match. Esparza’s wrestling is what gave her the edge in the majority decision win. Esparza will face another former InvictaFC champion in Jessica Penne in the semi-finals.
The other semi-final saw Rose Namajunas submit Joanne Calderwood by kimura. Namajunas used her bjj skills to attack Calderwood. Calderwood tried to make up ground with strikes in round two, but Namajunas was able to get the kimura on the ground to get tap. This was the first time Calderwood was submitted in an MMA competition. Namajunas will face Randa Markos in the semi-finals.
V3 has announce an amateur bantamweight title match in Memphis for January 24 pitting two top amateur prospects.
We have us a challenger for the undisputed V3 female champ, Amberlynn Orr (8-1) will take on Alyssa Vasquez (6-4).
It will most likely be streamed and we will have more info closer to the event.
Gina Carano made a visit to the CSA gym in Dublin, CA this past week. CSA is home gym to Alexis Davis, Zoila Gurgel, and Miriam Nakamoto among others. She was just visiting there and not there to train, at least no seriously.
On the podcast Sunday at 1 p.m. pst/4 p.m. est, we will talk to InvictaFC’s Marion Reneau, who was supposed to be fighting Friday night. We will review the action from the card, and her aspirations in the promotion.
Rose Namajunas has brought in RFA star Kyra Batara into training camp. Batara, an atomweight star, comes from a solid wrestling background. (Hint hint!)
We should be expecting some female bout announcements in the next few weeks from the UFC. Holly Holm says she will be ready to go come February, and TUF 18 winner Juliana Pena in March.
Sarah Kaufman is now challenging Jessica Andrade to a fight her next.
On Saturday, undefeated Ashlee Evans-Smith will make her UFC debut taking on Raquel Pennington in Las Vegas. Both Smith (135.5) and Pennington (136) made weight.
Smith (3-0) won the CSA featherweight tournament last year and soon signed to the World Series of Fighting. She got the TKO over Marciea Allen in June and was waiting for another fight. She was released from the WSOF just as the UFC offer came around.
TUF 18 vet Pennington (4-4) is coming off a close loss to Jessica Andrade this past March. Pennington won her official UFC debut with a decision over Roxanne Modafferi.
The fight will kick off the UFC televised prelims on Fox Sports 1.
MMA Super Heroes will close its year with two female bouts.
Tournament champion Renata Baldan is lookig to recover from her first loss as she takes on Luciana Treze. Also, Karina Santana de Oliveira takes on Mariana Leonardo in a flyweight bout.
In other pro bouts:
At Roshambo in Australia, Megan Anderson takes on Zoie Shreiweis
Ariel Beck faces Angela Hayes at Fightforce on Butte, MT
At Maringá Combat in Maringa, Parana, Brazil, Hevellyn Moura battles Hilana Rezende
Jessica Zomchik fights Stacey Sigala at Gladiators of the Cage in Pittsburgh, PA. In amateur action, Jena Baldwin takes on Jamie Driver and Melissa Gasdick faces Sarah Click
Ammy MMA
In amateur MMA:
At Conflict MMA in Hardeeville, SC, Jenna Fox faces Annie DeCresente
At SGB in Ireland, Jaye Hayes battles Sinead Kavanagh
In a pair of bouts at British Challenge MMA in Colchester, Essex, England, Jaye Haynes fights Sinead Kavanagh and Wendy McKenna faces Ameesha Bhudia (125)
At Cowboy Extreme Fighting in San Antonio, Texas, Dominique Gallegher-Gonzales takes on Stephanie Builderback and Laurie Ashby battles Brandi Narvaez (115)
In a pair of bouts at Rumble at the Roseland in Portland, OR, Chun Yang fights Hailea Brooks and Kalyn Schwartz takes on Lisa Spangler
Yumi Matsumoto faces Danielle Alfapada at King of the Cage in Las Vegas, Nevada
At Matrix Fights in Philadelphia, PA, Serena DeJesus battles Amanda Kramny
Victoria Franco fights Makana Clemons at Kingdom 3 in Houston, TX
Boxing
Undefeated Nicole Wesner will look for her first world titles as she takes on Gina Chamie for the vacant WIBF and vacant WBF lightweight title in Vienna, Austria.
Wesbner (8-0) has only started as a pro two years ago, but has stayed active on her run to a title match. Chamie is the former WBC Youth lightweight title holder.
WBC World flyweight champion Shindo Go will look to defend her title for the third time as she takes on Arely Mucino in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico.
Go (14-2) is on a four fight win streak and has 9 KOs to her credit. She has yet to be stopped. Mucino (20-2) if the former interim WBA and IBF World flyweight champion .
In Sonora, Mexico, Jackie Nava will defend her WBC and WBA super bantamweight title against Sayda Mosquera.
Nava (30-4) won her past seven fights, gaining the belts along the way. Undefeated Sayda Mosquera (7-0) is the current WBC Latino female bantamweight champion
In Philipsburg, Sint Maarten, Sonya Lamonakis and Carlette Ewell will fight in a rematch for the vacant IBO World heavyweight title. The two faced each other in 2012 and fought to a draw.
Lamonakis (9-1-2) is coming off back to back wins and is the current New York State heavyweight title. Ewell (15-7-1) is returning after a two year absence since her draw with Ewell.
Karine Rinaldo will defend her EBU female super bantamweight title against Nevenka Mikulic in Corse-du-Sud, France.
Rinaldo (10-1-1) won the vacant title this past June with a TKO win over Marianna Gulyas. Mikulic (4-2-1) has finished in all but one of wins.
In other boxing bouts:
In a pair of bouts in Santiago del Estero, Argentina, Vanesa del Valle Calderon takes on Valeria Almiron and Valeria Vanesa Gramajo faces Natalia Vanesa Lopez
Shelly Gibson battles Simone Hoyte in Georgetown, Guyana
In Emilia Romagna, Italy, Simona Galassi fights Evgeniya Zablotskaya
In a pair of bouts in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Jelena Mrdjenovich dukes it out with Pasa Malagic and Kandi Wyatt takes on Lita Mae Button
Sabrina Giuliani faces Farida El Hadrati in Puy-de-Dôme, France
In Differdange, Luxembourg, Caroline Thea Andre battles Gabriella Vetro
In action Friday morning, Suvi Salmimies and Isabelle Pare fight to a draw at Cage 28 in Finland.
In the second quarterfinal of TUF 20, Jessica Penne defeated Aisling Daly by decision after a third extension round. You can read MMA Rising’s report in the fight here.
Next Wednesday, the finally two quarterfinal matches as Carla Esparza faces Tecia Torres in a match a year in the making, and Rose Namjunas takes on Joanne Calderwood.
Irene Alana has an unknown illness and is out of InvictaFC 10 next weekend against Marion Reneau. A replacement has yet to be named.
Two female bouts have been announced for MMA Super Heroes last card of 2014.
Tournament winner Renata Baldan looks to recover from her first loss as she takes on unbeaten Luciana Treze in a strawweight contest, and Karina Santana de Oliveira looks to gain her second win as a pro against flyweight prospect Mariana Leonardo.
Australia’s XFC (not to be confused with XFC International) will start its flyweight tournament February 28, 2015 in Brisbane.
The opening round features Terissa Wall (1-0) taking on Kate Da Silva (7-2) and Jaz Walker (1-0 ammy) battling Hera Tamati (0-1).
We wish a speedy recovery to InvictaFC vet Jasminka Cive as she is battle a staph infection.
Rumors
Still some heavy rumors that InvictaFC 11 will be in Denver.
Scheduled Fights
Pro MMA
Thompson and Da Silva
Princesses of Pain is back as they are set for their all female MMA card this weekend in New Zealand.
In the main event, champion Kate da Silva will start her drop in weight classes, taking on Rhiannon Thompson in a 132 pound catchweight bout.
In the co-main event, Tairi Ford and Gaela Nixon duke it out in a flyweight contest.
Amateur standout Roma Pawelek will make her long awaited pro debut as she takes on the undefeated Ashleigh Heustis at Beatdown in Newtown, ND.
Also on the card, InvictaFC vet Kathina Catron battles Rachael Smith.
In other pro bouts:
In a pair of bouts at It’s Lanna Time 2 in Germany, Katharina Lehner takes on Sandra Redegeld, and Ania Fucz faces Cinja Kiefer
Karine Silva battles Sarah Silva at AFC 14 in Lages, Brazil
Ammy MMA
In amateur action:
In a pair of bouts at Spar Star in Inglewood, CA, Danielle Mack fights Farren Romero and JaShonna Owens faces Selena Lorigo
Jady Larissa takes on Paula Eletrica at Copa Striker’s House 44 in Brazil
Brækhus and Retzke
Boxing
Pound for pound queen Cecilia Braekhus will defend her four titles this weekend in Frederiksberg, Denmark.
The 26-0 WBA/WBO/WBC/IBF World welterweight champion will take on #1 contender Jennifer Retzke.
Retzke (15-1-1) has only lost once in the past 4 years. She is the current IBO welterweight champion, but will not be defending her title.
Both Brækhus (64.6 kg) and Retzke (66 kg) made weight.
Also on the card, Klara Svensson will defend her interim WBC World light welterweight title against Lucia Morelli.
In Guanajuato, Mexico, Jessica Gonzalez will defend her interim WBC World female bantamweight title for a second time against Magali Rodriguez.
Gonbzalez (5-1) won the title last year, and is coming off a split draw to Estrella Valverde this past August. Rodriguez (14-5-1) is coming off a TKO win over Marisela Landa in August and is looking for her first win.
In other boxing bouts:
In Buenos Aires, Argentina, Fernanda Soledad Alegre takes on Ana Laura Esteche
Enis Pacheco faces Paola Rojas in Montelibano, Colombia
In Samobor, Croatia, Ivana Habazin battles Galina Gumliiska
Megan Ouvrard fights Cyrielle Hebert in Charente-Maritime, France
In action Thursday, Costa Rican flyweight Reyna Cordoba submitted Anely Jimenez by 3rd round keylock. Cordoba moves to 7-0.
In boxing action Friday:
In Perth, Australia, Erin McGowan gains the vacant WIBA World lightweight title by defeating Arlene Blencowe by unanimous decision. McGowen improves to 17-2.
Kenia Enriquez defeated Ana Arrazola by unanimous decision to win the vacant WBO World flyweight title in San Diego, California. Enriquez remains undefeated and gains her first world title.
In a pair of bout in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Gabriela Marcela Zapata retains her IBF World light middleweight title by second round TKO over Paola Gabriela Casalinuovo, and Vanesa Lorena Taborda wins the vacant WBC Latino flyweight title with a split decision over Maria Magdalena Rivera
In Hamilton, Bermuda Kali Reis knocks out Teresa Perozzi in round 3 to win the vacant IBA World Middleweight title. Reis wins her first world title.
Ruth Stephanie Aquino def. Cristina Beatriz Cuevas by unanimous decision in Buenos Aires, Argentina
In Las Vegas, Nevada, Layla McCarter defeated Melissa Hernandez by unanimous decision (146)
In an amateur bout Friday, Courtney King defeated Jenna MaCallister by unanimous decision at Prize FC 7 in Denver, CO
Courtesy Fox Sports
The quarterfinals of TUF 20 started this past week, with #14 seed Randa Markos continuing her Cinderella run in the tournament. submitting Felice Herrig by scarf armbar round 1. This was the first time Herrig has been submitted in her MMA career. Markos will face the winner of the Rose Namajunas versus Joanne Calderwood match.
Next Wednesday, Jessica Penne and Aisling Daly will square off in the second quarterfinal
Doctors are estimating 50 days for Leslie Smith’s ear to heal enough to get back in the gym.
Montana’s Fight Force MMA announced a match between local fighter Ariel Beck and MMA vet Angela Hayes December 6.
Beck is coming off a loss in her pro debut to Emily Corso. The boxer is looking to show some of her improved ground game against Hayes (6-7) who also comes from a boxing background. Hayes lost to Holly Holm last year, and has been the only fighter to take Holm the distance.
No word on if this will be streamed.
This Sunday on the podcast, we will talk to InvictaFC star and veteran fighter Tonya Evinger about her current stretch of wins and preparing to fight Cindy Dandois.
Roxanne Modafferi and Vanessa Porto was suspected to be a number 1 contenders match, but Shannon Knapp told CSS Radio this wasn’t the case.
Knapp has yet to decide who will face champion Barb Honchak next, but Modafferi or the winner of the Jennifer Maia and DeAnna Bennett match seems to be the best candidates. Knapp doesn’t want to throw Andrea Lee too deep into the pool as of yet.
Scheduled Fights
InvictaFC vet Paige VanZant will make her long awaited octagon debut against PXC vet Kailin Curran at UFC Fight Night in Austin, TX. Their match will stream on UFC Fight Pass Saturday. Both Curran (115.8) and VanZant (114.8) made weight.
VanZant (3-1) is coming off a submission win over Courtney Himes last year, and her only loss was to Tecia Torres. Curran has notable wins over Emi Tomimatsu and Kaiyana Rain.
After a two year absence, Molly Helsel will return to action.
The journeywoman fighter has found a home in Tucson, AZ and will compete there for the for WFF promotion against Lori Agins. Both fighters came in at 136.5.
Helsel is looking for a comeback after several fight of the night performances against some of the toughest fighters on the planet. Agins would get some recognition with a win over Helsel.
In an amateur bout, Tracy Cortez will face Arianne Christiansen.
In other pro matches:
At Fighters Arena 10 in Poland, Katarzyna Lubonska faces Katarzyna Urban
Leah Letson makes her pro debut against Christina Jobe at King of the Cage in Carlton, MN. In amateur action, Elizabeth McKenzie takes on Katheryn Bassignana.
Ammy MMA
Dupertuis and Rainey
V3 Fights will have a trio of female fights Saturday night in Nashville, Tennessee, and you can watch for free V3Fights.com.
Molly Dupertuis will have her final MMA match as she takes on Adriene Rainey. Dupertuis was a rising star in the sport but she has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and wanted one more fight before she hangs up the gloves.
Undefeated bantamweight prospect Jamie Milanowski looks to continue her climb as she takes on 1-1 Erica Fincher.
Rounding out the female bout, Briannah Conaster and Amy Coleman look to break losing streaks in a flyweight bout.
The card starts at 5 p.m. pacific/8 p.m. est.
In other amateur bouts:
In a pair of bouts at XFO in Chicago, IL, Shaena Cox takes on Ricarda Gomes and Chi Sheibley faces Ashley Samples
Elizabeth Warner battles Jodie Struzik at UCU 3 in Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia
At Shock’n’Awe in Portsmouth, England, Jade Barker squares off with Ffion Davies
Charlotte Park fights Tracey McFarlane at Scottish Fighting Challenge in Stirling, Scotland
Pro Boxing
In pro boxing action:
In Marne, France, Anne Sophie Da Costa will defend her WBF minimumweight title against Susana Cruz Perez. Also on the card, Cindy Bonhiver takes on Elfi Philipps
WIBF and GBU featherweight champion Elina Tissen faces Jasmina Nadj in Ahlen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
In Toluca, México, WBC World light flyweight champion Ibeth Zamora Silva will battle Jessica Chavez
In a pair of bouts in Malmo, Sweden, Anna Donatella Hultin squares off against Claudia Ferenci, and Johanna Rydberg dukes it out with Ana Simeonova
In Buenos Aires, Argentina, Julieta Andrea Cardozo takes on Valeria Gramajo
Najat Hasnouni faces Borislava Goranova in Antwerpen, Belgium
Jessica Eye looked impressive in her win against a very game Leslie Smith at UFC 180 in Mexico City, Mexico, which aired live on Fox Sports 1.
Eye’s striking proved to be the factor in the fight, as Eye damaged Smith’s ear. After the first round, the doctor looked at the ear and let it go on. In round two after a heated striking exchange, the referee paused the fight and the doctor declared the damage to the ear was too much to continue, much to the dismay of Smith. Officially, Eye defeated Smith by TKO at 1:30 of round 2.
Eye improves to 11-2-1.
Courtesy WSOF
The top strawweight on the planet has defended her title and position in the rankings.
Jessica Aguilar took Kalindra Faria to a unanimous decision win at WSOF 15 in Tampa, FL which aired on NBC Sports Net.
Faria hung in the pocket with the champ, but was out classed by Aguilar’s precision striking. The final round saw Faria push for the win, but it was too little too late.
Aguilar hands Faria her first loss in 11 fights and improves to 19-4.
Courtesy Dolly Clew/Cage Warriors
Cage Warriors has crowned its first bantamweight champion.
Undefeated Pannie Kianzad (7-0) defeated last minute replacement Eeva Siiskonen by unanimous decision to win the initial 135 title in London, England. Siiskonen, who took the fight on 10 days notice, was able to get a tight armbar attempt in the opening stanza, but the striking was the key throughout the rest of the match to give Kianzad the win.
It is expected Kianzad first title defense will be against the fighter Siiskonen replaced, Agnieszka Niedzwiedz, next year.
In a preliminary bout, Anna Elmose defeated Emma Delaney by TKO 0:19 round 1.
Jandiroba vs. Lima Courtesy MMA Super Heroes
MMA Super Heroes returned to action as they crowned a strawweight tournament champion.
Virna Jandiroba submitted Camila Lima by rear naked choke in round 2 in what was the tournament final.
Marília Santos came in over weight for the tournament and and faced Aline Sattelmayer. If Sattelmayer would have won, she would have advanced. However, Santos won by unanimous decision but would not advance due to the weight discrepancy.
In a non-tourmanet match, Daiane Firmino defeated Ariane Lipski by TKO round 1.
In other pro bouts:
At PXC in Manila, Philippines, Cortney Casey submitted Gina Iniong by rear naked choke round 1
In a pair of pro bouts at Sugar Creek Showdown in Hinton, OK, Delaney Owens submitted Amber Stautzenberger by rear naked choke 4:05 round 4 to win their 115 title and Anita Rodriguez defeated Jade DeHaas by TKO (doctor’s stoppage broken nose) 5:00 round 4 to win their 135 title. In amateur action, Emily Ducote defeated Wendy Simmons by TKO 1:05 round 1
At LegacyFC in Houston, TX, Stephanie Alba submitted Maria Lopez by rear naked choke round 1
Mariana Moraes submitted Stephanie Bragayrac by head and arm choke round 1 at Explosion MMA in Curitiba, Parana, Brazil
Ammy MMA
In amateur action:
At ICF in Great Falls, MT, Hannah Kampf defeated DJ Morrision by unanimous decision. You can watch the match here.
In a pair of bouts at Steefist in Salt Lake City, Utah, Brenda Enriquez submitted Mallory Rogers by rear naked choke round 1 and Chelsya Howard defeated Alysa Westergard by TKO round 1
Jessica Fresh submitted Cynthia Bottelberghe by armbar 0:46 round 3 at A-Town Throwdown in Austin, MN
At West Coast FC in Sacramento, California, Ashley Medina defeated Melissa Wang by unanimous decision
Samantha Gilliland defeated Kathryn Yost by TKO 0:42 round two at Spartan Combat League in Loveland, Colorado
At Gladiator CF in Curitiba, Parana, Brazil, Morgana Silva and Vitoria Ferreira fought to a draw (125)
Pro Boxing
Tori Nelson gained another world welterweight title as she defeated Victoria Cisneros by unanimous decision to win the vacant UBF belt in Fairfax, Virginia. Nelson also successfully defended her WIBA welterweight title
Nelson (13-0-3) has yet to taste defeat.
In Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico, Erica Anabella Farias defeated Alejandra Marina Oliveras by split decision to gain the WBC World light welterweight title.
Farisa (21-1) is the former WBC lightweight champion and snaps Oliveras’s 12 fight win streak.
A new IBF World super bantamweight champion was crowned in Cordoba, Argentina as Yulihan Luna Avila defeated Carolina Marcela Gutierrez by unanimous decision for the vacant title.
Avila (12-2) wins her first world championship.
In other pro boxing action:
In Kotka, Finland, Eva Wahlstrom defeated Fatuma Zarika by unanimous decision
Hye Soo Park defeated Dorkmaipah Kiatpompetch by unanimous decision in Daegu, South Korea
In Buenos Aires, Argentina, Anahi Esther Sanchez defeated Betina Gabriela Garino by unanimous decision
Debora Rengifo defeated Luzmeri Zacarias by TKO in Turmero, Venezuela
In Pathum Thani, Thailand, Kanittha Kokietgym defeated Saobangrajan Kkp by unanimous decision
Amy Montenegro defeatd Diana Rael by TKO in round
2 at King of the Cage in Idaho.
In boxing:
Ava Knight defeated Guadalupe Martinez by unanimous decision to win the vacant WBC International flyweight title in Washington D.C.
Tyrieshia Douglas gains the vacant WIBA World bantamweight title with an unanimous decision win over Christina Ruiz in Baltimore, MD
In Westbury, New York, Amanda Serrano defeated Carla Torres by TKO round 1
In amateur MMA action at Gladiator Fighting Association in Topeka, KS:
Tabby Patterson def. Cara Jo Wesemann by unanimous decision to win the 145 title
Julie Murray def. Katherine Grasshopper by TKO 1:18 round 2
Savannah Self def. Alexis Cheatham by TKO 2:32 round 2
Jessika Brown def. Jennifer Dunn by KO 0:23 round 1
Holly Holm is out of her match with Raquel Pennington at UFC 181 next month.
Holm has suffered a neck injury and will be taking it “day by day” to see if it will heal on its own. No word if Pennington will get another opponent.
Also in the injury front, UFC Strawwweight Tina Lähdemäki has to undergo shoulder surgery and will be out for 9 months.
After losing to Randa Markos, Tecia Torres advanced to the quarterfinals of “The Ultimate Fighter 20” tournament by defeating Bec Rawlings by unanimous decision. Torres will face former InvictaFC champion Carla Esparza in the next round.
The episode itself drew 578,000 live viewers – one of the best ratings of the season. Wednesday’s broadcast saw the most drama and cattiness of the episodes thus far.
Next week, Randa Markos and Felice Herrig square off in the quarterfinals.
The Princesses of Pain female fighting promotion will return to action November 29 will a docket of exciting fights.
The main event will feature Kate da Silva defend her 60 kg title against Dawn Chalmers.
In other pro bouts:
Tairi Ford vs Gaela Nixon
Gentiane Lupi vs Alex Sorthis
Hera Tamati vs Catherine Drinnann
Charlene Watt vs Bridget Lords
Barbara Verlinden vs Tracey Burns
More matches to be announced soon.
A pair of bouts have been announced for OneFC December 5 in Manilla, Philippines.
Ana Jualton looks for her second win of her MMA career as she takes on Egypt’s Walaa Abas, while local favorite Jujeath Nagaowa will battle Tharoth Sam of Cambodia.
Two new fighters have signed to Invicta.
Texas’s Tessa Simpson signed this past week. The 3-1 atomweight returned to action last year with a win over Paulina Granados.
German strawweight Daniela Kortmann signed Thursday to the promotion, The first from Germany yo be signed, she went 3-1 as an amateur and won her pro debut in 2012.
World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo told us during the WSOF conference call Thursday to expect more expansion of the women’s division in 2015. Sefo stated “timing” had a lot to do with not doing it this year. (We can only assume he meant TUF 20.)
He also is looking to develop a bantamweight division.
However, XFC is not too pleased with Kalindra Faria signing to the promotion.
XFC has filed a lawsuit against WSOF in the US over the Brazilian strawweight. Faria had signed an exclusive contract with the XFC before signing to WSOF. Faria will face WSOF champion Jessica Aguilar Saturday. More on that below.
A new trailer for “Boxing Chicks” is up. The story of former boxing trainer turned coach Terri Moss and her fight team will be released in December. You can see the trailer here.
Zoila Fruasto helped aspiring fighter Jennifer Penfield live out her dream, if just for an afternoon.
Penfield spared with the former Bellator champion in a Ford commercial. You can watch it here.
In the podcast Sunday we will talk to Rachael Smith about her upcoming fight with Kathina Catron and looking for her first pro win.
Come December 22, Ashlee Evans-Smith will be able to “seek other opportunities” as her “6 month inactive clause” in her WSOF contract will kick in.
Despite her ACL and meniscus tear, Heather Clark is insisting she will still fight on the TUF 20 finale.
Schedule Matches
Pro MMA
The UFC will make it’s debut in Mexico City, Mexico with a much anticipated scrap in the bantamweight division.
Jessica Eye (10-2; 1NC) and Leslie Smith (7-5-1) look to make their way up the 135 division rankings as they will be the featured bout on the UFC prelims on Fox Sports 1 Saturday. Both tipped the scales at 134.
Eye is coming off a loss to Alexis Davis, while Smith is coming off a win over Jessamyn Duke. Both seem acclimated to the higher altitude and look to entertain the fans in Mexico.
The #1 ranked Jessica Aguilar will defend her WSOF title for the second time against the #8 ranked Kalindra Faria in Tampa, FL Saturday, which will air on NBC Sports Net. Both Aguilar (115) and Faria (114.8) came in on weight.
Aguilar has won 9 straight including her title win over Alida Gray and her title defense over Emi Fujino. With The Ultimate Fighter 20 almost ready to crown a champion, Aguilar need a solid win the stay at the top.
Faria is riding an 11 fight win streak and is looking to make an instant impact at 115. She has finished in 5 of her last 11 wins and is ranked in both the flyweight and strawweight divisions.
Courtesy Dolly Clew/ Cage Warriors
Cage Warriors will crown its first women’s bantamweight champion in London, England Saturday, in a fight that will stream on MMAJunkie.com.
Sweden’s Pannie Kianzad and Finland’s Eeva Siiskonen will duke it out for initial 135 title. Both Kianzad (134.8) and Siiskonen (134.3) came in on weight.
Kainzad (6-0) is undefeated having finished Megan van Houtum in her CWFC debut. This will be the debut of Siiskonen in the promotion, having two finishes t her credit.
Also on the undercard, Anna Elmose (134.6) will take on Emma Delaney (135.7).
MMA Super Heroes will feature another tournament heading to their card in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
In the strawweight grand prix semi-finals, Camila Lima takes on Virna Jandiroba and Aline Sattelmayer faces Marília “Chocolate” Santos. The winners will square off later that night for the tournament crown. Howver, Santos came in at 125 pounds, so may have disqualifed herself from the finals.
In a non-tounament bout, Ariane Lipski battles Daiane Firmino in a strawweight encounter.
Courtesy PXC
Cortney Casey looks for her third profession win as she takes on Gina Iniong at PXC in Manila, Philippines. This will stream on PXC’s livestream channel.
Arizona’s Casey (2-1) won her PXC debut this past June. The former Tuff-n-uff amateur champion has finished in both of her pro wins.champion.
Hometown fighter Iniong (3-1) is coming off a very close split decision over veteran Mei Yamaguchi at her last PXC bout.
In other pro MMA bouts:
At LegacyFC in Houston, TX, Stephanie Alba takes on Maria Lopez
In a pair of pro bouts at Sugar Creek Showdown in Hinton, OK, Amber Stautzenberger faces Delaney Owens and Jade DeHaas fights Anita Rodriguez. In an amateur bout Wendy Simmons battles Emily Ducote
Stephanie Bragayrac takes onm Mariana Moraes at Explosion MMA in Curitiba, Parana, Brazil
At USA MMA in Lafayette, Louisiana, Jazmine Hargrave faces Brooksie Bayard
Ammy MMA
Intense Cage Fight returns to Great Falls, MT and will feature an amateur flyweight bout between Hannah Kampf and DJ Morrision.
Wombat Sports will be there live to cover the fight, so follow us @WombatSports for results.
In other amateur action:
In a pair of bouts at Steefist MMA in Salt Lake City, Utah, Mallory Rogers takes on Brenda Enriquez and Alysa Westergard faces Chelsya Howard
At Ultimate Beatdown in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, Samantha Tan battles Goh Shee Han
Morgana Silva fights Vitoria Ferreira at Gladiator CF in Curitiba, Parana, Brazil
In Chertsey, Surrey, England at Too Much Talent, Louise Hiller takes on Samantha Taylor
At A-Town Throwdown in Austin, MN, Cynthia Bottelberghe faces Jessica Fresh
Sereina Comstock battles Megan Wallace at IFC Fight Night in Owensboro, Kentucky
In Sacramento, California at West Coast FC, Ashley Medina fights Melissa Wang
At Spartan Combat League in Loveland, Colorado, Samantha Gilliland takes on Kathryn Yost
Boxing
Tori Nelson (c) vs. Victoria Cisneros – WIBA welterweight title & vacant UBF World welterweight title
Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Alejandra Marina Oliveras (c) vs. Erica Anabella Farias – WBC World light welterweight title
In other boxing action:
In Daegu, South Korea Hye Soo Park takes on Dorkmaipah Kiatpompetch
Anahi Esther Sanchez battles Betina Gabriela Garino in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Yesica Patricia Marcos defeats Estrella Valverde at 1:48 round 1 to retain the WBA World super bantamweight title in Mendoza, Argentina
In Trnava, Slovakia, Zita Zatyko defeats Szilvia Szabados by unanimous decision to win the vacant WBF super middleweight title
Ronda Rousey versus Cat Zingano has been moved to February 28.
UFC President Dana White made the announcement this week of the change of date, which was originally set for January 3rd. The match will now co-main event the UFC 184 pay per view in Los Angeles, the hometown of champion Rousey.
The Ultimate Fight Finale will feature all but Justine Kish competing in December 12 in Las Vegas. Most of the matches won’t be announced till the week before the finale.
UFC fighter Bethe Correia sustained a minor eye injury and won’t be available to compete until February.
InvictaFC president Shannon Knapp told MMA Mayhem Radio she will do all in her power to help Cyborg Justino get her a match with Ronda Rousey.
Cyborg seems to be “on schedule” for her cut to 135 for her match December 10 at Invicta.
Tabby Patterson announced her next fight will be against Cara Jo Wesemann at Gladiator Fighting Association in Topeka, KS for their amateur bantamweight title November 13th.
Moeller
With Leah Letson turning pro, Florina Moeller will step up to take part of the Tuff-n-uff/InvictaFC featherweight tournament next weekend.
We will talk to Moeller on the Wombat Sports podcast Sunday to discuss preparing for her first semi-final match and her career as a fighter.
Amateur strawweight standout Kali Robbins will make her pro debut At Super Brawl in Milwaukee January 23rd.
USA Olympic wrestler Adeline Gray stated in a recent article she is looking to pursue a MMA career after the 2016 Olympics. She won’t start serious training until after then.
Scheduled Matches
Inoue and Kowalkiewicz Courtesy Scott Hirano/ InvictaFC
Pro MMA
InvictaFC 9 is this weekend with nine scheduled bouts Saturday night in Davenport, Iowa; streaming on UFC Fight Pass at 8 p.m. central time.
Shortly after, come back to Wombat Sports and we’ll have the post-fight presser stream.
Also Saturday night, XFCi will start its season season strawweight tournament in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The will stream on XFCMMA.com starting at 10:30 est/7:30 pst.
Strawweight tournament Quarterfinals
Marcela Yineris vs Liana Ferreira Pirosin (115)
Marina Moroz vs Karine Silva (115)
Dora Perjes vs Luana Santos Medeiros (115)
Fernanda Priscila Barros Pinheiro vs Viviane Pereira (115)
In the co-main event, Julie Werner and Iryna Shaparenko will square off in a non-tournament bout.
In a rare Monday event, DEEP-JEWELS will hold it’s sixth card in Tokyo, Japan. The main event will feature atomweight champion Seo Hee Ham defending her belt against Saori Ishioka.
In other fights on the card:
Emi Fujino vs Ayaka Miura (115)
Shizuka Sugiyama vs Yurika Nakakura (135)
Tomo Maesawa vs Yuko “Amiba” Oya (115)
Satomi “Sarami” Takano vs Mina Kurobe (105)
Yukiko Seki vs. Naomi Taniyama (105)
Brittany Ann Decker vs. Pan Hui (105)
Cage Warriors happens Saturday morning in Newcastle, England as Irene Cabello takes on Vanessa Reinsch in an atomweight bout. The fight will be part of the non-streamed prelims.
In other pro bouts:
At FWC 19 in Nerang, Queensland, Australia, Lana Kate takjes on Zoie Shreiweis
Jaymee Jones battles Krystal McGuire in Tulsa, OK at XFN 21
At XFC Australia in Mansfield, Queensland, Terissa Wall faces Helen Malone
Katelyn Dykas fights Taylor Turner at Valor Fights in Pigeon Forge, TN
At AFC 13 in Brazil Claudia Rey takes on Yelka Torres
Ana Karla Morais faces Werônica Medeiros at NFA inTrindade, Goias, Brazil
Ammy MMA
In amateur MMA:
At Clan Wars in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Leah McCourt faces Aoifé Murphy
Hannah Sears battles Hannah Elswick at King of Jacksonville – Jacksonville, North Carolina
At Cage Wars in Albany, New York, Amanda Brundige fights Brittany Ehntholt
In a pair of bouts at Gladius Fights in Ithaca, New York, Janice Meyer takes on Fernanda Araujo and Kate Riley battles Casey Garland (150)
Stephanie Hull faces Cassie Schmeekle at Shofights in Branson, MO
At Destiny Na Koa in Honolulu, Hawaii, Angela Lee takes on Audrey Perkins
Boxing
Eva Voraberger will look to defend her WIBF and WBF super flyweight title as she faces Renata Domsodi in Vienna, Austria.
Voraberger (18-3) has won back to back since her last loss, and has 9 KOs to her credit. She won the titles in June.
Domsodi (12-5) is the current WBF International and UBO international bantamweight champion and had 5 KOs to her credit.
Yuko Kuroki will defend her WBC minimumweight title for the first time as she takes on Katia Gutierrez in Fukuoka, Japan.
Kuroki (11-4-1) is unbeaten in her past three fights and won the title in June. Gutierrez is the former IBF world minimumweight champion eight of her last 9 fights.
On other boxing action:
In Buenos Aires, Argentina, Ruth Stephanie Aquino takes on Laura Martinez
Viviane Obenauf battles Zsofia Bedo in Berne, Switzerland
In Hamilton, Bermuda, Teresa Perozzi faces Kali Reis
Felice Moncelli fights Sasa Janjic in Lazio, Italy
In action Friday morning, Brogan Walker defeated YooJin Jung by unanimous decision at PXC 45 in Guam.
Jessica Eye versus Leslie Smith has been moved to the main card at UFC 180 in Mexico City, Mexico November 15\, so it will be on PPV rather than Fox Sports 1.
Brazil’s Osvaldo Paqueta announce the nominees for their Female Fighter of the Year award.
Nominees include Herica Tiburcio (InvictaFC), Jennifer Maia (InvictaFC), Kalindra Faria (XFC/WSOF), Karine Silva (XFC), and Livia Renata Souza (InvictaFC).
Voting for the Brazilian award will start in December.
Letson
Leah Letson has decided to forego the Tuff-n-uff tournament and pursue a pro career. She will take on Christina Jobe at King of the Cage in Carlton, MN November 22.
Letson (5-0) has three finishes to her credit, while Jobe (5-4) has finished in all but one of her amateur bouts.
Letson will be on the Wombat Sports podcast Sunday at 1 p.m. pst/4 p.m. est. You can listen live here.
Two other pro bouts were also announced this week.
Breea Gilbert and Carolyn Biskup will look for their first pro wins at Hoosier Fight Club in Valparaiso, Indiana November 8th.
Poland’s K-1 champ Ania Fucz will look for her second MMA win as she takes on 1-1 Cinja Kiefer at Lanna Time II in Bochum, Germany November 29.
In amateur bouts announced this week:
On November 8th, Nikki Duncan takes on Chelsi Westdorp in a flyweight bout at Vertex MMA in Cadillac, MI.
November 22 at Total Warrior Combat in Lansing, MI Alyse Anderson will defend her atomweight title against Danielle Huff.
InvictaFC is running a instragram MMA costume contest with the winner getting V-mode headphones, an autographed InvictaFC 9 poster, or an InvictaFC sweatshirt. More details here.
If you haven’t noticed – Sqor, the upstart social media platform, has been using the cast of TUF 20 to promote it. The fighters have been getting good sums of money in the deal, with Felice Herrig banking $10,000.
Finnish fighter Vuokko Katainen, who lost in the opening round of the XFC flyweight tournament by majority decision, has signed a six fight deal with the promotion.
Swedish fighter Linn Wennergren will join her at XFC. She will make debut with the promotion November 22.
The GFight Women’s MMA summit will return in 2015. More details will be forthcoming but you can check out updates and give us some input by joining the GFight facebook group.
Rumors
Jessica Aguilar told Ariel Helwani on the MMA Hour podcast that her fight with Kalindra Faria is still on. She also re-confirmed two more matches on her contrast including the Faria fight and she will be able to “test the waters” to be signed elsewhere when it’s up.
Add Livia Renata Souza to the list of possibles for InvictaFC 10 in December.
Scheduled Fights
Pro MMA
Coenen and Bucci
Former Strikeforce champion Marloes Coenen will make her Bellator MMA debut Friday night in Mulvane, KS as she takes on Italian MMA star Annalisa Bucci. Both Coenen (145.9) and Bucci (145.2) made weight for the 145 pound bout that will air on Spike TV.
Coenen (21-6) is coming off her second loss to Cyborg Justino in Invicta, and looks to help jump start the women’s featherweight division in Bellator.
Bucci (7-3) is coming off a win over InvictaFC’s Maria Hougaard Djursaa. This will be her US debut.
MMA Super Heroes will have an one night atomweight tournament Saturday in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
WMMA pioneer Satoko Shinashi will return to action after a six year absence from the sport to take on Ye Jin Jung at DEEP in Tokyo, Japan Sunday.
Shinashi (29-2-2) is a 13 year veteran of the sport, and holds the record for most armbar submission wins. She is the former DEEP atomweight champion. She took time off to start a family, but decided to return to competition.
Korea’s Jung will make her pro debut after having several amateur MMA bouts under RoadFC. The 15 year old also has some kickboxing experience.
In other pro bouts:
At PLMMA 41 in Legionowo, Poland, Barbara Nalepka takes on Izabela Badurek
At DFC Fall Brawl in Frago, ND, Summer Bradshaw battles Mariah Prussia
In a pair of bouts at Gladiator Challenge in San Diego, CA, Lissette Neri fights Jessy Miele and Bryanna Fissori faces Catalina Madril
Rachael Short takes on Zhen Wei at MIMMA in Malaysia
At Strikers House Cup in Brazil, Mariana Morais battles Geisielli Nascimento (125)
Ammy MMA
WMMA returns to South Africa as Fightstar MMA will feature an amateur MMA bout.
Iris Rodrigues will look for her second win as she takes on the debuting Shana Power. Rodrigues won her MMA debut with a unanimous ddecisionover Santa-Marie Venter.
In other amateur bouts:
In a pair of bouts at Fight to Win in Glendale, Colorado, Brittany Boone takes on Hanna Schaefer while Grace Cleveland faces Cady Kinzie
Małgorzata Smaczniak battles Agnieszka Więcek at Memoriał Pawła Kamińskiego in Gniezno, Poland
At RUF in Parker, Arizona, Valerie Quintero fights Erika Norato and Nicole Sontag takes on Terry Rucker
Amber Ortiz faces Brittany Simms at Midtown Throwdown in Eugene, OR
Boxing
Yazmin Rivas will defend her WBC World bantamweight title against Susie Ramadan in Durango, Mexico.
Rivas (30-8) won the title in June with an unanimous decision win over Alesia Graf. She has won 7 of her last eight fights.
Also on the card Alondra Garcia will duke it out with Maria Salinas
In Nagano, Japan WBA atomweight champion Ayaka Miyao will defend her title for the 6th time taking on Satomi Nishimura.
Miyao (18-5) has held the title since 2012, and hasn’t been beaten since 2010. Nishimura (7-1) is looking for her first world title.
In other pro boxing bouts:
NABF flyweight champion Chantel Cordova will defend her title against Gloria Salas in Pueblo, Colorado
In London, United Kingdom, Marianne Marston and Marianna Gulyas will duke it out for the vacant Malta (MBC) International super bantamweight title
Ana Lozano faces Liliana Palmera in Barranquilla, Colombia
In Cataluña, Spain, Daniele Limone takes on Abigail Medina
Adela Celeste del Carmen Peralta battles Cristina Beatriz Cuevas in Santa Fe, Argentina
Colleen Schneider returned to bantamweight over the weekend in a dominant performance over Brenda Gonzales at Super Fight League USA in Tacoma, WA. She would win all five rounds in the title match by out grappling Gonzales in all of the rounds. You can watch the match here.
On the undercard, Cheryl Chan got her first profession win with a third round rear naked choke over Hadley Griffith. You can watch the match here.
In other pro bouts:
At BRFC in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Tabatha Ricci defeated Graziele Ricotta by unanimous decision
Kanna Asakura defeated Naomi “Nachi” Okaki by unanimous decision at Vale Tudo Japan in Tokyo, Japan
At Metanoia Fight Combat in Brazil, Marta Souza defeated Natally Alves by TKO 0:40 round 1
At Steelfist 28: Intensity in Salt Lake City, UT, Killastina Matatohi defeated Heather Martin by TKO 1:51 round 1
Ammy MMA
In amateur MMA results:
In NAAFS in Canton, OH, Meghan Joyce defeated Jessica Dinch by unanimous decision
Nicole Upshaw defeated Amanda Nold by TKO 2:02 round 1 at Cage Wars in Grand Junction, Colorado
Boxing
In boxing results:
In Buenos Aires, Argentina, Karen Elizabeth Carabajal defeated Maria Soledad Capriolo by unanimous decision
Noemi Bosques defeated Ivana Coleman by unanimous decision in Tampa, Florida
In Brandenburg, Germany, Alicia Melina Kummer defeated Zuzana Schmiedova by TKO round 1
In a trio of bouts Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico, Karina Fernandez and Yoatzin Alejandra Meraz De’Luna fight to a technical draw; Diana Fernandez defeated Susana Uribe by unanimous decision, and Angelica Rascon defeated Karla Ivette Valenzuela Garcia by unanimous decision
Nataly Delgado and Maria Milano fight to a majority draw in Diciembre, Panama
In Basel, Switzerland, Pasa Malagic defeated Borislava Goranova by unanimous decision
Ericka Rousseau defeated Wendy Gervois by unanimous decision in Royan, Charente-Maritime, France
In Pojoaque, New Mexico, Monica Lovato defeated Kristen Montano by TKO round 1
At King of the Cage in Highland, CA, Danielle Taylor defeated Maria Andaverde by unanimous decision, Taylor goes 4-0 as a pro.
Naomi Staller defeated Cinja Kiefer by TKO in round 1 at German Cagefight Championship
At Circuito de Lutas Fight Night 4 in Brazil, Ketlen Vieira defeated Juliana Leite via TKO at 1:36 round 2
Cage Warriors has announced two more female bouts on their upcoming cards.
At Cage Warriors 73 in Newcastle, England on November 1, Spain’s Irene Cabello (1-2) will take on Germany’s Vanessa Reinsch (1-1) in an atomweight match. This will be Reinsch’s promotional debut.
Two weeks later, Denmark’s Anna Elmose will battle Emma Delaney in an bantamweight contest at Cage Warriors 74 in November 15 in London, England. This will be Elmore pro debut and her first cut to 135.
XFCi will start their strawweight tournament November 1 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Participants to be announced in the coming weeks.
Rumors
Expect an announcement on WSOF champion Jessica Aguilar’s next opponent next week. It will be her toughest test she has had in a long while.
Angela Hill has been stating she will be on the TUF 20 finale card in December.
Scheduled Fights
Pro MMA
India’s Super Fight League will make it’s US debut with two female bouts in Tacoma, WA Saturday.
Colleen Schneider will make the first defense of her SFL flyweight title against Brenda Gonzales. Schneider (5-5) won four straight before losing to DeAnna Bennett at Showdown Fights in June. Gonzales (5-1) has finished in all but one of her wins and her only loss was to UFC fighter Rina Nakai.
Also on the card, Cheryl Chan and Hadley Griffith look to get their records back on track.
WSOF vet Alida Gray (4-1) is the newest edition to the strawweight division. Having scored a 5 second award winning knockout last year, Gray suffered her first loss as a pro to champion WSOF Jessica Aguilar.
Bantamweight Evva Johnson (1-0) is also looking to make some waves. Going 8-1 as an amateur with 6 submission, she is coming off a second round win over Priscilla Brownfield.
Ediane Gomes also announced she has renewed her contract with Invicta this week.
DEEP-JEWELS announced four more fights for their November 2 card.
Besides the atomweight title bout between atomweight Seo Hee Ham and Saori Ishioka, former WSOF title challenger Emi Fujino (13-8) will face Ayaka Miura (1-0). Bantamweight Shizuka Sugiyama (11-4-1) looks to get back on the winning track taking on Yurika Nakakura (3-1).
Also Tomo Maesawa (3-4) faces Yuko “Amiba” Oya (8-3) and Satomi “Sarami” Takano (3-4) takes on Mina Kurobe (3-0).
InvictaFC flyweight contender Jennifer Maia will be back in action November 15 as she takes on Paraguay’s Stephanie Bragayrack in Curitiba, Brazil. DaMadeFerroMMA reported the match Friday.
Maia (9-3-1) has won back to back outside of Invicta this past year. He last loss was to the UFC’s Leslie Smith. She has wins over Zoila Frausto and Jessica Andrade.
Bragayrack (3-1) could make a quick name for herself over the top ten ranked Maia. She has two TKO wins to her credit.
Colleen Schneider has a new opponent for fighter October 4th in Tacoma, WA.
Brenda Gonzalez (5-1) will challenge Schneider for her Super Fight League flyweight title as the Indian promotion will make its US debut.
Gonzales finished in all but one of her wins, with her lone loss coming from UFC fighter Rina Nakai. The New Mexico native trains with InvictaFC signee Amber Brown and UFC fighter Tim Means.
Schneider won the SFL title last year in Mumbai, India with a keylock submission over Sanja Sucevic. She won four straight before losing to InvictaFC fighter DeAnne Bennett. She is training under UFC fighters Josh Barnett and Shayna Baszler.
Also added to the card, Cheryl Chan will take on Hadley Griffith.
The event will stream live and free on the SFL Youtube page October 4th.
The IMMAF will be compiling a list of amateur fights and fighters for global database in the coming months.
The group plans on contacting promoters and industry professionals to get updated stats in order help their cause of making amateur MMA a world wide option for the sport.
We will have more details on how to help in the upcoming weeks.
Tina Lähdemäki was to face Juliana de Lima Carneiro in November but has sustained an eye injury and will be out until early 2015.
We did another article for MMA Jam, this time tackling promotions commitment (or lack of) in their women’s divisions. You can read it here.
Lee
On the podcast Sunday at 1 pm. pst/4 p.m. est, we will talk to Andrea Lee about her InvictaFC signing, the freak incident in her pro debut last weekend, and staying busy.
Gina Carano versus Ronda Rousey isn’t happening anytime soon.
Carano is currently booked for two movies at the end of this his year and the January 3 bout won’t be possible. UFC President Dana White stated he couldn’t believe how much she wanted to face Rousey, but it only makes sense because it’s very unlikely Carano would win.
Scheduled Fights
Pro MMA
In a fight that could determine Ronda Rousey’s next opponet will happen in Vegas Saturday as Cat Zingano will return from a year and a half absence to face Amanda Nunes. Both Zingano and Nunes came in at 135.
Zingano (8-0) defeated Miesha Tate in a title eliminator last year, but a knee injury sidelined her. She has yet to taste defeat and has only went to decision once in her pro career.
Nunes (9-3) is looking for her third UFC win, having had back to back TKOs. She has finished in all her wins with a 14 second knockout.
The fight will be a part of the main card and will air on pay per view.
XFCi is back Saturday with the opening round of their flyweight tournament and the finals of their strawweight tounament.
In the battle of the Vanessa’s, Guimaraes (3-2) will face Melo (3-2) in the finals of the strawweight grand prix that started this past spring.
The flyweight grand proix opening round will feature Brazil taking on the world.
American Rachael Cummins (2-1) will battle Brazil’s Taila Santos (3-0)
Mexico’s Karina Rodrigues (3-1) takes on Brazilian Poliana Botelho (2-1)
Russian Julia Borisova (3-0) faces Brazilian Debora Ferreira (3-0)
The fight will stream live and free on XFCMMA.com.
In other pro bouts:
At Triple A MMA in Santa Fe, NM, Natalie Roy takes on Nohime Dennison
Roberta Paim faces Tais Machado at Duel of the Titans in Brazil
At Eternal MMA 7 in Australia Tam Taylor battles Zoie Shreiweis
Aline Cruz fights Naiara “Guerreira” Pereira at Federal Fight in Brazil
At We Love MMA in Germany, Anne Merkt takes on Katharina Lehner
Ammy MMA
In amateur bouts:
At British Challenge MMA in Colchester, England, Monica Nix faces Wendy McKenna
Veronica Muller takes in Caroline Cornell at Glory Fights in Woodbridge, Virginia
In a pair of bouts at Aggressive Combat in Jamaica, NY, Destiny Quinones battles Jillian DeCoursey and Katalina Morales fights Sarah Thomas
Jasmine Crawford takes on Samantha Harris at Cage Combat in Humble, Texas
In a pair of bouts at King of the Cage in Carlton, Minnesota Sarah Jacobson faces Hope Sanftner and Missy Pontbriand battles Elizabeth McKenzie
At Fists of Fury in Lawton, Oklahoma, Wendy Simmons fights Stephanie Hull (115)
Boxing
Tori Nelson looks to defend her WIBA welterweight title for a fouth time as she takes on the former WBF welterweight champion Arlene Blencowe in Springfield, Virginia.
Nelson (10-0-3) was the WIBA and WBC middleweight champion before winning the title last September.
Australian’s Blenclowe (2-2) will be fight for the first time in the US and will look to turn some heads. She also fights in MMA.
Also on the card, Tyrieshia Douglas faces Whitney Gunter.
In Moscow, Russia, Svetlana Kulakova will face Ana Laura Esteche to unify the WBA World light welterweight titles in a rematch. The two battled on June to a split draw.
Kulakova (9-0-1) is unbeaten and won the interim title this past November.
Esteche (10-3-2) won the WBA championship in January, her first world title.
A tri of bouts will happen in Whitehall, New York, featuring a fight for the interim WIBA lightweight title.
Melissa St Vil and Nicole Woods will battle for the championship. St Vil is the current vacant IWBF welterweight champion and will be looking for her first world title.
In the other two bouts are the card, Ronica Jeffrey takes on Stacey Reile and Sarah Kuhn battles Olivia Fonseca
In other pro boxing action:
In Buenos Aires, Argentina Sabrina Maribel Perez defends her WBC Silver super bantamweight title against Florencia Roxana Canteros
Carleans Rivas faces Lady Love Sampiton for the initial Philippines GAB flyweight title in Manila, Philippines
In a trio of bouts in Quintana Roo, Mexico, Zulina Munoz battles Karina Hernandez, Yesenia Gomez fights Anely Hernandez, and Yareli Larios dukes it out with Gloria Romero (126)
Delfine Persoon faces Judy Waguthii in West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
In Skopje, Macedonia, Maria Semertzoglou takes on Galina Gumliiska
Naroyuki Koasicha battles Araceli Gualito in San Luis Potosí, Mexico
In Buenos Aires, Argentina, Laura Soledad Griffa fights Norma Elizabeth Diaz Caucota
Alicia Melina Kummer dukes it out with Roxana Tenea in Berlin, Germany
In Frankfurt, Hessen, Germany, Bintou Schmill faces. Mirjana Vujic
Correia defeated Shayna Baszler Saturday by TKO in round 2, taking out her second Horsewoman and gaining the ire of UFC champion Ronda Rousey.
Baszler controlled a lot of the first round with submission attempts from the ground. Round two saw Correia amp her striking, with a knee starting what was a barrage of punches against the fence and Baszler didn’t move or answer. Referee John McCarthy stopped the bout at 1:56 of round 2.
Having won three straight in the UFC and still undefeated, Correia has her sites on a title match with Rousey, who stated she wanted the match “before anyone defeats her”. UFC President Dana White confirms Cat Zingano will get the next shot if she defeats Amanda Nunes.
DEEP-JEWELS champion Seo Hee Ham wins her 5th staight, defeating Ukrainian Alyona Rassohyna by unaimous decsion in Ham’s home country of South Korea at RoadFC.
Korea’s Ji Yeon Kim gets her first official win by submitting Kamikaze Yukimi by rear naked choke in round 1. Kim started her career with draws with Takayo Hashi and Shizuka Sugiyama.
Osmon vs. Julaton Courtesy OneFC
In a closely contested battle, Malyasia’s Ann Osman defeated Ana Julaton by split decision at One FC in Dubai, UAE.
Julaton looked good on the feet, but it was Osmoan’s takedowns and grappling gave her the edge in the end, but Jualton’s ground defense has improved since she first started.
Osmon improves to 1-1, with both fights being split decisions.
In other pro bouts:
At Fight Time Promotions in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Jenny Silverio defeated Sarah Lagerstrom by unanimous decision
Valeria Mejia submitted Mishell Bastidas by armbar round 1 at Trujillo FC 1 in Trujillo, Peru
At XFC 5: Desafio in Santa Tecla, El Salvador, Yolanda Arias defeated Zulena Alvarez by unanimous decision
Arlene Blencowe defeated Faith Van Duin by TKO 3:00 round 3 at Storm Damage MMA in Australia
Also in Australia, at Carnage in the Cage, Kaela Banney defeated Lisa Yu by unaimous decision. In an amateur bout, Janay Harding defeated Jodie Struzik by split decision.
Montserrat Conejo Ruiz defeated Anely Jimenez by unanimous decision at Xtreme Kombat in Mexico City, Mexico
At Aspera FC 11 in Brazil, Janaisa Morandin defeated Cynthia Candido by TKO round 2
Jingnan Xiong submitted Inna Hutsal by armbar round 1 at Kunlung Fights in China
At Grachan: Next 1 in Tokyo, Japan, Yurika Nakakura defeated Miki Miyauchi by TKO at 3:33 round 1
Ammy MMA
In an amateur bout in Texcoco De Mora, Mexico, Mariana Avila Peña Vera defeated Pamela Gonzalez by unanimous decision at MMA Maddness
Boxing
Mayerlin Rivas gains the interim WBA bantamweight title in Caracas, Venezuela with a TKO over Arely Valente in round 9. Rivas gets her first world title and improves to 10-3-1.
Also on the card, Deborah Rengifo defeated Luisiana Bolivar by unanimous decision
Linda Laura Lecca successfully defended her interim WBA super flyweight title for the first time, getting an unanimous decision over Guadalupe Martinez in Huarochirí, Peru. Lecca improves to 11-2-1, and has won three straight.
In Santa Fe, Argentina, Victoria Noelia Bustos successfully defend her IBF lightweight title in a rematch with Natalia Vanesa del Valle Aguirre. Aguirre defeated Bustos in their first 2 meetings, their last in a non-title fight. Bustos improves to 12-3.
In other boxing action:
In a pair of bouts in Perth, Australia, Lauryn Eagle defeated Pantiwa Kaewmahosod by unanimous decision and Louisa Hawton defeated Payayong Sueksasongkro by unanimous decision
Marianna Gulyas defeated Veronika Hornyak by points in Budapest, Hungary
In Csömör, Hungary, Melinda Zsiga defeated Klaudia Vigh by points
There is never a singular reason to pursue boxing and not one mindset to train in it.
Wombat Sports 