Bellator has a busy weekend and we have Denise Kielholtz on the show talking about her MMA transition from kickboxing and the women’s divisions in central Europe.
Also results from this past weekend, what is going on this weekend, DEEP-Jewels adds a division, InvictaFC gets two new fighters, and more. Continue reading WMMath Podcast: Bellator Star Denise Kielholtz Plus Phoenix Series Changes, Minimumweight Tournament, and More News
(Photo courtesy InvictaFC)
We recap a busy weekend with InvictaFC 39 and the UFC in Houston. We preview with upcoming Phoenix series, and several international fights. Then Tuff-n-uff vet Alannah Arnett talks about her rising career and training in the midwest. Continue reading WMMath Podcast:Amateur Standout Alannah Arnett plus InvictaFC 39 Recap
Photo courtesy Cris Cyborg’s Facebook
Saturday night Cris “Cyborg” Justino made history.
It took four rounds for the featherweight legend to defeat former champion Julia Budd and gain her fourth world title in her fourth organization at Bellator 238 in Los Angeles. It was her 18th finish of her career.
We were there to cover all the action from the card and get post fight reaction.
Cyborg was somewhat humbled by her title win, stating she will be giving her title belt to a child named Ryan in South Africa battling cancer. She stated she learned to be patient and more controlled over the years and looks forward to her next challenge whomever it may be.
We asked Scott Coker about the possibility of former title challenger Arlene Blencowe being in line for a title shot.
“(Blencowe) is number one on my list,” Coker proclaimed to us. “She has been blowing up our matchmaker wanting the fight.”
You can see the Cyborg’s post fight scrum below.
Budd was disappointed in her loss, stated she waived from her game plan. She also wants to get back in the cage soon to get back in the hunt.
You can see Budd’s post fight scrum below.
In what was the opening match of the main card, Emilee King upset boxing champion Ava Knight by rear naked choke in round 1. The Tenneesee native strawweight is now 4-3 as a pro.
We asked Coker if Bellator was planning an opening a strawweight division, with the company already having King, Knight, and Keri Melendez fighting at that weight. He told us they are only concentrating on the two women’s divisions they already have and not expecting to open it anytime soon.
You can see King’s scrum below.
We did get some news about the flyweight division in Coker as well.
Although a featherweight grand prix is not in the mix this year, he did express that a women’s flyweight grand prix was a real possability. If it is going to happen, it would start in September.
Coker also told us Liz Carmouche is expected to make her Bellator debut before April.
Coming up this Saturday is Julia Budd’s biggest fight of her career.
The Bellator champion will face one of the most dominate females in MMA history in Cris “Cyborg” Justino at Bellator 238 at the Forum in Los Angeles, which will stream live on DAZN.
“It’s great that people are finally really tuning in and really paying attention,” Budd told the media this week. “I’ve got an opportunity like this card to showcase it on and be the headliner. It’s just amazing. It’s great. I’m just grateful for where I’ve been and the road to get here.”
“(Cyborg) wasn’t just on my radar since she came to Bellator. She’s been on my radar my entire career.”
It has been almost 15 years ago since Cris “Cyborg” Justino first stepped into a MMA cage. The impressive run has been unmatched in a female division of combat sports; having gained Cyborg 3 world championships and twenty consecutive wins.
Cyborg is now looking to claim history again: winning her 4th world title against Bellator champion Julia Budd January 25th at the Forum in Los Angeles. Continue reading Video: Cyborg Media Day Ahead of Bellator 238
We end the year with a lot of events and news.
With her title match approaching, we talked to Kate Jackson about her fight in Hawaii at Bellator, the growth of British women in MMA, weight cutting, and her preps.
Also some InvictaFC updates going into 2020.
Plus we go over cards heading the New Years.
(Photo courtesy IMMAF)
History will be made this weekend as this will be the first time a mother and daughter will fight MMA on the same card.
Cindy Dandois and her daughter Lola will be taking part of the Conquest of the Cage event near Spokane, Washington Saturday. Mom will be competing in pro MMA against Bethany Christensen; while her daughter will be making her amateur MMA debut against the Juliana Pena trained Darina Glassburn.
What has surpassed this headline is the ages of Lola and Darina: 12 years old. Continue reading Kids in MMA: How the Youth in the Sport is Becoming More Commonplace
Busy few weeks in the women’s divisions.
We get an interview with Leslie Smith who is facing Arlene Blenclowe at Bellator next week. We talk about the new additions to the Bellator featherweight division, her training partners, and her continued learning about her fight for labor equality.
Invicta weigh-ins shake up the card, plus I answer questions about the featherweight division and Invicta’s Phoenix Series tournaments.
Before Cain. Before Ronda. Before Shayna. Before Brock. There was Sumie Sakai.
It was not unheard of early on in the history of the women’s divisions that wrestling and MMA would crossover.
It was friend and fellow training partner Megumi Yabushita who turned her on pro wrestling. Initially, Sakai had no interest but soon fell in love with the sport. Continue reading Sumie Sakai: Transcending the Combat Arts
Invicta is ready to wrap up its year next week and we went to Syndicate MMA to catch up with Serena DeJesus as she prepares for her promotional debut. We talked about finally being signed, getting ready for a bigger stage, and the support she is giving to the Autism community.
We also dig into some news with the UFC, Bellator, ONE, and DEEP-JEWELS.
After an eventful weekend in Vegas, the PFL finals are set and Tuff-n-uff showcased some new stars. We will go over what happen when we were live for the events and who will be a part of the 2020 PFL tournament.
An all female amateur card is set for Sunday in San Diego and we get an opportunity to talk to Jackson Winkeljohn product Natalya Speece about her background and her sacrifices to pursue her career.
Plus a quick UFC and ONE recap.
In what will be a busy week between PFL, Tuff-n-uff, UFC, One Championship, Rizin, and Combates; we give you the fights to watch. We will be live at the PFL playoffs and Tuff-n-uff and our guest Chelsea Rae helps us break them down as she prepares for her own fight at Tuff-n-uff Saturday. She will also be coaching some of the Wimp 2 Warrior participants in their first MMA bouts.
Invicta was this past weekend and we go through the results and give you the line-up for the next card.
Plus a lot of news.
