It’s rare that an MMA fighter’s face makes it into any sports publication, but as the spearhead of a new movement within the fight world, Ronda Rousey is all over the place. It’s odd to talk about Women’s MMA, or WMMA as “new” considering how long it’s been around, but main stream acceptance has been hard to come by for these ladies, and continues to be a struggle leading up to what should be its first major title bout.
Women fighters have a tendency to fly under the radar when it comes to MMA. The progression level of women’s fighting is steadily improving with companies like Invitca FC and Strikeforce, allowing women to headline their cards. This can only mean one thing. That it is here to stay and it can only get bigger and better.
The inevitable super fight is every fans dream, but it always has some road blocks or obstacles along the way. You would think pitting two men or two women against each other would be as easy as picking names out of a hat and sticking them together in a cage to let them duel it out, wrong! There are so many factors to setting up these fights that sometimes, it doesn’t even happen at all.
With the talk of what could possibly happen to the women’s division in Strikeforce due to what looks like Strikeforce’s eventual closing, its left everyone wondering if it would mean the end of WMMA in North America with the exception of the occasional fight from Bellator. Enter Invicta FC, where former Strikeforce matchmaker Shannon Knapp decided that an all-female promotion could be exactly what is needed to keep WMMA alive and well.
This Saturday, Invicta Fighting Championships will hold its debut show in Kansas City, KS. The card features accomplished women, such as, former 135-pound Strikeforce champion, Marloes Coenen, as well as, former title challenger Liz Carmouche.
WMMA pioneer Gina Carano was the first real face of the female side of mixed martial arts. Gina stormed the MMA world with her wicked good looks, charisma, and not to be overlooked her amazing fighting skill. Gina has been in the news a lot here the last couple of weeks, but not because of her in exploits inside the cage.
It’s been debated at great lengths that the popularity or dare I say the lack of overall popularity of women’s MMA is due to the fact that they haven’t yet had that defining fight that captures the world’s imagination. WMMA has its stars and faces to better market and promote the sport and they have done a magnificent job and they wouldn’t be where it’s at now without standout performers and personalities like Gina Carano and Cristiane ‘Cyborg’ Santos.
Yes, Santa Clause is coming to town tonight and don’t let those bah humbug types tell ya differently. We caught up with the jolly one just days before the busy day to talk shop and of course who’s been naughty and nice. Try as we did, MMA Valor landed on the side of nice and before we let Santa return to the North Pole we had a few things to add to his list.
UFC on FOX 7: Henderson vs. Melendez Weigh-in Pictures
Due to a previously scheduled Arena Football game at the HP Pavilion, today’s UFC on FOX 7 weigh-ins were held less than a mile away at the California Theater. The small theater was completely filled with cheering fans and all the fighters they came to see made weight.
The Ultimate Fighter 16 Finale Weigh-in Pictures
Amidst everything else going on, the UFC has themselves a busy day today with the UFC on FX 6 taking place in Australia and The Ultimate Fighter 16 finale weigh-ins. All 24 fighters made weight today for tomorrow’s event that will crown The Ultimate Fighter 16 welterweight winner.
UFC on FUEL TV 4 Weigh-in Results and Photos
SAN JOSE, Cal. – Still recovering from Saturday’s UFC 148, MMAValor.com was inside the HP Pavilion for today’s UFC on FUEL TV 4 weigh-ins. A few of the fighters would need to step onto the scale behind a towel but all 22 fighters on the UFC on FUEL TV 4 fight card made weight.
TUF Live Finale Live Results and Event Pictures
The long grind of the first live version of The Ultimate Fighter ends tonight at the TUF Live Finale in Las Vegas. Featuring 12 of the 16 TUF Live contestants, the 10 bout card will be headlined by an important match-up in the welterweight division between Jake Ellenberger and Martin Kampmann.
TUF Live Finale Weigh-in Results and Pictures
All the fighters for tomorrow’s TUF Live Finale were on weight as they stepped onto the scales inside the Pearl at the Palms. The 20 fighters, including 12 of the 16 TUF Live fighters will begin entering the Octagon tomorrow starting at 2:45pm PT / 5:45pm ET.
