Carano, 'Cyborg' meet in biggest women's fight
August 14th, 2009, 8:39 pm · 11 Comments · posted by CARLOS ARIAS
Gina Carano's looks and fighting style have combined to make her the face of women's MMA.
Her fights have always stolen the show when she has been featured on Showtime and CBS, turning her into one of the most recognizeable stars in the sport.
Brazilian sensation Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos has put together a series of ferocious knockouts since her arrival in the U.S.
It all has set the stage for the most highly-anticipated women's bout in MMA history.
Carano (7-0) and Santos (7-1) will battle for the Strikeforce women's 145-pound championship in the main event of "Strikeforce: Carno vs. Cyborg" on Saturday at 10:30 p.m. on Showtime at the HP Pavilion in San Jose. It's the first time two women will be featured in the main event of a Showtime card.
"I went from being called a little pet project to me and Cyborg in the main event," Carano said. "That in itself has just been the biggest achievement."
The fight pits Carano's technical skills against Santos raw aggression.
"I think we both have strength and technique in different areas," Carano said. "How that plays out? We'll see."
The rest of the card has gone through many transformations because of injuries and other problems.
Renato "Babalu" Sobral (35-8) of Costa Mesa and Gegard Mousasi (28-2-1) of Leiden, Netherlands, were originally scheduled to fight for Affliction, but when Affliction folded the bout was moved to Strikeforce and it will now be for Sobral's Strikeforce 205-pound title.
Gilbert Melendez (15-2) of Santa Ana was supposed to be fighting Josh Thomson in a rematch, but Thomson was forced to pull out because of a broken leg. Melendez will now get a rematch against Mitsuhiro Ishida (18-5-1) of Japan for the interim Strikeforce lightweight title. Ishida scored a unanimous decision over Melendez in 2007.
In the other televised bout, heavyweight Fabricio Werdum (11-4-1) of Brazil takes on Mike Kyle (12-6-1) of San Jose.
Follow the Keep Punching blog on Facebook and on Twitter at twitter.com/punchymcgee
Reader Comments
Comments are encouraged, but you must follow our User Agreement.- Keep it civil and stay on topic.
- No profanity, vulgarity, racial slurs or personal attacks.
- People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked.
woman fights are the best
I'm with you Joey. They seem to always steal the show. Now the ladies get their shot in the spotlight.
it's gonna be one hell of a fight may the best woman win
I hope the fight takes a few rounds to show everyone their skills. A lucky punch is not what I want to see.
Been a Carano fan for a while now.... if I were a betting person, it would be on her. Can't wait... will be a great fight either way.
Really love Carano but really dont think she wins this. Hope she dont mess up her face much.
Wow! Fellas it's going to be a war! Gina might lose her first fight tonight unfortunately
I think that Carano is the Tiger Woods in MMA "good lock" pretty girl.
Carano is super hot...but she will get smashed tonight. She basically is fighting a man tonight. I'd bet money Santos wasn't born female..or at least fully female.
We don't get showtime - anyone know bars or restaurants in the OC that will be showing it?
Paul: I haven't been able to track down any bars in the OC that carry Showtime. It is available online at sho.com for $24.95 on PPV.