The Triangle Choke - Carano vs. Cyborg In it's first event since the signing of MMA superstar Fedor Emelianenko, Strikeforce put a lot of cards on the table with three title fights and a main event featuring Gina Carano vs. Cris Cyborg. Initially the event was the true test to see if Strikeforce could compete with the MMA ís super giant, the UFC. However, the signing of the greatest fighter on the planet took some of the pressure off this event.
The event featured a women's main event which would have been unheard of only a short time ago. Gina Carano, with her stunning looks and versatile talents, caught the MMA world by storm. But like Ali needed Frazier, Magic needed Bird, Gina needed someone to step up to create a big pay day. She found that quickly in the menacing Cris Cyborg Santos. The much ballyhooed match-up has been longed for by MMA fans but was delayed as Elite XC, which held Carano's contract, folded. Finally, Strikeforce gobbled up Gina and scheduled the fight as a main event.
Gina, the media and MMA fan's darling, never faced the likes of Cris Santos. Carano prepared for the event by training with UFC legend Randy Couture. Santos, confirmed by her coaches to me, walks around at a firm 170lbs. They describe training with other women as being careful not to hurt them but when training with Santos they worry about themselves.
Despite astonishing losses to the original card which included; Heavyweight Champion Alistair Overeem, Welterweights Joe Riggs and Nick Diaz and Lightweight Champion Josh Thompson Strikeforce still managed to put three solid title fights on the main card.
How it broke down:
Main Card:
Former UFC veteran Fabricio Werdum dominated Mike Kyle winning via a guillotine choke 1:24 into the 1st round. When Werdum is in shape and focused he is very difficult to deal with.
For the Lightweight interim title, crowd favorite and California resident Gilbert Melendez avenged an earlier loss to Mitsuhiro Ishida via TKO due to strikes 3:56 into the 3rd round. Melendez is one of the best lightweights in the world and looks to get a shot at the man who took his title, Josh Thompson.
In the Light Heavyweight division, Babalu Sobral defended his title against Gegard Mousasi. Mousasi quickly made waste to the grizzled veteran defeating Babalu 1:00 into the 1st round via strikes. Mousasi is now the Strikeforce Champion and no doubt has a very bright future.
In the main event, Cris Santos broke the hearts of the 13,000 plus fans in attendance in impressive fashion defeating Gina Carano with 1 second left in the 1st round. The fight was very fast paced with both fighters landing solid shots. Santos proved to be too strong. Many will criticize the referee stoppage with one second left in the 1st round, however the fact is there was no way Gina was going to be able to handle the power of Santos. Cyborg will be the womenís champion for a long time. Her most likely opponent will be another beauty in the form of Erin Toughill.
I was able to spend some time at The American Kickboxing Academy which is one of the best MMA gyms in the county. I was fortunate enough to meet Cain Velasquez and watch him train. He is a determined fighter with a tough challenge in the form of Shane Carwin. Brett "Grim" Rogers was also at AKA training.
For videos of Cain training and photos from the Carano vs. Cyborg weigh-ins please visit www.profighting.fans.com
- Scott Dryden is the Editor-in-Chief of www.profighting-fans.com and a Sports Columnist for The People's Defender.
