The Aug. 15 fight between Cyborg and Gina Carano is getting a lot of attention, including Sherdog’s Loretta Hunt believing it will get more attention than UFC 100 in the end. First, what are your thoughts on the attention the fight is getting and what kind of impact do you see it having?
I do think this fight will get, and deserves to get, a lot of attention. Gina Carano and Cyborg have both been in the public eye, and MMA fans know who they are. Anyone who watches American Gladiators knows who Gina is.
EliteXC, CBS, Strikeforce and Showtime are to thank for putting so much emphasis on the females, and look where it has put this female fight: the main event! I really think the fact that Gina has been such a huge draw in the past, whether it is for her looks or her fighting ability, is one reason that Strikeforce is able to have them headline the card.
This is a great thing for Women's MMA, because when this card draws huge numbers, it will put to rest the comments that females shouldn’t and couldn’t put on a good fight AND make money for the promoters. People are excited for this fight, as they should be for all female bouts.
I’m not saying that the only reason people are going to watch this card is the Carano-Cyborg fight—there are some great fights on the card—but it is definitely going to be one of the big reasons.
For me, both ladies NEED to make weight, in order for Women's MMA to be considered professional and legitimate. There needs to be no drama, and both women need to fight hard. It’s going to be a lot of pressure for both, but they have been put in the forefront, and need to put on a good show. I think they can and will live up to it.
Is there any part of you that is frustrated by how these two fighters in particular have been put into the public eye as emblematic of Women’s MMA?
I think that Strikeforce has really changed women’s fighting for the better. I feel like they took what EliteXC started, and have really tried to make it about more than just 2 fighters.
It was very frustrating for me to see so many female fighters (Julie Kedzie, Kaitlin Young, Kelly Kobald) go under the radar. For a while it was definitely the Gina Carano show, but I really think that has started to change and Gina has been a big part of that.
Their fight is for the Strikeforce 145 lbs. Women’s title. Where do you see yourself in the title picture and has Strikeforce given you any indication of what is next for you?
I would love to fight for a 135 lbs title for Strikeforce. I’m not sure who or when or if this will happen, but I’m ready for it. I really like fighting actively, so I would love to be able to fight as soon as possible. I know that Strikeforce has a fight card late September, so hopefully I’ll be able to get on that card, but as of yet, I’m not entirely sure.
MMA Junkie’s Dr. Benjamin recently stated his feelings on Women’s MMA and his lack of interest in seeing women fight 3x5 or 5x5. He also made some statements about women being more susceptible to injuries. How tired are you of hearing people say women couldn’t or shouldn’t do certain things?
Dr Benjamin obviously doesn’t know what he is talking about regarding women’s fighting. It sounds more to me like he just doesn’t like women fighting, which is his personal choice, and is trying to find any reason to put us down.
I really am sick of hearing people comment about women’s fighting in a negative light; if they don’t like it, just don’t watch it. I don’t know how most of the comments are even valid anymore, as time and again, female fights are the highlights of the fight cards.
Your fight with Shayna Baszler—congratulations again by the way—was three, five-minute rounds and you went the full fifteen. Did you find a big difference in going the extra time?
I felt great fighting for 5 minute rounds. Other than my first fight (which used the under 3 fights must fight 3 minute rounds) and in California, all of my fights have been 5 minute rounds.
I love the 5 minutes because no one has a significant advantage in terms of not being able to implement her game plan. I couldn’t be happier that Strikeforce finally decided to switch over.
Enough of the “State of Women’s MMA” talk, onto some easier stuff:
Favourite fighter?
Denis Kang, BJ Penn
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