Women's MMA: A Potential New Star

The Gracie family has always been a prominent force in the jiu-jitsu world. Carlos and Helio Gracie were two founders of the popular martial arts platform. Over the years, this technique has been developed further and is practiced by many fighters in the modern mixed martial arts world.

From Rickson, Helio, Carlos, and Cesar to Renzo, Royce, and Carlson, the Gracie family continues to stay on top.  

An established, but unknown Gracie member is the beautiful Kyra Gracie. Kyra, age 23, is a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) and is the first female in the Gracie family to actively compete in the sport.

She trains at the Renzo Gracie Academy in New York along with the Gracie Barra Academy in Lake Forest, California, and Rio de Janiero, Brazil.

Her résumé is impressive. She is a five-time World BJJ Champion, with the most recent title being in 2008, a five-time Pan American BJJ Games Champion, and a two-time World Abu Dhabi Champion, and she holds even more titles.

There is no denying that this woman has some serious talent, and I think it's time to build a platform where she can shine across the nation.

There are few women who would be able to hold their own with Gracie; in fact, only two women are really that well-known: Gina Carano and Cris Cyborg.

Gina Carano, also known as “Crush” on American Gladiators, is known as the face of women's MMA and has helped bring the sport to the nation’s attention; however, it is time for a big organization to step up and take the reigns on women's MMA.    

Dana White has acknowledged the talent and appeal that women bring to the game, and he has even been quoted as saying: “I think that Gina Carano is a real star. She’s beautiful, talented, and she’s a real fighter.”

White also went on to say: “I just don’t think there are enough good women fighters that you can start a division around them.”

That is the problem.

I would love for the UFC to take a risk and set up a tournament as a throw back to the original events. Bring in some of the most talented women from across the world and see how the division takes off. It's worth a shot.

With the sex appeal of Carano and Gracie and the skill and technique that they bring, it would be nothing short of entertaining, and it is about time the women's division gains notoriety.

The problem that we are having with women's MMA is the lack of discipline and respect for the sport.

I myself have stated on numerous occasions that I won't be able to fully respect the accomplishments and talent these women display until they have enough respect for their own opponents and the sport to make weight.

Women's MMA has big potential, Strikeforce's women's division is taking off. The upcoming match with Gina Carano and Cris Cyborg on August 15 will help the sport grow even more. The bout will be the second women's match to have five-minute rounds, and it is the first women's bout to headline a card.

So, attention women mixed martial artists: make weight, fight hard, and your sport has the opportunity to step into the spotlight. Until then, it will merely remain a spectacle. Carano and Cyborg, get out there and do battle.

Let’s get women's MMA the respect it deserves, and Strikeforce, bring in Kyra Gracie. You will increase the talent pool in the division, and she can give those top girls a run for their money.