Bleacher Report - Articles by Jen Aniano

The Female MMA Debacle

Jen Aniano — Tue, 26 May 2009 23:00:31 -0400

I know most of the chauvinistic male fight fans out there believe women not making weight for high profile fights is inexcusable. And I believe under most circumstances it is; however, look at the situation from a different perspective.

If you are a female figther you have to fight at 135 lbs if you want to get on good fight cards on pay-per-view. How many male fighters are forced to fight in one weight class to be recognized?

So, some would argue the solution is simple: Create more weight classes. Do real fight fans out there not believe other weight classes would have been created if the solution were that simple?

There are many problems with creating multiple weight classes. First and foremost women's MMA does not have enough exposure to make multiple weight classes worth creating.

There could be talented female fighters out there yet to be discovered but promoters do not want to risk making multiple female wieght classes that are two or three people deep.

The truth is Carano and Cyborg are too big for 135 and People like Tara Larosa should be given bigger opportunities at 125.

So what should the future hold for women's MMA? I say, with the canceling of Smack Girl in Japan, start paying women more money and get Japanese women to America.

If female fighting developed the international fighting community male fighting has developed fight fans could see good female fights at two or three different weights.

Female MMA needs a big organization, like the WEC,to take a chance and bring more of the international community together. Someone out there needs to start paying women more money to fight in the USA and offer two female fights at different weights. One fight on the under-card and one on the Pay-Per-View.

Until then, women are going to continue to embarrass themselves by not making weight or having to fight at a weight far too heavy for their body type.

I myself am one of those women's who is going to have to sit tight, buckle up and enjoy the ride until a big promoter and a big organization takes a chance on women smaller than 135. And I cannot wait to see where the next couple of years takes me and women's MMA.

Cyborg Vs Carano: A Female Fighter's Perspective

Jen Aniano — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 12:55:04 -0400

No I am not a pro-fighter. I have never been paid to step into the cage or the ring. So I suppose I cannot say I have experienced the "real world" of fighting. But I have worked really hard to be a good fighter. And I am working even harder to get respect, sponsors and enough wins to get a shot at going pro.

I appreciate Gina Carano being pretty enough to get the fight fans to pay attention to some female fights, but I do not think she is a great fighter. I believe she is a good fighter, but she is not the best, and she should not be the face of MMA. However, uneducated female fight fans believe she is the end all which makes the rest of us look like we cannot match up in skill to male fighters.

Carano herself said she needed to get into the gym and take MMA more seriously after her fight with Kaitlin Young. Well, that is just great. Lets make a pretty girl who admits she needs to hit the gym the female face of MMA.

Check out my other articles and you will find a few women who deserve to have the money, fights and TV time that Carano is privy to for no particular reason other than her face.

That being said Carano is going to have the fight of her life and the wake up call of the century when she steps into the cage with Cyborg. Well, if she ever steps into the cage with Cyborg. Yes, I know a pay-per-view date has been set. So before everyone posts a million comments I already got the message.

I am not taking Carano's record and victories away from her. Good for her and her abilities. But we would all be lying to ourselves if we did not admit that Carano is a protected fighter. Her face sells so lets not get someone into the cage with her who can actually punch and kick it.

The last fight with Kobold was good but it will be nothing compared to what Cyborg is going to throw. Look at Kobold's posture and performance in the last fight. She throws punches with her head down and eyes closed, a big no, no against anyone, especially an experienced Muay Thai fighter. Kobold also, out of desperation, took sloppy shots making her face vulnerable to knees and upper cuts and her throat vulnerable to chokes.

Kobold deserves respect for being good enough to be given the chance to get onto the fight card but there were mistakes made that just should not have been made. Those mistakes probably cost her the decision.

Cyborg has excellent conditioning, cardio, muscle mass, and stand-up. This will be the best stand-up game Carano has faced. Carano has really good form when she stands up. Her punches are clean and kicks are solid and usually dead on. She has not been challenged in the stand-up game yet.

Cyborg is the only fighter Carano will have faced who can match her punching strength and accuracy. Cyborg can also take a hit and recover unlike any fighter Carano has already faced.

And the last thing I have to say is lay off on Cyborg's looks. Hello, women fighters are not going to be the best looking chicks in the world. Same way male fighters are not hot dudes. We get hit all day long in the face.

We are not immune from cauliflower ear and broken crooked noses. We all work out and most of us have six packs and big muscles. Deal with it. Just because we are cut and lean does not mean we take HGH or roids and does not mean we are big lesbian men.

[I am also waiting patiently for the Carano-Bazler match-up and the Carano-Buckner match-up. And as a shout out in agreement with a few comments I would not mind watching Sexton in the cage with Carano for a much needed and overdue rematch.]

Women's Boxing In The 2012 Olympics? Wu Ching-Kuo Wants It Why Don't You?

Jen Aniano — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:25:33 -0400

International Boxing Association President Wu Ching-Kuo recently announced his ambition to see women's boxing entered into the 2012 Olympics in London.

And why not?

Women's Judo, Taekwondo, and freestyle wrestling have graced the Olympics with their enormous presence. (USA took a gold and a bronze in the women's freestyle competition.)

All too often women in certain sports in the Olympics see less competition on a general basis than men do in the same sports.

For example men's soccer or football is not a large competition in the Olympics. Most countries send their B or C team to the games. Whereas, the Olympics are a large competition for women's soccer or football teams. Most countries come with their A game.

The moral of the story is while men's Olympic boxing is not a big deal and does not host professional boxers, most women boxers spend there life fighting the same five people until they become insanely popular pros.

So, the Olympics would offer one of the largest and hardest competitions women's boxing has ever seen. The true champion of the world in each weight class could then be crowned.

There is no legitimate reason women's boxing is not introduced into the 2012 Olympics especially with the knowledge that women's softball and men's baseball is being removed from the games.

To Wu I say press on Wu, press on.

The Olympics: A Fist for Freedom

Jen Aniano — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:45:36 -0400

The Olympics provide a stage for the entire world to, not only watch sports, but also fight for beliefs. Yet in recent Olympic history, the world has ignored the true calling of the Olympics.

The 2008 Olympics comes at a time when the first African American is running for the U.S. Presidency, Tibet is fighting for freedom from China, and Iraq is searching for its identity from the coalition, among many other world issues. Why then has the Olympic Committee decided to hold the Olympics in China?

Given the current state of international affairs, many human beings do not respect the decision to hold the Olympics in China.

On the other hand, China may be the perfect place to make a political statement.

Often times, athletes in the Olympics are fighting for rights or freedoms in their home countries. If the world believes that China has violated human rights and freedoms, then what better place is there to bring the world's eyes to the attention of human injustice? And who better to protest than the athletes themselves?

The 1968 Olympics is a perfect example of how a controversial location and an unstable international climate could lead to an everlasting memory of the human spirit and a symbol of rights and freedom for oppressed people across the globe.

Mexico City was a turbulant place when the Olympics moved in. And 1968 was a time of wars and international unrest—America itself was fighting an internal freedom struggle.

The Vietnam war was in full swing entering its ninth year and Martin Luther King Jr. died shortly before the Olympics in April of 1968. The world, alongside of America, would mourn.

Mexico City was plagued with violence. Many young citizens of Mexico believed the Olympics was a waste of social funding and authority. Mexican student protesters were massacred a few days before the Olympics and nearly 300 died.

The world's eyes were on the 1968 Olympics not only for the joy and fuffilment of watching the athletes and believing in passion but also because of the international and political climate of the time.

San Jose University African American track runners, John Carlos and Tommie Smith, understood then that this was an opportunity for them to peacefully protest the injustices of the U.S. racial system and the hopelessness of human rights injustices around the world.

Smith took the gold with an impressive 19.5 second 200 meter run. Carlos finished with a bronze.

The two solemnly walked to the podium where they were adorned with flowers and medals. Both men wore black socks with no shoes and sported human rights badges. They climbed the podium and their black socks clashed with the white boxes beneath their feet.

Slowly the national anthem began to play. Both men bowed their heads and proudly raised a fist encased in a black glove into the air in the black power salute.

These men were good enough to compete for their country but were not good enough to share the liberties that other Americans enjoyed. They understood that.

They used the controversial stage set at the Mexico City Olympics to their advantage.

While they were barred from further competition in the Olympics and were not heroically received in the U.S., Carlos and Smith are looked upon as heroes of the civil rights movements and heroes of human rights around the world.

China, much like Mexico City, is a controversial place to hold the Olympics. The Iraq war, much like the Vietnam War, is a controversial war. The Tibetan Freedom Fight, much like the African American Freedom Fight, is one that the world is watching.

If the actions of two men in the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City can be a part of the reason why an African American man can run for the 2008 presidential seat, then China is the perfect stage to set the Olympics.

The world should not boycott the Olympics for its location—instead the world should celebrate the athletes who made the games, and the athletes should use the Olympics to make a small, yet meaningful, difference.

Tito Ortiz Is Bad for MMA—This Is Gonna Hurt

Jen Aniano — Sun, 18 May 2008 08:44:50 -0400

Many UFC fans are not hardcore MMA fans. Let's face the facts, the UFC is gaining popularity as professional wrestling has gained popularity.

Love of the sport is not the only reason people watch; love of blood and the possibility of gore also entices crowds. I guess the same logic applies to people watching NASCAR for the crashes.

But is all of the male soap opera hype going to hinder the sport of mixed martial arts?

While I certainly support the argument that the male soap opera antics of fighters like Tito Ortiz will win over crowds, I most certainly do not believe that it adds to the credibility of the institution that is mixed martial arts.

I believe professional wrestlers work very hard at what they do. But we all know it is fake. Although it is backbreaking work, the fact remains that it is fake and scripted.

MMA and the UFC however is real, raw, and features unscripted competition.

So why taint it with story lines?

The whole feud situation, anyone who knows anything about UFC knows Ortiz and White have issues, makes it hard for me to want to be a part of the UFC fan network.

I love MMA because of what it is. I do not want what happens on the outside affecting the viewing of the fights. The feuding does not speak to the seriousness of the competition.

Seriously Tito, if you care that much about your fighting career and about your many fans why are you letting White get in between you and the cage?

Do you really think White needs you so badly that he would apologize to you and beg you to step inside the cage and fight a few more for him?

Get over yourself and stop turning one of the last pure sports on Earth into the money grubbing institution it has now been slated to become.

There is no argument here: if Ortiz's book, This is Gonna Hurt, is completely truthful he has had a hard life. Good for him for getting through it and becoming a decent fighter.

But he did release his book just in time for everyone to think he deserves sympathy.

Could this have been a ploy to pull fans from the UFC to wherever Ortiz might end up?

I cannot say for sure, but I can say his antics are ruining what is special about MMA and even the UFC.

And I cannot end the article without saying: Matt Hughes you most certainly are not The Most Dominant Champion in UFC History. Can you seriously claim that?

The Iceman vs The Nebraskin Assassin

Jen Aniano — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 02:00:47 -0500

The powerful punch of the Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell may meet the unstopable hands of Houston "The Nebraskin Assassin" Alexander in London. At least, that is the word on the MMA street.

Liddell has proven that he has a ground game if the fight hits the floor. Alexander has not been given the chance to display more than his ability to ground and pound.

During his UFC career Alexander has either TKO'd his opponent or has been TKO'd. Liddell has more experience and has found himself in all positions including the losing end of a fight.

If a fighter is picked on experience Liddell will be favored. However, both fighters look to stand and hit. If this fight does take place it will probably be one of the most interesting fights the UFC has seen.

The prediction: Alexander comes back from his loss with a vengeance and beats Liddell by TKO round two.

UFC: I Am a Little Upset With Dana

Jen Aniano — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 03:57:22 -0500

Do not get me wrong, I think Dana White has done more for the sport of MMA than many people could. But I have a bone to pick.

I understand that the UFC is a money-making organization. I also understand that if they did everything with the fans in mind they might not make a lot of money.

This weekend I competed in the NAGA tournament at the Arnold Classic. The tournament cost me $80 and I had to pay for two nights in a hotel. Not to mention, I paid for the gas to get to Columbus and back. I just did not have the money to spend on a UFC ticket.

I figured that the bars in Columbus would not be permitted to show the UFC so that the UFC could ensure that people in Columbus would buy tickets for the event.

I also figured that 20 miles or so outside of the city I could catch the event at a bar somewhere. But I was sadly mistaken. The UFC placed a 50 mile blockout on the event.

I think 50 miles is really ridiculous. I missed the event and had to wait until I got home on Sunday to pay the $45 to watch it on TV. All said and done, I could have bought the $50 UFC ticket.

I'm upset because the UFC was making a ton of money on the event. They could have blocked Columbus bars and still made the money they made. I don't think it is right that they expect everyone to be able to afford tickets to the event.

People who do not make enough money to watch the UFC at an event should be given equal opportunity to enjoy they sport they love. The UFC is not going anywhere and is not losing money. It is about time that all fans are considered.

Fighting for Credible Fights

Jen Aniano — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 02:06:08 -0500

Randy Couture's third wife, Kim, will have her first professional fight on February 23rd in Las Vegas. The fight will be a Muay Thai/boxing event. She has been training with Xtreme Couture for a few years and has recently rolled with Gina Carano.

Fightergirls.com lists no amateur record for Kim and a quick search on the net does not offer any amateur information.

According to articles on the net Kim said "I was working out with her. During pro practice and while training with her, it makes you think. I had always been an athlete, and it makes you want to compete to see how you fare. We had one of the toughest crews and with training with Gina, I thought it stood to be somewhat decent."

After her comment the assumption is that Kim has never competed at all.

Many fighters make names for themselves, other than those famous through other means, starting from the ground up. Fighters have to start with low level, no-name, amateur promotions. Then, if a fighter is good enough, he or she will move up to decent amateur fights and eventually low level pro-fights.

Years can pass before an opportunity like the UFC. What gives Kim the right to have those opportunities?

Yes, she trains with some of the most amazing martial artists the world has to offer. But that doesn't mean she’s ready to fight professionally.

This fight could ruin much of the credibility that women fighters like Gina Carano and Shitako Shinasi have worked so hard to acquire and maintain.

Your name shouldn't buy a professional fight or a professional contract.

Jujitsu Black Belt? You Should Care

Jen Aniano — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 04:56:14 -0500

The ability of a Jujitsu black belt to win in the UFC cannot be disputed.

One of the most important aspects of MMA is knowing what to do when the fight meets the ground.

The Gracie family played a large role in the beginning of the UFC. When the UFC began it was a no-holds-barred competition of strength and ability.

Rules? There were none. Weight classes? Unimportant.

And who won many of those matchups? You guessed it—Jujitsu experienced fighters.

According to Wikipedia, "With no weight classes, fighters often faced significantly larger or taller opponents. For example, Keith "The Giant Killer" Hackney faced Emmanuel Yarborough at UFC 3 with a 9 in (22 cm) height and 400 lb (180 kg) weight disadvantage.^[12] Many martial artists believed that technique could overcome these size disadvantages, and that a skilled fighter could use an opponent's size and strength against him; with the 170 lb (77 kg/12 st) Royce Gracie winning three of the first four UFC events, the UFC quickly proved that size does not always determine outcome."

Many fighter's have black belts in Jujitsu or are experienced wrestlers because those are the fighters that are able to win and keep contracts. Yes there are a few Jujitsu-experienced MMA fighters who do not do well in the UFC, but the fact that they had to win professional fights to be in the UFC cannot be ignored.

Pound for pound, stand-up-only fighters do not always have the upper hand—for example, Mirko Filipovic and Chuck Liddell. And yes, Quinton Jackson, arguably one of the best fighter in the UFC, is one of the pound-for-pound, stand-up-only fighters who does very well, however, he has a rather extensive wrestling background. If the fight hits the floor he knows what to do.

There is no evidence to support having an extensive background in some form of karate or certain other martial arts will produce more well rounded fighters than those of the Gracie and/or Machado Jujitsu camps. Jujitsu, wrestling, and boxing remain three of the most important aspects of fighting, and any fighter who has an extensive background in one and trains in other areas has more than a fighting chance of reaching the top of the UFC and MMA world.

High School Wrestling: The Streak

Jen Aniano — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 10:55:04 -0500

High school wrestling is entering the second half of the season all across the United States. One school in Florida has come back from Christmas break with a bit of a heart break.

Brandon High School in Brandon, Florida is home of one of the nations power house wrestling teams. With more than 100 individual state placers and at least 18 team state championship titles Brandon was a force to be reckoned with.

The wrestling team's 459 win streak came to an end Jan. 5 when they were defeated by South Dade High School 32-28. An unfortunate end to an amazing record of wins.

According to the associated press before Dade's win no team had come within 20 points of a Brandon High School Victory.