Gina Carano vs. Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos Preview

After both Gina and Chris “Cyborg” dismantled their opponents at Elite XC “Heat” on Oct. 4, a showdown between arguably the two best female MMA fighters was inevitable.

It was expected that Gina “Conviction” Carano put her unblemished record on the line against Chute Box alumnus Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos on the next Elite XC pay-per-view card, but since the company has folded, we can only hope that some other promoter will organize this great match-up.

Both women are great strikers, Muay-Thai specialists, and although they are both very comfortable on the ground, this is going to be a stand-up battle. Gina has one submission victory via rear naked choke against Tonya Evinger, three KOs, and three decisions. Chris “Cyborg” has been submitted once at the hands of Erica Paes via leglock, has won four times by way of knockout, and has two decision victories.

STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES

Gina Carano

The fact that Gina Carano has one victory via submission, and Chris “Cyborg” has been submitted once, does not necessarily mean that Carano has a better ground game, but we have to give a slight advantage to Carano on the ground, at least on paper.

Gina is a great stand-up fighter, with a wide range of tools. She's got a powerful overhand right, a good jab, high and low kicks, knees. It's hard to find a flaw in her stand-up game, but there's always room for improvement.

She needs to work on her boxing defense more, and to be careful when throwing that big right hand as she has a tendency to swing too wide and keep her left hand too low, which leaves her open for counter-punches (as was the case at the end of the first round in her match with Kelly Kobold, when Gina widely swung with her right, but missed, and immediately received Kobold's counter-punch in the jaw.)

Chris “Cyborg” Santos

“Cyborg” comes from one of the greatest mixed martial arts academies in the world – The Chute Box Academy, the gym that created champions such as Wanderlei Silva, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, and Anderson Silva.

Cristiane Santos is a first-class striker. She's very aggressive, has vicious knees from the Thai-clinch, and unparalleled boxing skills. She's got ferocious ground and pound, and good wrestling and throws.

Furthermore, “Cyborg” has extremely fast and powerful hands, and is most dangerous when she closes the distance and bangs at close range. However, she has been submitted once via leglock, and maybe Carano may want to test “Cyborg” on the ground.

WINNING STRATEGIES

Gina Carano

Gina should keep the fight on the outside. She will need to establish her jab early, and to prevent Santos from closing the distance with front kicks.

She should try to pick “Cyborg” apart with low, high, and middle kicks. Gina must avoid swinging and trading blows at close range. “Cyborg” will come out banging, but Gina should circle around, be patient, frustrate “Cyborg” with kicks, and wait for an opportunity to counter. “Cyborg” is going to move forward and push pace, which may leave her open for counter-punches.

Gina should counter with her overhand right, in a Machida-like style, in and out fast, and try to intercept “Cyborg” as she moves forward. Gina never shoots in for a takedown, so that would be a great surprise move if she can put “Cyborg” on her back, and deliver some ground and pound.

Chris “Cyborg”

“Cyborg” is going to bring the fight to Gina Carano, and try to break Gina with high pace and constant pressure. She should be careful for counter-punches, and keep her head and upper body moving, especially when trying to close the distance.

She also needs to watch for Gina's overhand right. When Gina's big right hand comes, “Cyborg” should slip the punch and immediately counter with her right, as Gina sometimes drops her left hand too low while throwing the right.

“Cyborg” is very strong in the clinch, and has good throws, but it's going to be difficult to take Gina down as she trains with one of the best wrestlers in the MMA game, Randy Couture.

If Chris “Cyborg” makes Gina accept fighting “Cyborg's” style, which is to stand and bang, the Chute Box alumnus could leave the octagon with her hands raised.

PREDICTION

CRISTIANE "CYBORG" SANTOS—SPLIT DECISION

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