Women's MMA - Upsets and Knockdowns

Welcome to the Fightergirls column brought to you by your source for women’s mma gear and clothing Fightergirls.com. Here is the news for this week.

Zoila Frausto Upsets #1 Rosi Sexton - Photo courtesy April Greene

In what was the biggest upset of the year in women’s mma, Zoila Frausto defeated #1 ranked 125 pounder Rosi Sexton in a 121 catchweight bout at Bellator 23 this past Thursday in Louisville, KY. The now 7-1 Frausto was able to knock out the Sexton with a knee in the first round to hand the Brit her first loss.

With the win, Sexton is out of the Bellator 115 pound tournament due to a mandatory medical suspension, and Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney said that a decision on Sexton’s replacement would be made this week.

Rebney said during the post fight press conference that he talked to Frausto post fight, and she would be in consideration. Two other women are also in contention.

Rebney also announced that a 115 pound women’s challengers’ tournament would be set for the spring season, with those not invited to the initial tournament in August. Sexton will most likely take part.

#7 ranked Jessica Aguilar was announced to the fall tournament this week, which will begin August 12 in Hollywood, FL with #1 ranked 115 pounder Megumi Fujii’s opening round match-up verse a yet to be named opponent.

Cyborg Santos overwhelms Jan Finney Courtesy Ester Lin/Strikeforce

The other big contest of the weekend featured Strikeforce 145 pound champion Cyborg Santos defending her title against Jan Finney. Finney tried to go toe-to-toe with Cyborg, which caused problem as Finney went down several times in the opening round. Finney was able to defend herself throughout the round, with Cyborg being deducted a point for hitting to the back of the head.

The second round saw Finney land a solid punch before Cyborg continued her onslaught. It took a knee to the body by Cyborg to finish off Finney at 2:56.

Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker stated that former #2 ranked Erin Toughill will be the next contender for Cyborg this fall. Toughill has stated that she is taking a match in July, but the details have not been given on who, where, and when this will take place. 

Coker also announced that there will be a 145 pound tournament sometime next year to find more contenders for the division.

#10 ranked Miesha Tate

It is expected this week Strikeforce will announce the participants in the 135 pound tournament set to start in August. Scott Coker stated in an interview that #10 ranked Miesha Tate and Kerry Vera were great possibilities for the tournament, and Marloes Coenen had stated she too was going to be involved. Brazilian fighter and #3 ranked 125 pounder Carina Damm has also been rumored to be apart of the tournament.

However, sources tell Fightergirls that #3 ranked Shayna Baszler would not be involved, but would take on the winner of July 23’s Strikeforce 135 pound title match between the #2 ranked Roxanne Modafferi and Strikeforce champion Sarah Kaufman in Everett, WA.

145 pound contender Kelly Kobold-Gavin

Fightergirls heard from formerly ranked 145 pounder Kelly Kobold-Gavin, who is preparing to get back into the cage after a two year lay off. Kobold-Gavin, who’s last fight was a decision loss to #3 ranked Gina Carano in EliteXC, was in an exhibition bout on June 19, winning via an armbar against Melissa Schiro at 1:58 in round 1. Kobold stated that she is cutting weight and getting back into full fledged training. We will let you know when she plans to fight next over at Fightergirls.com

JEWELS MMA Japan has announced a 115 pound tournament July 31 card, which will include some of the upcoming Japanese fighters. This will be apart of a festival, featuring autograph sessions with the top Japanese women in the sport, including Megumi Fujii and #5 ranked 145 pounder Hiroko on July 28.

Tuff-n-uff mma will be starting two more amateur women’s title tournaments this Friday July 2 in the 125 pound and 135 pound divisions, which will air free of charge at the Tuffnuff.tv website. Check out Fightergirls.com for complete coverage.

Fightergirls CEO and top fighter Debi Purcell will be hosting a Women's MMA Bootcamp at the "Fighter Girls Gym" in Irvine, CA this July 8-18. Pre-register to reserve your spot by call 949-215-5595 or for further information.

That is all for now. Please check out Fightergirls.com for all your women’s mma news and interviews. Plus follow us on twitter @Fightergirls with the most up to the minute breaking news stories in women’s mma.

Also check out the Fightergirls Store for all your mma gear and clothing, now featuring a line of women's and men's shorts. We also carry RevGear, Everlast, and Cleto Reyes boxing and mma gear.

Until next week.

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• Filed Under:  
• Martial Arts, MMA