MMA - Female Fighters Make MMA History

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

 

Cris "Cyborg" Sanrtos and husband Evangelista Courtesy Ester Lin 

In breaking news, “Sportsgeeks” has confirmed with Strikeforce 145 pound champion Cyborg Santos that her and her husband Evanglista will be featured in the upcoming ESPN the Magazine Body issue. The second  annual edition will feature the top athletes in sports, and featured Gina Carano in last year’s issue. The magazine hits stores this week. 

In a related story, ESPN is also in the beginning stages of creating a new network dedicated to women in sports. The ESPNW retreat happened this past weekend, as several of the world’s top athletes, as well as journalists, and marketers put together ideas for the possible network. A blog and possible show will help spark interest in the next few months.

Canadian Kickboxer Julia Budd

Cyborg Santos may be getting a challenger for her title. Julia Budd, who was the only woman to defeat Gina Carano in kickboxing, will face #6 ranked 145 pounder Shana Olsen Oct. 22 at Strikeforce Challenger in Fresno, CA, according to Mauro Ranallo's “The Fight Show” podcast this week. The winner of the match will most likely get a shot at the 145 pound title, which could happen as early as January.

 

Jessamyn Duke defeats Alexandra Stobbe

Women fought for the cause, as “The Battle for Breast Cancer” all-female card happened this weekend in Kentucky. Seven amateur and three pro fights lined up what turned out to be a very competitive card. 

Stand-out performance of the night went to 145 pounder Jessamyn Duke, who looked like she has been doing mma for years, was successful in her debut match verses Alexandra Stobbe. Duke was able to takedown and mount Stobbe, giving Duke the win via TKO at 1:42 in round 1.

In the pro matches, Adrienne Seiber made her first pro fight memorable as she took out Heather Corder via TKO at 1:33 in round 1.

Patti Lee snapped a two fight losing stream by defeating Amanda LaVoy via armbar at 2:57 in round 1.

 

Kim Couture submits Felicia Wells 

And in the main event, Kim Couture turned things around as she defeated Felicia Wells. Couture was close to tapping in a guillotine, but weathered the storm, and was able to show some great striking and a slam takedown in round 1. In round 2, Couture was able to apply an arm triangle choke to Wells and win at 1:40. Couture, who has been training with Cyborg Santos, will be fighting again in two weeks at Ring of Combat in Atlantic City.

A lot of the fighters were sports some of the Fightergirls line of shorts. For complete results, go to the Fightergirls forums.

 

Megumi Fujii taps Ward to Become 22-0 Courtesy Bellator

Also this past week Bellator has set its finalists in the 115 pound tournament. In the main event of the evening, #1 ranked Megumi Fujii made mma history by being the only fighter, male or female, to make it to 22-0. Fujii defeated #4 ranked Lisa Ward at 1:39 in round 1, receiving her 12th armbar victory, her 18th submission win, and her 22nd overall victory.

 

Zoila Frausto and Jessica Aguilar go the Distance Courtesy Bellator

In the other semi-final match, #5 ranked Zoila Frausto defeated #6 ranked Jessica Aguilar, in a controversial split decision. Frausto opened the first round with great striking, as Aguilar stalked her around the ring. Aguilar picked up the pace in round two, and was able to get more punches in verses Frausto leg kicks. It was a tough second round to call, with most thinking that Aguilar won round 2.

 

Zoila Frausto (left) & Jessica Aguilar (right) Post Fight Courtesy Bellator

In the third round, Aguilar threw some hard punches, swelling up Frausto’s faces, and winning round three. After deliberating for a good five minutes, one judge scored the bout 30-27 Aguilar, with the other two judges scoring the bout 30-27 Frausto.

Fujii and Frausto will face each other Oct. 28 in Hollywood, FL for the 115 pound title. The match will be broadcast on Fox Sports Network.

 

Keri Scarr (left) and Stephanie Webber (right) at Weigh-ins

In more results from this past weekend:

Stephanie Webber defeats Keri "Crusher" Scarr via armbar in round one 1:11

and

Danielle West defeats Maria Hougaard by unanimous decision at FighterGalla 16 in Denmark.

 

 

Fighter's Only magazine has announced their Female Fighter of the Year finalist. Strikeforce champions Sarah Kaufman and Cyborg Santos join Bellator finalists Megumi Fujii and Zoila Frausto, and Strikeforce 135 grand prix champion Miesha Tate in the online voting. People can go to http://www.onlineawards.co.uk.

 

Strikeforce champ Sarah Kaufman (left) & Marloes Coenen (right) 

Coming this Friday, Strikeforce 135 pound champion Sarah Kaufman will face #2 ranked 145 pounder Marloes Coenen in San Jose, CA for the title, and both women state they are ready for the challenge.

Kaufman is coming off of a tremendous victory over #4 ranked Roxanne Modafferi, and wants to prove to be the best female pound for pound in the world. Coenen is hoping to find success after her defeat at the hands of 145 pound champion Cyborg Santos. The match will be televised on Showtime.

Five days after her title match, Coenen will face Lena Buytendijk at United Glory in Amsterdam, which will be stream live on their website Oct. 16.

 

The October rankings are out, with no changes in all divisions.

 

 

Fighter Jan Finney

Jan Finney announced this week on twitter that she is expecting to be fighting within the next few months, and it is also expected that #1 ranked 125 pounder Tara LaRosa will be making a similar, yet unrelated announcement. We’ll keep you posted.

 

Fightergirls Fight Team Member Ashley Weakley Courtesy Tuff-n-uff

Ashley Weakley, after losing in the finals of the Tuff-n-uff 135 pound title, stated on twitter that she will be turning pro in the next few months.

 

Congratulations to Elena "Babydoll" Reid on her recent engagement

 

Fighter Carina Damm

In matches this week – 

#2 ranked 125 pounder Carina Damm faces Mongolian wrestler Esui at Fury 2 in Macau, China

Jessica Rakoczy faces a yet to be named opponent at MMA Xplosion: USA vs Kazakshtan in Las Vegas

Karina Hallinan faces Marissa Caldwell at XFC 12: Mayham in Cyprus

and 

JEWELS 10th ring with feature eight pro mma matches, including Saori Ishioka facing Celine Haga and Asako Saioka faces Harumi.

 

That's all for now. Check out Fightergirls - for all your women’s mma news and interviews. You can 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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