Big Week of Surprises, Heartbreak, and Disasters in Women's MMA

posted by MarQFPR, a Women Talk Sports blogger
Monday, March 14, 2011 at 6:42am EDT

About MarQFPR:

Modafferi, Aguilar, & Fujii Thursday night before the quake

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.

Megumi Fujii During the Quake

The devastation of the earthquake and tsunami is still being felt in Japan. Local fighters Megumi Fujii, Roxanne Modafferi, Hitomi Akano, and American fighter Jessica Aguilar (who was there for the JEWELS MMA card Friday night, which was cancelled) are all okay. You can hear Modafferi, Fujii, and Aguilar's accounts of the earthquake here.

Akano & Fujii after Pancrase Victory

The Japanese Pancrase card did happen, however, with #8 ranked 135 pounder Hitomi Akano defeating Chisa Yonezawa via armbar at 40 seconds of round 1.

A blockbuster announcement was made this weekend as Zuffa, which is the parent company of the UFC, bought its biggest competitor Strikeforce.

As of now, Strikeforce will run independently with the same staff and all fighters under contract still have jobs. It’s going to be business as usual, with the exception that the UFC will be airing commercials, and the Fertitta brothers (who are the financial backers of the UFC) will be showing up at events from time to time. No cross over talent and no Dana White in the crowd (at least not initially). A re-evaluation of the situation will be made after the Strikeforce contract with Showtime is up at the end of 2013.

LaRosa Victorious Courtesy Eric Karr/Shark Fights

#1 ranked 125 pounder Tara LaRosa made her return to the cage last Friday defeating #6 ranked Carina Damm by submission heel hook at 28 seconds of round 2 at Shark Fights in Lubbock, TX, broadcast on HDNet. LaRosa, who is on a two fight win streak, has been on a mission to face the top fighters in the 125 pound division. With the win, LaRosa is expected to face the winner of the match between #4 ranked Cat Zingano and a yet to be named opponent at the April Shark Fights card.

Taylor Stratford with Coach Ramos

Top amateur fighter Taylor Stratford has accomplished a rare feet in winning two titles in eight day. After winning the Ultimate Reno Combat title last week in a four round war, Stratford defeated Ashlee Evans-Smith via rear naked choke submission at 1:01 of round 2 to become the first ever Tuff-n-uff 145 pound champion. Stratford stated she would be willing to defend the title against Tori Adams, who had to withdraw from the tournament due to a family matter. Stratford is also looking to take some fights at 135 pounds before turning pro.

Titana Van Polanen Petel Post Fight in Abu Dhabi

History was made in the Middle East this weekend, as the first ever women's mma match happened in Abu Dhabi. The Netherlands’s Titana Van Polanen Petel def. Finland’s Outi Louhimo via TKO at 2:27 in round 1 at the Abu Dhabi Fighting Championships: Round 3.

Barb Honchak victorious over A.J. McAvoy

In other action from this past weekend:

#9 ranked Barb Honchak defeated A.J. McAvoy via unanimous decision at Wright Fight 2 in Missouri.

Strikeforce vet Maiju Kujala defeated Emma Watson by TKO at 4:21 of round 1 at Fight Festival 30 in Finland.

and

Raquel Pa'aluhi defeated Nikohl Johnson by TKO ref stop 3rd round to retains the X-1 MMA title in Hawaii.

Gurgel vs. Hallinan Courtesy Sherdog.com

Bellator 115 champion Zoila Gurgel has been medically suspended for 6 months due to broken hand. It was suspected that she would be defending the title in May, but it is looking very unlikely. Gurgel told Fightergirls that she is expected to be 100% in June or July. Gurgel also went on the record that she would be willing to go to 115 pounds to defend the title against Jessica Aguilar, which contradicts what Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney stated in a post fight press conference a few weeks ago.

Yabushita (left courtesy Sherdog.com) possible opponent for Kaufman (right)

Strikeforce fighter Sarah Kaufman may have an opponent for her Armageddon Fighting Championship 5 match in her hometown of Victoria, BC on April 2. Japanese MMA vet Megumi Yabushita is in talks to be her opponent, and an official announcement will hopefully happen this week. Yabushita last trip to the United States was in the Freestyle Cagefighting tournament a year ago, losing to #4 ranked 135 pounder Shayna Baszler.

Carano with McGregor on Set of "Haywire"

Strikeforce confirmed this past week that Gina Carano will fight at their Dallas card June 18. Her opponent is yet to be announced. Meanwhile, several photos appeared on the net this week of Carano and co-star Ewan McGregor from the set of “Haywire”. The link to the photos are available in the Fightergirls forums.

M-1 Global announced this week that Stacy Grant and Bethany Marshall will square off on the undercard of the M-1 Global event in Norfolk, VA Mar. 25.

Belgian Fighter Cindy Dandois

In the only pro match this week:

#9 ranked 145 pounder Cindy Dandois faces Jorina Baars at Staredown 5 in Belgium

That is all for now. Please check out Fightergirls 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 of all your mma gear and clothing. We also carry Everlast and Cleto Reyes boxing and mma gear.

Until next week

View MarQFPR's Profile

Filed Under:

ongoing stories

Zuffa buys Strikeforce
Earthquake in Japan

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Big Week of Surprises, Heartbreak, and Disasters in Women's MMA

Zuffa buys Strikeforce

Earthquake in Japan

Roxanne Modafferi

Megumi Fujii

Jessica Aguilar

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