Kobold Flawless in Return, Legendary Female Boxer/MMA Fighter Retires, Plus More MMA News

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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.

 

Kelly Kobold Courtesy MN MMA News

One of the toughest women in MMA is back, and hasn’t lost a step.

Kelly Kobold was victorious at the Brutaal MMA card this weekend, as she made short work of the undefeated Pipi Taylor, making her tap via armbar at 2:05 of the first round. Kobold hasn’t seen professional action in two years, but did do an exhibition match last year. The win snaps a three fight losing streak. Kobold looks in great shape and hopes to compete in the 125 pound division in her next fight. 

Go to Fightergirls.com to see the complete fight, courtesy of Team Bison.

 

Blalock (blue) vs. Nolan (Black) Courtesy John Burkard Photography

Ring of Fire MMA champion Michelle Blalock successfully defended her title this weekend verse a tough Casey Nolan in what was Blalock’s pro debut. The referee stopped the contest at 3:11 in the second round to give Blaock the victory.

 

Three women’s fights topped the Evolution Combat Sports card, as the fighters mixed it up in different fashions. 

#7 ranked 125 pounder Carla Esparza made quick work of Yadira Anzaldua, getting the rear naked choke in just :53 seconds. Esparaza’s next fight will be verse #6 ranked Jessica Aguilar at Bellator on June 25 at the Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood, FL, and live on MTV 2.

Local favorite Margarita Chavez and Iowa’s Cassie Rodish duked it out for three rounds, as Chavez got the split decision win.

In the main event of the evening, Jackson/Winkeljohn MMA’s Heather Clark showed off her boxing skills and got the TKO victory over tough Texan Jennifer Scott in the second round.

And finally, M-1 women’s champion Yana Kunitskaya defeated Rotaru Andreea in a K-1 kickboxing match.

 

Strikeforce superstar fighter Gina Carano

A wide spread rumor went around the internet this past weekend about who Gina Carano is going to be facing at the June 18 Strikeforce event in Dallas. Fightergirls has learned that a decision has yet to be made, but is expecting an announcement will be made this week.

 

Reid Courtesy Alan Messick Photography

In an article on MMARising.com, pro boxer and mma star Elana "Baby Doll" Reid has announced her retirement from fighting.

The 29 year old fighter has an impressive 29-5 boxer record, along with a 4-1 MMA record.  She's the youngest boxer ever to win an IFBA boxing World Title, and has held both the WIBA boxing and the Sovereign Nations MMA Women's Flyweight title.

Her last fight was a boxing match on June 5 in France, and had been recovering torn MCL and ruptured ACL since then. Reid stated she wants to start a family and support the fighting sports outside the ring.

You can read more about Reid's history and what she has to say about retirement by going to MMARising.com.

 

Japanese wrestler Mai Ichii

Japan's Mai Ichii retired from MMA & pro wrestling this week as well, and will be getting married in October.

 

Strikeforce champ Marloes Coenen

Strikeforce champion Marloes Coenen will have a home gym in the states. Golden Glory, the Dutch team she trains with, will be opening a branch in Coast Mesa, CA in late June. 

 

Olympic Medalist Sara McMann

U.S. Olympic silver medalist Sara McMann will be making her pro debut, just not on Strikeforce. She will face Mariah Johnson at Extreme Challenge in Bettendorf, IA on April 30.

 

Fighter Ashley Sanchez

After her upset of Erin Toughill, Ashley Sanchez is heading to 145.

In an interview on the Fightergirls podcast, Sanchez stated she has developed more as a fighter in her three year absense, and since the win, has gained a lot of exposure. The weight drop will be gradual as the months progress.

Sanchez will face Adrienne Seiber at Cutthroat MMA in Hammond, IN May 21 at 155 pounds.

 

Budd (left) & Brone (right) face off in Canada

Strikeforce veteran Julia Budd will make histroy north of the border as she faces Anna Barone in the first sanctioned women's MMA fight in Ontario May 19. 

 

Daly (left) & Gaff (right) face off at Cage Warrior

Across the pond, Cage Warriors is gearing up for their card in North London, England. #5 ranked 125 pounder and Ireland's own Ais "The Bash" Daly will face the "German Tank" Sheila Gaff.  For those Canadians who have Fight Network, you can watch the fights at Noon eastern/9 a.m. pacific Sunday.

 

In other pro matches this week:

Kyane Hampton faces Patricia Vidonic at Ultimate Showdown: Sidney Slam 5 in Sidney, MT 

and

Romy Ruyssen faces Myriem el Banouti at MMA OFC 02 in Colfontaine, 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.

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