Author Archives: Jen
MMA Live: 8-20-09
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Rashad Evans and Kenny Florian talk about recent news in MMA:
brief talk about Carano vs. Cyborg fight and woman’s MMA
when does Cyborg fight next and who’s her next opponent
other fights on the Strikeforce card
UFC related news
Chuck Liddell on Dancing with the stars
*if your only interested in news related to Gina, go to 6:10
Video: espn.go.com
Randy Couture Proud of Protege Gina Carano..
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UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture was in Gina Carano’s corner this past Saturday as she faced the toughest opponent of her career at “Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg.” Although her supermodel-face didn’t leave the cage the same way it entered, Couture is still proud of the work his protege put in despite the disappointing loss.
“I think she had some opportunities to win,” the UFC Hall of Famer said on Carano’s behalf. “It was an amazing five minutes. They made a lot of transitions, a lot of positions, and I think Gina caught Cyborg with some shots that got her attention, and obviously Gina got overwhelmed on a couple of occasions, but I think overall, she did some great things.
“This is a new experience for her, and it’s an important one, and I expect she’s going to come out the other side a stronger and better athlete for what she’s going through right now.”
Carano entered the highly anticipated title fight against Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos as a 2-to-1 underdog, so it wasn’t groundbreaking news that she didn’t take the belt back to Vegas with her. However, it was surprising to most that she put up legit resistance, even landing in top position two times during their cat fight.
“The gameplan was to use her combinations and her footwork,” said Couture of his strategy for Carano. “Stick and move and try to make Cyborg keep up with her and find her. Obviously, they ended up in a couple of firefights that she really didn’t need to be in, but it’s hard when somebody hits you, not to stand and try to hit them back. It’s understandable.”
Carano definitely got herself in situations that she should have avoided, however she fought valiantly against the cream of the crop when it comes to women’s mixed martial arts.
Couture said he expects Carano back sooner rather than later, so that’s good news. But most importantly Randy, how’s that pretty face looking?
“She’s fine, no injuries,” said Couture of Carano, whose record now drops to 7-1. “A little scuffed up, but not bad. I think she takes a week or so to recover, let the dust settle, and get together and figure out what her next move is. Who her next fight’s gonna be, when her next fight’s gonna be, and when she’s gonna get back into the training cycle.”
Article: 5thRound.com
Carano Unsportsmanlike? Oh, Shut Up
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One beating for Gina Carano was enough. She doesn’t need — or deserve — to be pounded on by cranky bloggers and media types for declining to be interviewed following her loss to Cris “Cyborg” Santos at Saturday night’s Strikeforce event.
Steve Cofield of Yahoo! was among those embittered by not getting to hear from the woman to whom he and the rest of the MMA media had devoted so much ink (so many bytes?) in the buildup to the momentous fight. He didn’t appreciate being left with unanswered questions, such as:
We still don’t know if she was angry that the fight was stopped with one second left in the first round. Or if she felt she was winning the round. Or if she’s planning on coming back soon. Does she want a rematch? Did the pressure get to her? Can she ever beat Cristian “Cyborg” Santos?
Good questions, all. But I’m with Sherdog’s Jake Rossen, who doesn’t see the point in sticking a microphone in front of Carano, Forrest Griffin or any other “freshly mauled” fighter who is “hopped up on adrenaline and choking on their own blood and snot.” Nice image by Jake, who adds:
I’m anxious to hear both Griffin and Carano verbalize their nights, but having some distance and reduction of blood pressure is probably good for a more comprehensible recollection. Being made to stand at attention and reassemble neurons two minutes after a beating isn’t going to result in any motivational speaking offers.
So true. But I have a bigger disagreement with Cofield and others who have suggested that Carano was being unsportsmanlike by not answering to the media. Nonsense. It would have been unsportsmanlike had Carano pulled a Forrest Griffin and not congratulated her conqueror . . . but Gina went right over to Cyborg after the fight and embraced her, then led the applause as referee Josh Rosenthal was raising the winner’s hand. And Cyborg was the only person in the arena to whom Gina Carano owed a thing after the fight. Not the bloggers or reporters. Not Strikeforce or Showtime. Not even the fans watching in San Jose or at home on TV. She’d already paid MMA fans the utmost respect by giving her all for 4:59 of furious fighting.
Thanks to: gina’s #1 fan
Article: thefastertimes.com, Jeff Wagenheim
