Cartlanna Catagóire: women’s MMA

healaíona comhraic measctha, UFC, mban MMA

UFC 185: It’s Showtime!

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Photo Creidmheasa: Joe Camporeale/USA Today Sports

Despite the turmoil experienced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship so far this year, from the failed drug tests of stars like Jon Jones, Anderson Silva and Nick Diaz, to the reshuffling of UFC 184 because of an injury to middleweight champion Chris Weidman, the company has delivered in the Octagon so far this year. Despite Weidman’s injury, UFC 184 was still a smashing success thanks to another dominant performance by women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey.

Now UFC 185 is here, with another stacked card that should entertain once again. This card is anchored by TWO title fights, taking fans back to a time when the UFC would routinely offer stacked fight cards before rapid expansion under their deal with FOX apparently created an oversaturated product.

Here’s who I think emerges victorious on this talent-filled card.

Chris “Kamikaze” Cariaso (17-6) vs. Henry “The Messenger” Cejudo (7-0) (Flyweight – 125 lb..)

Cariaso is coming off a submission loss to flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson last summer. But to be fair, everyone is losing to Johnson these days, and he’s close to cleaning out the flyweight division. Cejudo has yet to experience defeat and enjoyed a unanimous decision victory in his UFC debut late last year.

Cariaso has been a UFC and World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) veteran for the last five years and rode a 3-fight win streak prior to his loss to Johnson. Cejudo is a young pup trying to make a name for himself in the UFC, but Cariaso will use his veteran savvy to catch the overeager fighter for a finish.

Winner: Cariaso by second-round TKO

Roy “Big Country” Nelson (21-10) vs. Alistair “The Reem” Overeem (38-14-1) (Heavyweight – 225 lb..)

I’ll admit up front that I’m not a big Roy Nelson fan. He’s a talented fighter who delivers exciting fights and is an entertaining personality. But ever since he debuted in the UFC and won season 10 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” he feasted on lower-ranked heavyweights like Stefan Struve, Brendan Schaub and Matt Mitrione. But when matched up with elite heavyweights like Fabricio Werdum, Junior Dos Santos and Daniel Cormier (before he dropped to light heavyweight), Nelson was routinely outclassed and battered.

Overeem has also failed to live up to the hype that came with his jump to the UFC. After he demolished Brock Lesnar in 2011, a title shot was in the works against then-champion Junior Dos Santos. But the fight never materialized due to injuries and Overeem suffered back-to-back knockout losses to Antonio Silva and Travis Browne.

Overeem has alternated wins and losses since then but is coming off a first-round knockout of Struve. Nelson was knocked out in his last fight against Mark Hunt, which despite Nelson’s usually iron chin, does not come as a shock, given Hunt’s incredible punching power.
Overeem may not have Hunt’s power, but I think he will batter Nelson for a rather lopsided decision victory. At this stage in his career, Nelson is a gatekeeper. But “The Reem” doesn’t need to prove himself against a brawler like Nelson.

Winner: Overeem by unanimous decision

Johny “Bigg Rigg” Hendricks (16-3) vs. Matt “The Immortal” Brown (21-12) (Welterweight – 170 lb..)

Speaking of brawling and battering, this fight has all the makings of a Fight of the Year candidate. Hendricks dropped the welterweight title to Robbie Lawler last year and should he win this fight, a rematch with Lawler is all but assured – assuming Lawler gets past Rory McDonald later this year.

Brown also lost to Lawler in his last fight and was also on the receiving end of a brutal beating. Hendricks and Brown tend to just slug it out and ask questions later, which should result in an entertaining fight for the fans. Hendricks seems to have renewed his commitment to MMA following his loss to Lawler and he seems driven to get his belt back. Brown is as game as they come, but Hendricks will prove to be too much.

Winner: Hendricks by second-round TKO

Carla “Cookie Monster” Esparza (11-2) vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk (8-0) (Women’s Strawweight Title – 115 lb..)

Esparza made her UFC debut with a bang by winning the first season of “The Ultimate Fighter” to feature all female fighters, and in the process become the UFC’s first women’s strawweight champion. She effectively derailed the Rose Namajunas hype train to win the belt, when some were dubbing Namajunas the next Ronda Rousey in the strawweight division.

Jedrzejczyk derailed a favorite in her own right, defeating highly regarded Claudia Gadelha last year by a close decision when many thought Gadelha would be Esparza’s first title defense. Jedrzejczyk is a grinder who thrives in an ugly fight in close quarters. Esparza used her wrestling to neutralize Namajunas’ quick-striking offense, so getting into an ugly fight with Jedrzejczyk shouldn’t faze Esparza one bit. Esparza will take Jedrzejczyk down early and often and ride her wrestling to a decision victory.

Winner: Esparza by unanimous decision

Anthony “Showtime” Pettis (18-2) vs. Rafael Dos Anjos (23-7) (Lightweight Title – 155 lb..)

Pettis has been absolutely dominant as of late, not only winning the lightweight title from Benson Henderson in quick and exciting fashion with a first-round armbar but routinely displaying his amazing athleticism and using it to quickly shoot himself up the best pound-for-pound fighter list.

But Dos Anjos is not to be taken lightly. He too finished Henderson in the first round and earned his title shot by absolutely dismantling Nate Diaz late last year. Dos Anjos is tough and will know that Pettis is looking for a quick finish. He won’t get it, but Pettis’ freakish athleticism will make its presence felt eventually and overcome Dos Anjos and solidify Pettis’ case as one of the best lightweight fighters of all time.

Winner: Pettis by second-round submission

Chris Huntemann writes about mixed martial arts in the state of Maryland. He also shares his thoughts on the UFC, Bellator, and World Series of Fighting. Check out his blog, or follow him on Twitter: @mmamaryland.

Bellator, healaíona comhraic measctha, Spike TV, mban MMA

Bellator MMA continues to grow women’s featherweight roster with Roberta “Crusher” Paim, Alexis “Sneaky séabra” Dufresne agus Iona Razafiarison

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SANTA MONICA, Calif. (Márta 12, 2015) – Bellator MMA tiomanta a fhorbairt roinn featherweight na mban is fearr i healaíona comhraic measctha, and the latest additions to the company’s roster include Roberta “Crusher” Paim (4-0), Alexis “Sneaky séabra” Dufresne (5-2) agus Iona Razafiarison (2-0).

 

Beidh dátaí tús agus opponents a fhógairt do na trí trodaithe go luath amach anseo.

Paim, Dufresne agus Razafiarison Member Arlene “Angerfist” Blencowe (5-4), Julia “An Jewell” Sochar (7-2),Marloes “Rumina” Coenen (22-6), Cuileann “Lil Bear” Lawson (0-1) agus Talita “Tríú” Walnut (6-0) ar na mban Bellator MMA ar uainchlár featherweight.

“Táimid bródúil as a bheith ag tabhairt na trí lúthchleasaithe cumasach ar ár mban roinn featherweight,” Dúirt Bellator tUachtarán Scott Coker. “I see several potential matchups that would make for some great fights. We will continue to build and support the premiere women’s featherweight division in MMA.”

Is as Rio Grande Sul, Bhrasaíl, an 5-chos-6 Paim é undefeated trí na chéad cheithre comórtais a shaol gairmiúil. Cé go compordach sa chluiche aighneacht, an Paim cumhachtach d'úsáid cluiche láidir buailte le troideanna deireadh, chomh maith. Troid heisiach ina tír dhúchais go dtí seo, Tá a aimsiú chéile comhraic amháin ann seasamh thar an babhta oscailte go fóill Paim, mar tá sí bailchríocha chéad bhaile-bhabhta a glacadh i ngach cuid láithrithe go dtí seo.

Tá an Dufresne 24-bliain d'aois Foireann rompu Trodaire agus cúig-am Brasaíle Jiu-Jitsu Cónaidhm Idirnáisiúnta domhain curadh. Dufresne iompaigh sí aird ar na healaíona comhraic measctha i 2012 agus rattled amach cúig Bhuaigh i ndiaidh a chéile chun tús a gairme – na cúig torthaí ag teacht in oscailt bhabhta agus meánú díreach faoi 77 soicind ar fhad. Níos déanaí, Dufresne thit le péire de chinntí crua-throid agus a dhéanamh a reáchtáil ag 135 punt ach tuairisceáin anois ina rang meáchan níos nádúrtha 145 punt as a céad Bellator MMA.

Is Razafiarison a onnmhairiú na Fraince a bhfuil victories notched ina chéad dhá comórtais gairmiúla. An Razafiarison 30-bliain d'aois, speisialtóir grappling a bhfuil oiliúint i gcampaí ar fud an domhain, throid is déanaí i mí Eanáir, nuair thuill sí bua cinneadh thar Sandra Ameziane. Ina tús gairmiúla, Scór Razafiarison aighneacht chéad bhabhta.

 

Maidir Bellator MMA

Is Bellator MMA eagraíocht le rá Measctha Martial Arts featuring go leor de na trodaithe is fearr sa domhan. Faoi stiúir an veteran tionscnóir troid i Scott Coker, Is Bellator ar fáil do beagnach 400 milliún tithe ar fud an domhain i níos mó ná 120 tíortha. Sna Stáit Aontaithe, Is féidir Bellator le feiceáil ar an teilifís Spike, an ceannaire teilifíse MMA. Bellator MMA comhdhéanta d'fhoireann feidhmiúcháin go n-áirítear daoine gairmiúla tionscal is fearr i dtáirgeadh teilifíse, orchestration ócáid ​​beo, Forbairt Trodaire / Caidreamh, soláthar ionad, cruthú urraíochta / forbairt, ceadúnú idirnáisiúnta, margaíochta, fógraíocht, caidreamh poiblíochta agus coimisiún. Bellator lonnaithe i Santa Monica, California agus úinéireacht ag fathach siamsaíochta Viacom, baile chun an domhain brandaí premier siamsaíochta a nascadh le lucht féachana tríd an ábhar láidre ar fud an teilifís, pictiúr reatha, ardáin ar líne agus soghluaiste.

 

Maidir Spike TV:

Spike TV ar fáil i 98.7 milliún tithe agus is rannán de Viacom Líonraí Meáin. Aonad Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), Tá Viacom Líonraí Meáin cheann de na domhan na príomhchúiseanna le creators clár agus ábhar ar fud gach ardán meáin. Tá Spike teilifíse seoladh idirlín www.spike.com agus ar feadh suas-chun-an-nóiméad agus eolas preasa cartlainne agus grianghraif, tabhair cuairt ar láithreán preas Spike teilifíse ag http://www.spike.com/press. Lean muid ar Twitter spiketvpr don dhéanaí i briseadh nuashonruithe nuachta, taobh thiar-na pictiúir-eolas agus grianghraif.
healaíona comhraic measctha, UFC, mban MMA

Ronda Rousey- The Cleaner

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Photo Creidmheasa: Esther Lin/MMA Fighting

Given that it’s tax season, it’s a good time to remember that are there three guarantees in life: death, taxes and Ronda Rousey once again showing why she is the best female fighter on the planet with a first-round demolition of her opponent.

Rousey’s performance at UFC 184 last month was her finest to date. She submitted Cat Zingano, widely regarded as Rousey’s biggest challenge, i 14 soicind. While Rousey was aided by an absolutely horrible strategy by Zingano, her virtuoso performance led to another discussion of who has what it takes to dethrone Rousey. It also led to a ridiculous conversation of whether or not Rousey could compete against and defeat male fighters in the UFC’s bantamweight division. The less time spent on that absurd notion that accomplishes nothing but trying to discredit the great fighter Rousey is, the better.

Ar ndóigh, the first name that always comes up is Cris “Cyborg” Justino, the Invicta FC featherweight champion. She is expected to drop to 135 pounds for a fight with Invicta this summer before moving on to a fight with Rousey. Mar sin féin, Cyborg attempted a drop to bantamweight last year and abandoned those plans. So I wouldn’t hold my breath on the long-awaited grudge match between Rousey and Cyborg happening anytime soon.

Rousey recently expressed a desire to fight Bethe Correia, who battered two of Rousey’s “Four Horsewomen” teammates and has been calling Rousey out ever since. Jessica Eye has also staked her claim to a title shot, but neither of these women pose a real threat to Rousey. During UFC 184’s postfight coverage, Daniel Cormier floated the idea of his colleague Miesha Tate getting a third crack at Rousey.

Besides the fact I think trilogies should be reserved only when each fighter has a victory over the other, I see no reason why third time would be a charm for Tate. While she is the only woman to go further than the first round with Rousey, Tate has plateaued as a fighter while Rousey has gotten better. If the two were to fight a third time, I see no reason to believe the result would be any different.

So where does this leave Rousey? I mo thuairim, she has cleaned out the UFC women’s bantamweight division. There is no one who poses a credible threat to her. If Zingano adjusted her strategy and received another shot at Rousey, she might have a chance of winning. Beyond that, if Rousey decided to go out on top and build on her burgeoning film career, I don’t think anyone would hold it against her.

Rousey is currently on a run akin to Anderson Silva’s run atop the UFC’s middleweight division. He dominated everyone in his path and except for his first fight with Chael Sonnen, made it look easy. Rousey’s hardest fight to date was against Liz Carmouche, when she had Rousey in a rear naked choke in the first round of their fight in 2013 before Rousey was able to escape and secure another armbar victory.

Silva’s reign atop the middleweight division came to an end when the previously unknown Chris Weidman came along and showed no fear and took the fight to Silva. Maybe that’s what needs to happen with Rousey. Riachtanais sí a aimsiú chéile comhraic a fháil ceart ina aghaidh, thabhairt di aon ceathrú agus an comhrac a ghlacadh chun í. Snáthaide a rinne iarracht ag UFC 184, ach a overzealousness dar críoch suas a chosnaíonn sí daor.

Go dtí go bhfaighidh Rousey di féin Chris WEIDMAN, is féidir linn a chur Sárchéimneach eile leis an lán atá ag gabháil cheana féin leis na mban curadh bantamweight: níos glaine. Tá Rousey as úr de challengers fiú ar a choróin, tasc i gcrích aici ag glanadh amach a roinn.

Chris Huntemann writes about mixed martial arts in the state of Maryland. He also shares his thoughts on the UFC, Bellator, and World Series of Fighting. Check out his blog, or follow him on Twitter: @mmamaryland.

Amaitéarach MMA, healaíona comhraic measctha, Troideanna Sasana Nua, mban MMA

MAINE CHÉAD lánúin AN Cage NEF MMA

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Randi Beth Knowles and Bruce Boyington

Lewiston, Maine (Márta 5, 2015) - Troideanna Sasana Nua (NEF), Meiriceá uimhir a haon a chur chun cinn gcomhrac réigiúnach, ar ais go dtí an Colisee Androscoggin Bank i Lewiston, Maine ar Aibreán 11, 2015 lena seachtú measctha-martial-ealaíon (MMA) imeacht. The fight card will feature Bruce “Boy Pretty” Boyington (10-7) ag cosaint an Teideal Lightweight NEF MMA gcoinne uimhir a haon contender Jamie Harrison (5-1) i gcás is mó. Chomh maith leis sin, Bhean chéile Boyington s, Randi Beth Knowles (0-0), beidh a dhéanamh ar a tús MMA amaitéarach aghaidh Alex Walker (0-0) in the female 115-pound strawweight division. It will be the first time a couple has competed together on an NEF fight card.

 

Knowles Tá oiliúint faoi láthair faoi a fear céile ag Taekwondo Acadamh Boyington agus MMA Óga i mBeannchar, Maine. A regular at bodybuilding and fitness competitions across the region, Knowles is no stranger to performing before large audiences. She has been cage-side for many of Boyington’s past bouts, agus fáilte roimh sí an dúshlán a thagann nuair a fhaigheann sí í féin ar an taobh eile den bhalla Cage ar Aibreán 11.

 

“Tar éis breathnú ar an oiread sin de na troideanna Bruce, Ní raibh mé in ann a bheith níos mó excited a blas a fháil ar cad é mar ar an taobh istigh den Cage,” Exclaimed Knowles. “Tá mé i gcónaí a thaitin á thástáil leis na dúshláin misniúla agus is féidir. I thank NEF for bringing women’s MMA to Maine as well as big thank you to Portland Nutrition Corner, Abbott Insliú Plus, Lewis Úsáidte Díolacháin Car, Is ea & Toby as a gcuid tacaíochta go léir.”

 

Knowles’ comhraic, Alex Walker, is not to be taken lightly. Walker trains out of the Kaze Dojo in Lancaster, New Hampshire. Coming in from out-of-town for the fight, Walker aoibhinn i seinm ar an ról atá ag underdog agus tá súil a imirt freisin ar ról na spoiler ar Aibreán 11.

 

“Thiocfaidh mé ó bhaile 2,500 daoine,” Said Walker. “Aon duine ag súil dom a dhéanamh go maith. Níl aon duine ag súil riamh ár bhfoireann a bheith in ann a chrochadh le gyms níos mó. Is maith liom é nuair a underestimate daoine orainn, spreagann sé dom.”

Seo chugainn imeacht MMA NEF ar, “NEF XVII,” sceidealta le bheith ar siúl arAibreán 11, 2015 ag an Colisee Androscoggin Bank i Lewiston, Maine. Bruce “Boy Pretty” Boyington (10-7) Beidh chosaint ar an Teideal Lightweight NEF MMA gcoinne uimhir a haon contender Jamie Harrison (5-1). Chomh maith leis sin, Jarod “Nóiméad Last” Lawton (4-1) Buaileann Dennis Olson (12-7) i gcomórtas welterweight. Ticéid le haghaidh “NEF XVII” tosú ag díreach $25 agus tá siad ar díol anois ag www.TheColisee.com nó trí ghlaoch ar an oifig bhosca Colisee ag 207.783.2009 x 525. Le haghaidh tuilleadh eolais ar na nuashonruithe cárta ócáid ​​agus troid, tabhair cuairt ar láithreán gréasáin a chur chun cinn ag www.NewEnglandFights.com. Chomh maith leis sin, Is féidir leat féachaint ar na físeáin NEF ag www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, iad a leanúint ar Twitternefights agus páirt a ghlacadh sa ghrúpa Facebook oifigiúil "Sasana Nua troideanna."

 

Maidir troideanna Sasana Nua

 

Troideanna Sasana Nua ("NEF") Is troid imeachtaí chun cinn cuideachta. Is é misean NEF a chruthú ar na himeachtaí chaighdeán is airde do trodaithe Maine agus lucht leanúna araon. Tá foireann feidhmiúcháin NEF taithí fhairsing i mbainistíocht spóirt a chomhrac, tháirgeadh Imeachtaí, caidreamh leis na meáin, margaíochta, dlí agus fógraíocht.

Amaitéarach MMA, healaíona comhraic measctha, Troideanna Sasana Nua, mban MMA

STAIR A DHÉANAMH Aibreán 11 LE FIGHT BAN OCP CHÉAD'S IN MAINE

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Lewiston, Maine (Feabhra 25, 2015) - Troideanna Sasana Nua (NEF), Meiriceá uimhir a haon a chur chun cinn gcomhrac réigiúnach, ar ais go dtí an Colisee Androscoggin Bank i Lewiston, Maine ar Aibreán 11, 2015 lena seachtú measctha-martial-ealaíon (MMA) imeacht. Níos luaithe inniu, the company announced the addition of a professional female strawweight bout to the fight card. Kaline “An Angel Dark” Medeiros (3-4) shínigh aghaidh Calie “An Broc Mil” Cutler (3-0) at a fight weight of 115-pounds. It will be the first professional women’s fight in Maine since the state legislature legalized the sport of MMA in 2009.

 

“Tá sé i ndáiríre brónach go bhfuil sé glactha seo fada,” said NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo. “We’re huge fans of women’s MMA in NEF. We’ve tried numerous times to put pro women’s fights together, but they’ve always fallen through. History will finally be made on Aibreán 11 agus, arís, NEF is at the forefront. We hope the fans will come out and support this fight, support women’s MMA. This is a very proud moment for everyone involved. It is a step in the right direction for MMA in Maine.”

 

This will not be the first time Kaline Medeiros has made history in the cage. I 2013, Medeiros Throid i, agus bhuaigh, the first-ever women’s MMA bout to be contested in Rhode Island. Fighting out of Fall River, Massachusetts, Medeiros is a native of Brazil and has been training in MMA since 2008. Having faced top female competitors since arriving in the professional ranks, mar Invicta FC veterans Peggy Morgan sórt (3-2) agus Stephanie Eggink (4-2), a leag sí amach i díreach seacht-soicind, Tá Medeiros cinnte an taithí agus pedigree a fháil chun an chéad leibhéal eile sa spórt.

 

“Tá sé an pléisiúr a cuireadh gach mo lucht leanúna do mo troda teacht arAibreán 11,” said Medeiros. “NEF is bringing me to be the first ever professional female fighter stepping in the cage, tá sé an onóir dom. Go raibh maith agat NEF d'aitheantas, agus ní féidir liom fanacht a thabhairt ar gcomhrac spreagúil do lucht leanúna.”

Michigan’s Calie Cutler has raised a lot of eyebrows since making her MMA debut in 2012. Cutler amassed an impressive 7-1 record as an amateur prior to turning pro. She has finished all three of her opponents as a professional, lena n-áirítear bua aighneacht an dara babhta-os cionn Nikki Duncan (0-1) last weekend on a fight card in Michigan. Cutler will look to continue her undefeated streak as a professional on her path towards the big leagues of the sport when she meets Kaline Medeiros on Aibreán 11 i Lewiston.

Seo chugainn imeacht MMA NEF ar, “NEF XVII,” sceidealta le bheith ar siúl ar Aibreán 11, 2015 ag an Colisee Androscoggin Bank i Lewiston, Maine. Bruce “Boy Pretty” Boyington (10-7) Beidh chosaint ar an Teideal Lightweight NEF MMA gcoinne uimhir a haon contender Jamie Harrison (5-1). Chomh maith leis sin, Jarod “Nóiméad Last” Lawton (4-1) Buaileann Dennis Olson (12-7) i gcomórtas welterweight. Ticéid le haghaidh “NEF XVII” tosú ag díreach $25 agus tá siad ar díol anois agwww.TheColisee.com nó trí ghlaoch ar an oifig bhosca Colisee ag207.783.2009 x 525. Le haghaidh tuilleadh eolais ar na nuashonruithe cárta ócáid ​​agus troid, tabhair cuairt ar láithreán gréasáin a chur chun cinn ag www.NewEnglandFights.com. Chomh maith leis sin, Is féidir leat féachaint ar na físeáin NEF ag www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, iad a leanúint ar Twitternefights agus páirt a ghlacadh sa ghrúpa Facebook oifigiúil "Sasana Nua troideanna."

 

Maidir troideanna Sasana Nua

 

Troideanna Sasana Nua ("NEF") Is troid imeachtaí chun cinn cuideachta. Is é misean NEF a chruthú ar na himeachtaí chaighdeán is airde do trodaithe Maine agus lucht leanúna araon. Tá foireann feidhmiúcháin NEF taithí fhairsing i mbainistíocht spóirt a chomhrac, tháirgeadh Imeachtaí, caidreamh leis na meáin, margaíochta, dlí agus fógraíocht.

healaíona comhraic measctha, UFC, mban MMA

Dana White and the Women

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Photo Creidmheasa: Esther Lin/MMA Fighting

Dé Sathairn, Feabhra. 28, is going to be a landmark day for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. All the fighters on the pay-per-view card that day will pass their pre-fight drug…….never mind. That’s too easy.

That day will be the first time a UFC card features women’s bouts in both its co-main event and main event. After middleweight champion Chris Weidman was forced to withdraw from his fight against Vitor Belfort due to injury, the new main event at UFC 184 is Ronda Rousey defending her women’s bantamweight belt against Cat Zingano. I gcás comh-is mó, much-heralded prospect Holly Holm will make her UFC debut against Raquel Pennington in another women’s bantamweight fight.

As I’ve mentioned before, UFC has come a long way from when Dana White told TMZ that women would “never” fight in his organization. Rousey will main event her third consecutive February PPV and Holm is widely believed to be the next in line for a shot at the title, should she defeat Pennington. Holm is still very raw in mixed martial arts, but trains with the world renowned coaches Greg Jackson and Mike Winkeljohn.

Rousey is carrying the flag for women’s MMA and for women in the UFC. Other female fighters have followed her into the Octagon, including Miesha Tate, Liz Carmouche and Alexis Davis. What do those three have in common? They all also fell to Rousey – Tate twice in Strikeforce and the UFC, and Carmouche and Davis both in the first round at UFC PPVs in 2013 agus 2014, faoi ​​seach.

Rousey and Tate’s feud is well-chronicled. It led to the two being coaches on The Ultimate Fighter, which included female fighters for the very first time who greatly outshined their male counterparts on the show that season.

Given that season’s success, the most recent season of The Ultimate Fighter featured ALL female fighters and the debut of the UFC’s newest division, women’s strawweight. Carla Esparza, the former Invicta FC strawweight champion, won the inaugural UFC version of that belt after defeating Rose Namajunas.

So in the span of four years, UFC goes from having no female fighters and White emphatically stating that it never will, to being home to TWO female weight classes and undoubtedly the promotion’s biggest star right now in Rousey. Don’t believe me? Did you see the third Expendables movie? Or do you plan on seeing the film version of Entourage this summer? You might notice a familiar face.

So where does women’s MMA go from here? I am personally a big fan of female fights, as they tend to be among the more entertaining and action-packed fights on a UFC card. As I previously stated, female fighters are more than capable of outshining their male contemporaries. Why is that? Maybe female fighters feel they have more to prove inside the Octagon and always go for broke. Maybe they go into the Octagon with more of a “go for broke” mentality and actively seek a finish as opposed to “playing it safe.”

The fight between Rousey and Zingano on Feb. 28 will also go a long way toward determining the future of women’s MMA. Should Rousey defeat Zingano – which all signs indicate she will – she will have essentially cleaned out her division, with only unknown challengers like Holm and Bethe Correia left. If Zingano pulls the upset, then the division has a fresh batch of exciting matchups waiting.

But who knows what would have happened if Dana White kept his promise to TMZ?

Chris Huntemann writes about mixed martial arts in the state of Maryland. He also contributes his thoughts to our site on the UFC, Bellator, and World Series of Fighting. Check out his blog, or follow him on Twitter: @mmamaryland.

Fox Spóirt 1, healaíona comhraic measctha, UFC, mban MMA

UFC 183: Who will show up?

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Photo Creidmheasa: UFC

The Ultimate Fighting Championship has hit it out of the park so far in 2015, with its first two major cards of the year living up to the hype of their main events. Light heavyweight champion Jon Jones dominated Daniel Cormier to prove he is the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world at UFC 182, and at the UFC’s live card in Boston, Aifreann., i mí Eanáir, Conor McGregor secured a featherweight title shot against José Aldo and wasted no time getting in his next opponent’s face.

Which brings us to UFC 183 anocht, and a main event that is considered a dream matchup by many. Anderson Silva returns to the Octagon after suffering a gruesome leg injury in his last fight against UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman in 2013. Nick Diaz also makes his return to the UFC after losing his last fight against former welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre in 2013.

Tonight’s card isn’t without its other storylines though. A pair of significant undercard fights are taking place under some controversy, as flyweight John Lineker came in overweight for his fight against Ian McCall, which is expected to determine the next no. 1 contender to the flyweight title. I gcás comh-is mó, Kelvin Gastelum came in 9 pounds overweight for his fight against Tyron Woodley, which means 30 percent of Gastelum’s fight purse actually goes to Woodley. Talk about insult to injury.

Ar ndóigh, there is always the wild card with Diaz too. He plays by his own rules, having no-showed the open workouts earlier this week. Will he actually show up to the cage for tonight’s main event? It remains to be seen, though most everyone thinks he will.

Mar sin,, having said all that, who do I think wins tonight?

Miesha “Cupcake” Tate (15-5) vs. Sara McMann (8-1) (Women’s bantamweight – 135 lb..)

This is actually the main event of the preliminary card on Fox Sports 1. Tate requested to compete on this portion of the card instead of the pay-per-view card, taking a page from Urijah Faber’s playbook. Tate is also eager for a third fight with Ronda Rousey for the women’s bantamweight title. Both of these women suffered Rousey’s wrath, particularly McMann, who was demolished by Rousey in about a minute last year.

McMann is a pure wrestler with very little else to her repertoire, whereas Tate built on her established wrestling skills to become an effective striker. I think she will stuff McMann’s attempts to take this fight to the mat and use her vastly superior striking skills to keep McMann befuddled en route to a dominant victory.

Winner: Tate by unanimous decision

Jordan “Young Gun” Mein (29-9) vs. Thiago “Pitbull” Alves (25-9) (Welterweight – 170 lb..)

Alves has alternated wins and losses in his last six fights, while Mein rides a two-fight win streak. Alves is always dangerous with his Muay Thai and striking, while Mein landed a first-round TKO victory in his last fight. This should be an exciting stand-up battle with neither guy willing to give an inch. I think Alves is the more dangerous fighter here, and will land one good shot to knock Mein silly.

Winner: Alves by second round TKO

Thales Leites (24-4) vs. Tim “The Barbarian” Boetsch (18-7) (Middleweight – 185 lb..)

Leites comes into this fight on a roll, having won his last seven fights, with the last two coming by way of TKO. Boetsch has alternated wins and losses in his last four fights, including a TKO victory in his last fight against Brad Tavares.

Boetsch is a slow, plodding bruiser best known for derailing the Hector Lombard hype train when he first made his UFC debut. Leites is a crafty, dangerous fighter who can finish you with his hands or by submission. I think Leites will avoid Boetsch’s power and wait for Boetsch to make a mistake, where Leits will capitalize.

Winner: Leites by third round submission

Joe Lauzon (24-10) vs. Al “Raging” Iaquinta (10-3-1) (Lightweight – 155 lb..)

You know what you’re getting with a Joe Lauzon fight. You’re going to see an exciting, action packed bout that will most likely end with him locking in a slick submission or, in the case of his fight against Jim Miller, suffering a gnarly cut that will guarantee a blood battle.

Iaquinta has been on a roll since his time on The Ultimate Fighter Live, having only lost once in his last six fights. A win against Lauzon would be a real feather in his cap and might propel him into title contendership discussion. But Lauzon is one of the best submission specialists in the UFC, and I think the crafty veteran has another submission up his sleeve.

Winner: Lauzon by second round submission

Tyron “The Chosen One” Woodley (14-3) vs. Kelvin Gastelum (11-0) (Welterweight – 170 lb..)

As mentioned above, Gastelum weighed in 9 pounds over for this fight and will forfeit 30 percent of his purse directly to Woodley. It was reported that Gastelum spent time in the hospital leading up to this fight, which contributed to him coming in overweight.

Woodley will be angry in this fight, and rightly so. It’s not fair that his opponent will have a weight advantage due to his own failure to do what he was supposed to do. Give Woodley credit for wanting to keep fighting when it would have been perfectly understandable to postpone it.

Woodley will channel his rage into a blitzkrieg of offense at Gastelum, and the lethargic and probably still-injured Gastelum will have no response.

Winner: Woodley by second round TKO

Anderson "An Spider" Silva (33-6) vs. Nick Diaz (27-9-1) (Middleweight – 185 lb..)

This is one of the several main events that have fight fans buzzing in 2015. Many didn’t think Silva would ever walk again after his leg injury against Weidman, let alone come back to the UFC to fight. The matchup style of Diaz wanting to push the pace, get in his opponent’s face and sucker him into trading blows against Silva’s unrivaled elusiveness will be interesting to watch.

Diaz said he wouldn’t trash talk Silva during this fight out of respect. But if Silva keeps bobbing and weaving and dodging Diaz’s punches, we’ll see how long Diaz commits to that. I think we’ll see vintage Silva in this fight, making Diaz look silly in some spots while landing well-timed strikes that will confuse and frustrate Diaz, which will allow Silva to land even more.

Diaz is too tough to finish, but this fight will show that Silva still has it and is the vastly superior fighter.

Winner: Silva by unanimous decision

Chris Huntemann writes about mixed martial arts in the state of Maryland. He also contributes his thoughts to our site on the UFC, Bellator, and World Series of Fighting. Check out his blog, or follow him on Twitter: @mmamaryland.