First of all: Cyborg and another fight-less year
So the women's 145-lb Strikeforce champ Cris "Cyborg" Santos was caught for using anabolic steroids. The CSAC suspended her on Friday. Despite a lot of speculation, this is the first time she has tested positive for steroids. She has been suspended for a year, fined $2,500, and the Cyborg vs Yamanaka fight has been changed to "no decision." I wonder what effects this will have on the future of the Strikeforce women's 145 lb division and on WMMA as a whole. And, to be frank, I'm irked.
I believe that she would still be an awesome fighter without the extra juice. Her training with Chute Box, aggression, and love of the fight would still be there, steroids or not. I think the only difference between Cyborg juiced up and natural Cyborg would be the time it takes for a KO - and, after all, exciting fights don't have to last only one round. I'm baffled why she or Chute Box felt the need for it.
I've made no secret I'm a fan of Cyborg's effectively aggressive fighting style and still want to base alot of my fighting style around hers. BUT I am more than a little peeved about this, especially because I am worried how Dana White and Zuffa will react to the situation. They're certainly not happy about it and it doesn't paint a good light on women's MMA, or at least Strikeforce's 145 division. Cyborg was one of the reasons Strikeforce could continue with women's MMA; so what now?
Next up: Ronda Rousey and 135 lbs
Ronda Rousey has a reputation for being boisterous, but I can see why she's doing her thing. Women's MMA can always use more publicity, and to be honest, I think alot of Rousey's swagger and smack-talk is a stratagem to this end. She's expressed her interest in elevating the publicity level of women in MMA, and I agree with that sentiment - I think all fans can agree with that sentiment. I do worry, though, if she will take it too far - bring too much drama in, or inadvertently turn all of the publicity onto herself.
That being said, Rousey is dropping to the 135 lb division and going straight for Miesha Tate, who holds the title in that division.
I have a few misgivings about this decision. I don't think she has the experience to take on the division champ, nor do I think that going right for the title will bring in the optimal amount of publicity that Rousey is always so keen about.
While Rousey has an impressive resume and should fight just fine at 135 lbs, she only has 138 total seconds of professional MMA experience. None of these fights have gone past the first round, and she has only fought four times. She has not officially proven to anyone that she can last in a longer MMA fight. If a good stand-up fighter keeps Rousey from going to the ground, I'm not sure she has the experience to know how to continue past the first round.
I think that moving her way through the 135lb division will, in the end, stir up more publicity, at least for Rousey. She'll have plenty of time to get in smack-talk before the big fight, and while it won't be nearly as glitzy as the current scenario, I think it would be overall beneficial. I also think its just the right way to do it - although Miesha could use a challenger, Rousey needs to prove herself in the division first.
Finally: Gina Carano and Haywire
Carano, considered the be the "face of women's MMA" before she lost to Cyborg, has been working on the film Haywire for the past year. Its U.S. release will be on January 20, 2012. I don't think it is going to be released anywhere else. She has the lead role. Check out the IMDB.
I'm a fan of Carano overall, probably more a fan of her than Cyborg, but she has not been in a fight since her loss to Cyborg. After that, she had been dogged by difficulties in making weight and mysterious health concerns right before scheduled fights, and then there was Haywire. I want to see her back in the cage, but I wonder if she can honestly return or not.
As for the movie, her real-life skill in fighting will probable make the action and fight scenes quite believable and fun, but after seeing the previews… well just sayin', I expect a B-flick.
I am hoping beyond all hope that Carano gets back in the cage and does well. Just because you lost to Cyborg doesn't mean you're a bad fighter - now that she's suspended, maybe you can stir up some fun in the 145 lb division, eh? And hey, it'll probably be some good publicity for women's MMA.
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So, that's the newest buzz in WMMA. Btubs, the Tate vs Rousey fight is so far scheduled for March and as usual will be on Showtime.
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