(George Galanis is a freelance writer, MMA fan and BPL contributor.)
Increasingly during the modern era, women are stepping onto stages once dominated by men. The world of sports is no exception. A few extraordinary women have made recent footprints throughout the sporting world. Those footprints have not only brought these female athletes to the forefront, but they have also paved the way for the female athletes of tomorrow. Mixed martial arts is just the latest sport to experience the revolution of the female athlete.
Athletes of the female variety in all sports have had a harder time compared to their male counterparts when it comes to gaining respect and recognition for their work — women continue to be objectified and treated as lesser than their male counterparts in every sport. In the world of MMA, this fact hits even harder due to the already low salaries and lack of mainstream respect and understanding that all fighters face. That said; there have been positive changes in recent years. Both Bellator and Strikeforce have women’s tournaments, and Strikeforce is home to stars like Gina Carano, Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos, Marloes Coenen and Miesha Tate, but this is still not enough.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Becky Lewis defeats Priscilla White
On Saturday January, 29 at Ax Fighting Championships in Edmunds, Washington.
Becky Lewis defeated Priscilla White by TKO in the second round of their 155-pound amateur MMA match.
Becky trains at trains at Charlies Combat Club in Everett, Washington.
Jamie Gonzales-Najera defeats Brittany Marden-Otis
On Saturday January, 29 at Ax Fighting Championships in Edmunds, Washington.
Jamie Gonzales-Najera (1-0-0) defeated Brittany Marden-Otis (0-1-0) by TKO in the first round of their 140-pound amateur MMA match.
Jaime trains at Charlies Combat Club in Everett, Washington.
Heather Sachleben defeats Nayleen Schmidt
On Saturday January, 29 at Full Force Fighting in Denver, Colorado
Heather Sachleben (2-1-0) defeated Nayleen Schmidt (1-2-0)
Heather trains at MMA Premier Fitness in Centennial, Colorado she is coached by Thomas "The Wildman" Denny.
Reagen Benedetti defeats Amy Cadwell
On Saturday January, 29 at Ax Fighting Championships in Edmunds, Washington.
#25 ranked 125-pound fighter Reagen Benedetti (2-0-0) defeated Amy Cadwell (3-1-0) by decision in a 120-pound Championship amateur MMA match.
Reagen trains at Alderwood Mixed Martial Arts in Lynwood, Washington under "Team Wise" She is coached by coach is Aric Wiseman.
Reagen trains at Alderwood Mixed Martial Arts in Lynwood, Washington under "Team Wise" She is coached by coach is Aric Wiseman.
Lacie Jackson defeats Kathryn Sweeton II
On Saturday January. 29 atCage Domination XVII in Camden Tennessee at the National Guard Armory
#2 ranked 155-pound fighter Lacie Jackson (9-2-0) defeated Kathryn Sweeton (0-2-0) by TKO in the first round of their 155-pound Championship amateur MMA match.
This is a rematch of a fight that took place 2 weeks ago that also resulted in Lacie winning by TKO in the first round.
Before these two matches against Kahryn Lacie defeated Crystal Bentley by submission on December 18th.
Before these two matches against Kahryn Lacie defeated Crystal Bentley by submission on December 18th.
Lacie lives and trains in Jackson, Tennessee where she is coached by her father Johnny Jackson.
Jocelyn Lyarger defeats Diana Fowles
On Saturday January, 29 at Rage In The Cage in Phoenix, Arizona
#13 ranked 115-pound fighter Jocelyn Lybarger (3-0-0) defeated Diana Fowles (0-1-0) by TKO in the first round of their 130-pound amateur MMA match.
In her last fight Jocelyn defeated Kathryn Davis (1-1-0) by unanimous decision
Jocelyn is the twin sister of Jillian Lybarger. Jocelyn trains at L.A. Boxing in Irvine, California where she is coached by Jeff Morgan.
Jocelyn and her sister are both proud members of "The 5 Star Fight Wear Team."
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Ronni Lawrence defeats Kaliah Bakar
On Saturday January, 15th at Cage of Champions in Sullivan, Missouri
#20 ranked 125-pound fighter Ronni Lawrence (3-2-0) defeated #21 ranked 125-pound fighter Kaliah Bakar (4-6-0) by TKO (ref stoppage) in the second round of their 120-pound amateur MMA match.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Tamikka Brents defeats Jennifer Martin
On Saturday January 21 at Freedom Fight Series in Springfield, Illinois
#1 ranked 155-pound fighter Tamikka Brents (8-0-1) defeated Jennifer Martin (1-5-0) by TKO (ref stoppage) in the first round of their 150-pound amateur MMA match.
Tamikka who trains at Warrior Concepts in Illinois has yet to face defeat.
In her last fight she defeated Tori Adams by split decision.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Sarah Lagerstrom defeats Jennifer Lenius
On Satyrday January, 22 at Spokane Showdown in Spokane, Washington.
#13 ranked 105-pound fighter Sarah Lagerstrom defeated Jennifer Lenius (0-1-0) by KO (superwoman punch) in the first round of their 110-pound amateur MMA match.
Sarah Lagerstrom trains at TKO Fighting Arts in Spokane, Washington where she is coached by Dwayne Cook.
In her last fight on November 24th she defeated Serena King by TKO.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Ediane Gomes Heroes defeats Marissa Caldwell
On Saturday January, 22 at World Extreme Fighting in Jacksonville, Florida
#6 ranked 145-pound fighter Ediane Gomes Heroes (6-1-0) defeated Marissa "Shorty" Caldwell (2-4-0) by submission (armbar) in the first round of their 145-pound professional match.
The only loss of Ediane's career was in her last fight against #4 ranked 145-pound fighter Amanda Nunes.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Ashley Nee defeats Linda Cunningham
On Friday January, 21 at Black Eye Entertainment: "Concussion" in Asheville, North Carolina
Ashley "No Limit" Nee (1-1-0) defeated Linda Cunningham (0-5-0) by submission (rear-naked choke) in the first round of their135-pound professional MMA match.
Ashley who fights out of Charlotte, North Carolina gained the first victory of her professional MMA career, after having lost her first fight to Melissa Bopp in October of 2010.
Ashley Villasana defeats Deiree Barela
On Friday January, 21 at RMBB "Bad Girlz Gone Wild" in Sheridan, Colorado
Ashley Villasana (1-0-0) defeated Deiree Barela (0-1-0) by submission (guillotine choke) in the third round of their 135-pound amateur MMA match.
Ashley lives in Federal Height, Colorado and trains with Rocky Mountain Bad Boyz where she is coached by Mike Silva.
Raquel Pennington defeats J.J. Aldrich
On Friday January, 21 at RMBB "Bad Girlz Gone Wild" in Sheridan, Colorado
#2 ranked 135-pound fighter Raquel Pennington (6-1-0) defeated #22 ranked 135-pound fighter J.J. Pennington (2-1-0) by submission (strikes) in the first round of their 135-pound amateur MMA Championship match
Raquel lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado and trains with Kongo Do Fight Team where she is coached by Chuck Daly.
Her only loss was to #1 ranked 135-pound fighter Taylor Stratford.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Lacey Schuckman defeats Diana Rael
On Friday January, 21 at RMBB "Bad Girlz Gone Wild" in Sheridan, Colorado
#20 ranked 125-pound fighter Lacey "The Ladie" Schuckman (6-3-0) defeated #6 ranked 105-pound fighter Diana "Dynamite" Rael (2-1-0) by submission (rear-naked choke) in the first round of their 110-pound professional Championship MMA match.
Lacey trains with team Rugburn in Lakewood, Colorado she is coming off of a submission loss to Carla Esparza at 115-pounds at RMBB: "Clash of the Titans 8"
Lacey is coached by her husband Randall Schuckman.
This was Lacey's first time dropping down to 110-pounds
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Lacie Jackson defeats Kathryn Sweeton
On Friday January, 14 at Hard Knocks Fighting Championships in Waverly, Tennessee
Lacie Jackson (6-2-0) defeated Kathryn Sweeton (0-1-0) by TKO in the first round of their 155-pound amateur MMA match.
Lacie is fresh off her submission victory against Crystal Bentley on December 18th.
Lacie lives and trains in Jackson, Tennessee where she is coached by her father Johnny Jackson.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Sarah Cook defeats Leah Kripp
On Saturday January, 15 at AAMMA 9: "Nations Collide" in Florence, Kentucky
Sarah Cook (2-1-0) defeated Leah Kripp (4-1-0) by unanimous decision to win the AAMMA amateur 135-pound Women's Championship.
Sarah Cook lives in Hamilton, Ohio and trains at Team Prodigy in Springboro, Ohio, where she is coached by Kenny Warrix.
The last time Sarah fought on December 10th she defeated Amy Lack, in her only loss which was her debut fight at AAMMA "Battle Against Breast Cancer" she was defeated by Erica Ellington.
Norma Rueda defeats April Bowling
On Saturday January, 15 at AAMMA: 9 "Nations Collide" in Florence, Kentucky
Norma Rueda (2-0-0) defeated April Bowling (3-2-0) by submission (strikes) in the first round of their 135-pound amateur MMA match.
Norma Rueda is from El Paso, Texas but currently lives in Dayton, Ohio. and train at Son of Siam where she is coached by Nathan Fitch.
Norma's last fight was a very impressive victory over the formerly undefeated Diane Hooper (3-1-0) at AAMMA: "Battle Against Breast Cancer" on October 2nd.
Paulina Granados defeats Stephanie Alba
On Saturday January, 15 2011 in San Antonio, Texas at Premire Combat Group: "Cowboy Cage Fighting"
Paulina Granados (1-0-0) defeated Stephanie Alba (0-1-0) by unanimous decision in their 115-pound amateur MMA match.
Paulina who is also (1-0) in Muay Thai trains at American Revolution in Corpus Christi, Texas where she is coached by Freddy Medellin.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Katalina Muti Malungahu defeats Jennifer Raff
On Friday January, 14th at Elite Fight Nite, in Lehi, Utah
Katalina Muti Malungahu (1-0-0) defeated Jennifer Raff (0-1-0) by TKO in the first round of their 155-pound amateur MMA match.
Katalina trains at Jeremy Horn's Elite Performance in Sandy, Utah.
Katalina trains at Jeremy Horn's Elite Performance in Sandy, Utah.
Tiffany Jones defeats Jennifer Pushman
On Friday January, 14 at UCF: "Cage Combat MMA" in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Tiffany Jones (2-0-0) defeated Jennifer Pushman (0-1-0) by TKO in the first round of their open weight amateur MMA match.
Tiffany who came in at 136-pounds is from Detroit, Michigan and trains at Sando-Bonebreakers Vale-Tudo in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Her instructor is Chris Sando
Barb Honchak defeats Felice Herrig
On Friday January, 14 at New Year's Nemesis
Barb 'Lil Warrior" Honchak (2-1-0) defeated Felice "Lil Bulldog" Herrig (3-3-0) by unanimous decision in their 125 -pound professional MMA match
This was a battle of two women who have been on reality television. Felice was a member of Fight Girls and Barb is a part of the upcoming Ultimate Women Challenge.
Barb Honchak is a member of the female MMA reality television show "Ultimate Women Challenge" She trains at Steve Bergers "Red Nose MMA" in St. Louis, Missouri Barb is sponsored by Tussle Fight Gear.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Jennifer Raff vs. Katalina Muti Malungahu
On Friday January, 14th at Elite Fight Nite, in Lehi, Utah
Jennifer Raff (0-0-0) will battle Katalina Muti Malungahu (0-0-0) in a 155-pound amateur MMA match.
Jennifer who is making her MMA debut lives and trains in Salt Lake City, Utah at The Bernales Institute of Martial Arts where she is trained by Wil Bernales and Gym Jones where she is coaced by Robert MacDonald.
Katalina is also making her amateur MMA debut.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Holly Holm vs Christina Domke
Another one of the world's best boxers is ready to give mixed martial arts a try. According to sources close to the bout, USCombatSports.com has learned that highly decorated professional boxer Holly Holm will make her mixed martial arts debut against Wisconsin’s ground specialist Christina Domke in Albuquerque's Route 66 Casino Hotel on March 4 in a promotion yet to be named.
Regarded as one of the world’s pound-for-pound best boxers, Holm will also enter the cage in March with a solid kickboxing game. Nicknamed both “Hottie” and “The Preacher’s Daughter”, Holm won the national amateur kickboxing championship in 2001. She will square off against the ground-and-pound expert Domke.
Training under Mike Winkeljohn and Greg Jackson in Albuquerque, Holm has accumulated a career boxing record of 29-1-3. Most recently, she earned an eighth round TKO over Ann Marie Saccurato in December. However, she is now entering a sport with a much different set of rules, something her opponent knows all about.
Since turning pro in 2009, no female fighter made as much of an impact on the Wisconsin fight scene as Domke. Following an impressive amateur career, the “Machine Gun” has went 4-1 in the professional ranks, and even supplied the Badger state with one of the nastiest knockouts of 2009.
The career-defining bout will also give the Unified Martial Arts fighter a golden opportunity to clean the slate from her last out of state fight. Nearly a year ago to the day, Domke suffered a quick submission loss to Bethany Marshall after getting caught in an early guillotine. But it’s safe to say that Holm probably won’t rely on submissions come fight night.
At the Route 66 Casino Hotel in March, Domke and Holm will bring an impressive set of credentials to the much anticipated bout. A win for either fighter will likely put them right in line for a Strikeforce contract. Stay tuned to US Combat Sports for breaking news regarding the March card which will likely be headlined by Keith Jardine and possibly another Wisconsin veteran.
Source: USCombatsports.com
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Paulina Granados vs. Stephanie Alba
On Saturday January, 15 in San Antonio, Texas at Premire Combat Group: "Cowboy Cage Fighting"
Paulina Granados (0-0-0) will go up against Stephanie Alba (0-0-0) in a 115-pound amateur MMA match.
Paulina is 1-0 in Muay Thai and is making her MMA debut she trains at American Revolution in Corpus Christi, Texas where she is coached by Freddy MedellinStephanie is also making her MMA debut she trains at Urban Jungle Self Defense in Houston, Texas where she is coached by Tony Torres-Aponte
Tiffany Jones vs. Jennifer Pushman
On Friday January, 14 at UCF: "Cage Combat MMA" in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Tiffany Jones (1-0-0) will meet Jennifer Pushman (0-0-0) in an open weight amateur MMA match.
Tiffany is from Detroit, Michigan and trains at Sando-Bonebreakers Vale-Tudo in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Her instructor is Chris SandoJennifer is also from Grand Rapids, Michigan and is teammates with Tiffany at Sando-Bonebreakers in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She will be making her amateur MMA debut.
Chris Sando who instructs both girls will not corner either fighter for this match, they will both however have someone in their corner.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Yadira Anzaldua defeats Karina Hallinan
On Friday January, 7 at ECSC: "Friday Night Fights" in Clovis, New Mexico
Yadira "Ya Ya" Anzaldua (2-2-0) defeated Karina Hallinan (3-4-0) by submission (guillotine choke) in the second round of their 115-pound professional MMA match. Ka
Yadira who trains at Hybrid Combat out of Amarillo, Texas is coming off of a submission victory against Shimone Brooks at ECSC: Evolution 1 on October 30th.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
Ronda Rousey defeats Taylor Stratford
On Friday January, 7 at Tuff-N-Uff in Las Vegas, Nevada
Ronda Rousey (3-0-0) defeated Taylor Stratford (6-1-0) by submission (armbar) at 24 seconds of the first round in their semi-final match of the Tuff-N-Uff 145-pound amateur tournament Championship.
After the match Ronda announced that she will be turning pro in February and therefore she will not advance in the tournament and Taylor Stratford will be given a pass to the finals of the 145-pound tournament.
In the opening round of the tournament Ronda defeated Autumn Richardson by submission in the first round.
Ronda is best known for her Bronze medal that she won in Judo at the 2008 Olympics in China.
Heather Clark defeats April Coutino
On Friday January, 7 at ECSC: "Friday Night Fights" in Clovis, New Mexico
Heather "Hurricane" Clark (2-1-0) defeated #16 ranked 125-pound fighter April "La Princessa Azteca" Coutino (3-1-0) by KO in ten seconds of the first round in their professional 125-pound match.
Heather Clark who trains at Jackson's MMA in Albuquerque, New Mexico also fought on the ECSC: Evolution card against Kyane Hampton she defeated her by first round armbar. In her only other match she was defeated by Karina Hallinan.
Heather is a member of the all-female cast of the upcoming reality television program "Ultimate Women Challenge" which is said to be coming out sometime this summer.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Emily Whitmire vs. Robin Woods
On Saturday January, 22 at FCFF: "The Rumble at the Roseland" in Portland, Oregon
Emily Whitmire (2-1-0) will go up against Robin Woods (0-0-0) in a 125-pound amateur MMA match.
Emily trains at Rise Above MMA in Portland, Oregon where she is trained by Ron Anderson.
In Emily's last fight on November 6th she defeated Sarah Mcleod by rear-naked choke in the first round.
Robin lives in SE Portland and trains at Alive MMA in Portland, Oregon where she is coached by her dad David Lloyd, who also fights out of Alive. This will be her amateur MMA debut.
In Emily's last fight on November 6th she defeated Sarah Mcleod by rear-naked choke in the first round.
Robin lives in SE Portland and trains at Alive MMA in Portland, Oregon where she is coached by her dad David Lloyd, who also fights out of Alive. This will be her amateur MMA debut.
Tuff-N-Uff: Weigh-In Pictures
Ronda Rousey vs. Taylor Stratford
Jessamyn Duke vs. Ashlee Evans Smith
Tamikka Brents vs. Tori Adams
International Womens Combat: Breaking News!
Hey everyone how are you, hope your holidays were great. Sorry I have been missing in action lately but I have been really busy with helping International Womens Combat put their first fight card together. I have lots of news to share with you to make up for the lost time, but your gonna have to hear my voice to find it out, so check out this interview I did with Rammy on Mysportsgeeks radio.
Listen to internet radio with SportsGeeks on Blog Talk Radio
Monday, January 3, 2011
Lisa Dzik defeats Deidre Miller
On Saturday December, 18th at Donofrio Promotions "Seasons Beatings" at The Palace in Auburn Hills in Michigan
Lisa Dzik ( 4-2-0) defeated Deidre Miller (1-1-0) by TKO in the first round of their 130-pound amateur MMA match.