Jewels 10th Ring: Weigh-in Pictures

128-pounds: Miki Morifuji vs. Ayama “Ariya” Koyama

115-pounds: Mai Ichii vs. Miyo Yoshida

115-pounds: Hiroko Kitamura vs Rina Tomita

106-pounds: Yukiko Seki vs. Yuko Kagoshima

106-pounds: Kikuyo Ishikawa vs Misaki “Patora” Ozawa

125-pounds: Emi Murata vs Mizuki Inoue

125-pounds: Harumi vs. Asako Saioka

115-pounds: Saori Ishioka vs Celine Haga

 

Jessica Rakoczy vs. Jennifer Scott: Weigh-in Pictures

Saturday October, 9 

MMA Xplosion: USA vs Kazakshtan

125-pounds: Jessica Rakoczy (0-3-0) vs Jennifer Scott (1-0)

Sarah Kaufman vs. Marloes Coenen: Weigh-In Video

Sarah Kaufman vs. Marloes Coenen: Weigh-in results, pictures & odds

Sarah Kaufman  weighed in at 134.25-pounds

Marloes Coenen weighed in at 134-pounds

Betting Odds:

Sarah Kaufman    - 295

Marloes Coenen  + 250

Poll Results:

Kaufman (KO)   36%

Kaufman (Sub)    4%

Kaufman (Dec)   31%

Coenen    (KO)   11%

Coenen    (Sub)    14%

Coenen    (Dec)     5%        

  

Total votes: 425

Shayna Baszler vs. Elaina Maxwell

Dakota Magic Casino presents "Battle at the Border 7"

Friday, November 19, 8:00 PM

Shayna "The Queen of Spades" Baszler (12-6-0) vs. Elaina "Beef" Maxwell (4-3-0)

Shayna has not fought since June, 12 when she defeated Adrienne Jenkins by armbar at FCF 43.
Shayna had previously announced signing a contract with Strikeforce, this may be a 135-pound title elimination bout with the winner getting the next title shot after Miesha Tate.

Elaina last fought on Aug, 28 when she defeated Raging Wolf 135-pound champion in a non-title match. The match was non-title because Elaina did not make weight.

Karina Hallinan: Interview

Karina Hallinan is a 26-year-old professional MMA fighter who was born and raised in Riverside, California. Growing up Karina was very athletic. She played Soccer, Basketball, Softball and was even a Cheerleader in high school.

I asked Karina why she decided to become a fighter and she replied, "I went to a King of The Cage event and I was so impressed by the fights that I decided that I wanted to be a fighter, so the next day I opened up the phonebook and looked for a nearby gym." Soon after joining a gym Karina began her amateur career, as an amateur Karina compiled a (3-1-0) record.

Karina up until recently trained at Team Quest in Temecula, with Fernando Gonzalez where she spent three and a half years but she has recently moved to Jackson's MMA in Albuquerque, New Mexico where she has joined her fellow cast mates from The Ultimate Women Challenge Julie Kedzie and Heather Clark.

Karina is 5'6 and her walk around weight is 128-pounds. She fought at 115-pounds in her most recent fight against Yang Xiao Nan whom she defeated by rear-naked choke.

Her processional MMA record is (3-2-0). Her victories have come against Melissa Steele Heather Clark and Yang Xio Nan. Many people believe that Karina's first fight, which was a loss to Zoila Frausto should have actually been won by Karina. Her only other loss was against Carla Esparza.

Karina also spent some time on the Ultimate Women Challenge, reality T.V. show that will be out soon. During her time on the show Karina competed in the 125-pound division, before leaving the show early to fight Yang Xio Nan in Singapore.

Karina has a busy month coming up on Saturday she will be facing Marissa Caldwell (2-2-0) at XFC 12 "Mayham" in Kyrenia, Northern Cyprus. It will have been about three weeks since her last fight, not to mention she most likely fought once before leaving the reality show. Then on October 30, at ECSC: "Evolution 1" Karina will take on Kelly Warren (1-0-0). It is very possible that Karina could be fighting four times in a 50-day period.

When I asked Karina what her goals in MMA were she replied, "I just want to be the best fighter I can be. "
Karina would like to thank her sponsors:

Tussle Fight Gear
Dom Fight Gear
Submit or Sleep Gear

You can contact Karina at:

Facebook.com/KarinaHallinan

grasshopperpig@yahoo.com

Sarah Kaufman: Interview

Sarah Kaufman hears the same questions over and over these days. It gets a little tiresome at times, but she knows she brought it on herself. She's the squeaky wheel who demanded some grease on live television.

"It was one of those things that needed to be said at the time," she told MMA Fighting this week. "If I was in the same situation again I would do it again, for sure."

By it, of course, she means the moment right after her knockout slam of Roxanne Modafferi in her last Strikeforce 135-pound title defense when she took to the mic and called for her employer to stop relegating her fights to the small-time Challengers cards and start giving her the respect a champion deserves.

"I think I deserve it," she said into the camera. "Put me on there."

Now that she's getting her wish in a televised title defense against Dutch fighter Marloes Coenen on the Showtime portion of Saturday night's Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Noons II card, everyone wants to know what she thinks about it. It's almost as if the fight itself has become an afterthought, and what it represents is getting all the attention.

To read the entire interview click here

Sarah Kaufman: Video Interview

Marloes Coenen: Video Interview

Marloes Coenen: Video Interview

Sarah Kaufman vs. Marloes Coenen: Article

The women's division in mixed martial arts is very similar to that of many other major sports. While it can be competitive and entertaining to watch, it's generally enjoyed by a very small group of fans in comparison to the men's game. In Mixed Martial Arts, the "very small group" is a bit larger due to the fact that there is still an undeniable excitement level when it comes to hand-to-hand combat.
Sarah Kaufman (12-0, 4-0 SF), Strikeforce's 135 pound women's champion, hopes to change that on Saturday night as she battles former Strikeforce 145 pound contender Marloes Coenen (17-4, 1-1 SF) in a women's welterweight title showdown. While Kaufman has been criticized in the past for being relatively boring, she answered those critics by slamming Roxanne Modaferri to the floor and knocking her out in her last performance at Strikeforce Challengers IX. She followed the victory up with a call to Scott Coker to put her on a Showtime main card, and Coker has given her the opportunity on Saturday night.

To read the entire article click here

Sarah Kaufman: Interview

Strikeforce women's welterweight champion Sarah Kaufman (12-0 MMA, 4-0 SF) cuts around 12 pounds to make the 135-pound limit required to defend her belt.

Her next opponent, Marloes Coenen (17-4 MMA, 1-1 SF), likely will have a much tougher road to the scale since she's fought the bulk of her MMA career at 145 pounds.

And that could pay dividends if the fight hits the later rounds, the champion told MMAjunkie.com

"Going into rounds four and five, I definitely think I have an advantage for sure," Kaufman said of her third title defense this Saturday in the co-main event of "Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Noons II" at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.

To read the entire interiew click here

Jessamyn Duke vs. Alexandria Stobbe

Jessamyn Duke: Interview

Born in Whitesburg, Kentucky and raised in Blackey, Kentucky Jessamyn Duke is a 24-year-old amateur MMA fighter who now resides in Richmond, Kentucky.

Growing up Jessamyn was very athletic. She was a cross-country runner, competed in track & field and played volleyball. She was a sweet & innocent girl who never got in a fight and believe it or not, she even got bullied a little in school.
Before beginning her MMA training Jessamyn competed in Muay Thai where her amateur record is (2-2-0). She also won the WMA Welterweight Championship. When I asked her how she began training in MMA, she said it was just for fitness, but she became obsessed with the sport since she is so competitive she decided to fight competitively. Aside from Muay Thai, Jessamyn has also competed in grappling tournaments.

Jessamyn has been training MMA for five years now and trains at AFS Academy in Richmond, Kentucky where she is coached by Scott Elliott. Jessamyn is a blue belt in BJJ. At AFS there are a few girls that she trains with including Gina Begley, but mostly she trains with the men. Her training consists of Muay Thai, grappling, BJJ, Strength & conditioning. She trains six day's week and up to five ours a day. She also is a personal trainer.

Jessamyn is 5'11, and fights in the 145-pound division. Her walk around weight is160-pounds. Jessamyn has fought at 140-pounds before but admits it was a tough cut and she does not think 135-pounds is a possibility.

On October 2, in her first amateur fight, Jessamyn defeated Alexandria Stobbe by first round TKO at Absolute Action MMA presents "Battle Against Breast Cancer." Jessamyn was very impressive in this fight and even gained the attention of her idol, who was at the fight Christiane "Cyborg" Santos.

Future plans for Jessamyn may include two November fights one vs. Ronda Rousey and the other against Sara McMann, but neither fight is set in stone.

Jessamyn can be contacted:

Facebook.com/jessamynduke

Twtter.com@jessamynduke

Sarah Kaufman: Interview

Women’s mixed martial arts has come a long way since its inception, but it has not received as much mainstream exposure as male mixed martial arts has enjoyed. However, if Strikeforce women’s welterweight champion Sarah Kaufman has anything to say about it, that will not be the case for long.

“I think women’s MMA has gotten a little more recognition lately,” said Kaufman, who will defend her title against Marloes Coenen at Strikeforce “Diaz vs. Noons 2” on Saturday at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. “After my last fight (a third-round slam knockout of Roxanne Modafferi in July), the knockout was on ESPN’s ‘Plays of the Week.’ I think women’s MMA just needs more exposure.

“There are a lot of stereotypes out there about boys doing things like fighting and girls doing girlie things, but the stereotypes are starting to change,” she added. “There are women out there now, like Marloes, who have been fighting for 10 years. I think it’s just a matter of time and getting more people to see women’s MMA is all.”

Strikeforce and Bellator Fighting Championships are two major promotions that have put an emphasis on women’s MMA, as Strikeforce has champions at 135 and 145 pounds in Kaufman and Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos; Bellator is currently conducting a 115-pound women’s tournament that features Japanese superstar Megumi Fujii.

“Things are getting better with Bellator doing their tournament and Strikeforce having championships the way they do,” said Kaufman. “Things like that really help push it forward. Even though she’s doing acting now, having Gina Carano bring attention to women’s MMA helped, as well.”


To read the entire interview click here

Marloes Coenen: Interview

The first time Marloes Coenen won a mixed martial arts title, she was a 19-year-old girl from Holland, fighting in Japan, and winning a title motivated her to decide to try to fight for a living, rather than go to a university.

That was in 2000, and neither Coenen nor anyone else had any idea of how much MMA would change over the next decade. But as Coenen prepares to fight Sarah Kaufman for the Strikeforce 135-pound women's title on Saturday night, she says she's motivated by the opportunity to earn a second championship belt.

"It was so different then," Coenen said. "This was an open-weight tournament for the ReMix World Cup, and the rules were different and there was a tiny Japanese girl fighting a Russian girl who was 330 pounds. Ten years ago, when I won that title in Japan, I had so many hopes and expectations, and now if I could win another title I would feel like it's the beginning of a new decade."


To read the entire interview click here

Marloes Coenen: Video Interview

Zoila Frausto vs. Megumi Fujii: Article

Bellator Fighting Championships today officially announced an October 28th Season 3 Women's Tournament World Championship fight between the #1 ranked pound-for-pound female fighter in the world Megumi "Mega Megu" Fujii and explosive striker Zoila "The Warrior Princess" Frausto at Bellator 34, which will take place at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, FL.

"This really is a dream matchup for the Women's 115 lb Title," said Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney. "Fujii's ground game is second to none and the same can be said about Frausto's striking ability.  Fujii's pound-for-pound status will be on the line in what promises to be one of the most electrifying battles in the history of women's MMA."

To read the entire article click here

Jessica Miramontes: Interview

Jessica Miramontes is a 25-year-old professional MMA fighter who was born in Lubbock, Texas but raised in Flower Mound, Texas, where she was an outstanding athlete involved in Track & Field, Soccer and Basketball. Jessica is a full-time student at Texas Tech University. She also teaches classes at her gym.


Jessica has been involved in martial arts since she was six-years-old. Her experience has been with Karate and Kuk Soo Won: The study of Kuk Soo includes many modern day techniques such as gun defense and weapon improvisation. Kuk Soo has many facets and is performed for self-defense, healing, conditioning, competition, fun and aesthetic purposes.


Jessica is not only an MMA fighter, she also trains and competes in Sanshou: That is composed of different traditional martial arts fighting styles from China, but mainly based on scientific efficiency. Sanshou is composed of Chinese martial arts applications including most aspects of combat including striking and grappling.


As I write this article, Jessica is in Buenos Aires, Argentina representing the United States as the only women competing in the Sanshou Pan American games. Jessica believes that Sanshou is the best martial art to have as a base for transferring to MMA.

Jessica trains at United Martial Arts in Lubbock, Texas where she is coached by Ian Lee, who is also the Sanshou  head coach for team USA. Her Jiu Jitsu coach is Danny Krack. She is managed by Jimmy Boyd. Jessica trains with all men. Her training partners include Corey Johnson, D.J. Clark Gary Chandler and McKenzie.

When I asked Jessica why they call her "War all the time," she replied, "When I fight, I get meaner and faster as the fight goes along.

Jessica fights at 125-pounds and walks around at up to 160-pounds. For the Sanshou tournament she will compete at 133 pounds.

Her professional MMA record is (3-0-0) including two victories over Brandi Hainey. Her amateur Sanshou record is (1-1-0)

Outside of the cage, Jessica is a student at Texas Tech University, where she has double majors of Fight Sports Science and Psychology. She also double minors in Business and English.

As far as future plans are concerned Jessica will be fighting for the 125-pound Shark Fights title in November. She would love to fight for Strikeforce one day but before any of that happens hopefully she will be bringing home a gold meal this week from Argentina.

Jessica is always looking for sponsors, you can contact her at:

facebook.com/jessica.miramontes

J.Mramontes@TTU.edu

Sarah Kaufman: Interview

Strikeforce 135-pound female titleholder Sarah Kaufman got what she wanted. She’s the co-main event on the “Strikeforce: San Jose” fight card headlined by the rematch between Nick Diaz and KJ Noons on Oct. 9.

Heading into her last outing against Roxanne Modaferri, Kaufman went public with complaints that she should be on regular Strikeforce cards instead of being featured on the organization’s “ShoMMA: Challengers” series.

The media and fans rallied behind the 25-year old fighter’s cause, and she delivered by finishing Modaferri with a highlight reel slam that rendered Modaferri unconscious. The highlight was picked up by ESPN and shown on Sportscenter.

Now that she’s showcased as a co-main event on a major Strikeforce card, has it added any pressure to perform?

To read the entire interview click here

Megumi Fujii: Article

We all spend time debating who the best fighters are, comparing records and opponents, breaking down decisions versus finishes and wondering where the next great unbeaten superstar will come from. Well, that fighter is already here and her name is Megumi Fujii.

If Megumi Fujii were a man, she would be heralded as the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet. There wouldn't even be a discussion.

"Mega Megu" pushed her record to 22-0 on Thursday, submitting American Lisa Ward with a slick armbar in the first round of their semifinal fight in the Bellator 115-pound tournament. Next up, Fuji will face Zoila Frausto, who earned a very shaky decision victory over Jessica "JAG" Aguilar earlier in the night.

When Lyoto Machida racked up an impressive 15-0 record before facing Mauricio "Shogun" Rua for the first time, media members and fans alike were tripping over themselves to bestow vast amounts of praise on the unbeaten Brazilian. A year later, he's 16-1 with a sketchy decision win over Rua in the mix, and no one is rushing to proclaim him anything other than a solid light heavyweight contender right now.

To read the entire article click here

Stephanie Webber defeats Keri Scarr

Saturday, October 02, 2010

"CageSport  MMA 12"

Stephanie Webber (1-1-0) defeats Keri Scarr (0-1-0) by (armbar) Rd. 1

Absolute Action MMA: Battle Against Breats Cancer" Results & pictures

Kentucky's First All Female event benefiting the Pink Ribbon Girls breast cancer awareness organization.

October 2, 2010 6:30 PM

Pro Fights

135 pounds: Kim Couture (3-3-0) defeated  Felicia Wells (-0-1-0) by (arm triangle choke)

125 pounds: Patti Lee (3-3-0) defeated Amanda LaVoy (1-3-0) by (armbar)

145 pounds: Adrienne Seiber (1-0-0) defeats Heather Corder (1-2-0) by (TKO)

Amateur Fights

145: pounds: Jessamyn Duke defeats Alexandria Stobbe by (TKO) Rd. 1

135: pounds: Erica Ellington defeats Sarah Cook by (TKO) Rd. 1

170: pounds: Vanessa Denham defeats Mackenzie Boggs by (TKO) Rd. 1

115: pounds: Kalilah Baker defeated Brittany Johnson by (TKO) Rd. 1

135: pounds: Norma Rueda defeats Diane Hooper by (unanimous decision)

130: pounds: Katherine Joplin defeats Amy Lack by (majority decision)

115: pounds: Jessica Philippus defeats Samantha Ress by (guillotine choke) Rd. 1

Miesha Tate: Interview

On August 15th, 2009, Strikeforce held what was the largest woman's MMA event in history when Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos entered the cage to face the wildly popular Gina Carano.  A little over a month later, Strikeforce woman's welterweight challenger, Miesha Tate bounced back from her second (and last) loss to begin what is now a five fight win streak.  That loss she was bouncing back from?  A decision that went to Sarah Kaufman, who fights for the Strikeforce welterweight belt on October 9th.

Miesha, who is now 11 – 2, seeks to avenge that loss to Kaufman and keep the belt on her mantle.  Her two – yes that's right two – wins this past August 13th, in an old school elimination tournament, likely set her up for that opportunity in the near future.  Miesha took time out of her busy schedule to answer some questions...

To read the interview click here

Danielle West defeats Maria Hougaard

Saturday, October 02, 2010

Fightergalla 16

Danielle West defeats Maria Hougaard by unanimous decision in a rematch from April 2009.

Danielle is now (3-1-0) Maria drops to (2-4-0)

Absolute Action MMA presents "Battle Against Breast Cancer"

Kentucky's First All Female event benefitting the Pink Ribbon Girls breast cancer awareness organization.

October 2, 2010 6:30 PM

Pro Fights

Kim Couture (2-3-0) vs Felicia Wells (-0-0-0)

Patti Lee (2-3-0) vs Alyx Luck (2-5-0)

Heather Corder (0-0-0) vs. Adrienne Seiber (0-0-0)

Jessamyn Duke (0-0-0) vs. Alexandria Stobbe (0-0-0)


Amateur Fights

Erica Ellington vs. Sarah Cook

Amber Robbins vs. Morgan Manning

Kristin Ullrich vs. Kalilah Baker

Vanessa Denham vs. Mackenzie Boggs

Amy Lack  vs. Katherine Joplin

Brittany Johnson vs. Elle Hodge

Jessica Philippus vs. Samantha Ress

Diane Hooper vs. Norma Rueda


To watch this event order it at: Cagefightinglive.com  for $9.99

Zoila Frausto vs. Jessica Aguilar: Fight Video

Keri Scarr vs. Stephanie Webber: weigh-in picture & results

Saturday, October 02, 2010

"Cagesports MMA 12"

Keri "Crusher" Scarr (0-0-0) vs. Stephanie Webber (0-1-0)

Both fighters weighed in at 140 pounds

Keri is making her pro debut.

Adrienne Seiber: Interview

Adrienne is a 39 year-old MMA fighter and law enforcement officer who will be making her pro debut this Saturday at Absolute Action MMA presents: "Battle Against Breast Cancer"

Born in Chicago, Illinois Adrienne grew up very athletic, she was in gymnastics, played softball, volleyball and basketball.

She also trained in taekwondo for three years, which introduced her to sparring and helped her to become a better kicker. She did however mention that taekwondo can only take you so far in MMA.

Adrienne also has had some amateur boxing experience having gone (2-0-0).

I asked Adrienne how she got into MMA and she replied, " My husband who I have been married to for seventeen years, for our tenth anniversary took me to watch the UFC live, it was Randy Couture against Chuck Liddell, the first one that Randy won, and I fell in love with the sport and knew that was what I wanted to do.

She began training as part of her time in the police academy where she learned jiu jitsu and muay thai, now combat sports have become the norm for her family with both her husband and her daughter being involved in training.

Adrienne trains at The Academy Of Self Defense in Evergreen Park, Illinois, where she is trained by Jeff Waldrom and Matt Olevich. She describes herself as an all around fighter who is comfortable both standing and on the ground. She trains five days a week and most of her sparring partners are men.

Her amateur MMA record is (6-1-0) with her only loss coming against Marissa Caldwell.

For her upcoming fight against Heather Corder they will be fighting at 145 pounds.
I asked Adrienne what was her ultimate goal in MMA and I'll put it this way, she will be meeting her for the first time on Saturday and hopefully she will get a picture with the champ, who she feels she matches up good against. "My strength is my strength" she said.

Adrienne is looking for sponsors if interested you can contact her on facebook or at her gym website at asd-ep.com

Megumi Fujii vs. Lisa Ward II: Fight Video

Danielle West vs. Maria Hougaard: Weigh-in Picture & results

Saturday, October 02, 2010

"Fighergalla 16: Danielle West vs Maria Hougaard

Danielle weighed in at 150 pounds

Maria weighed in at 149 pounds