There just aren’t enough imaginary Gina Carano fights to go around. The former face of women’s MMA isn’t actively competing but that hasn’t hurt her claim as a contender to Ronda Rousey. While the Carano-Rousey fight could be a massive pay-per-view success for the UFC, the matchup isn’t sitting well with former contender Miesha Tate. Calling the matchup ‘a joke,’ Tate says she isn’t interested in foxy boxing.
“The only thing that drives that is they’re both attractive,” Tate told the MMA Junkie Radio crew Monday. “It makes the women’s title hold no value. It makes it look like it’s a joke and they just put whatever’s going to sell. If we’re going to really legitimize women’s MMA as a sport and have it respected as a sport, then you have to treat it as such.”
Herself a beneficiary of title fights that make little sense, Tate says she’d be happy to knock the rust off Carano as an alternative.
“If Gina is serious about making a comeback, then I think I would be the perfect person for her to step in to fight against,” said Tate. “I’m not the champion, and it makes kind of a mockery of women’s MMA to have her come in and fight the champion. If she can beat me, I’ll wish her well on her way to the title, and I’ll definitely be rooting for her.”
Those statements didn’t sit well with Sarah Kaufman, who thinks Tate should stop throwing stones in glass houses.
How’s carano getting a title shot after long layoff any different than @MieshaTate getting one after getting KOd? UFC wants to sell, miesha
— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) May 6, 2014
To her credit, Kaufman has become the Donald Cerrone of the women’s division, ready and willing. Technically undefeated in her short UFC career, Kaufman called Tate out last week in an effort to secure a marque matchup. With Cat Zingano just now being cleared to train, Kaufman’s options are limited. The former Strikeforce champion already holds wins over Alexis Davis, Liz Carmouche and Tate, but Kaufman needs the rematch with ‘Cupcake’ to move the needle. You can hardly blame Kaufman for trying. In a world where Bethe Correia could be a win away from a title shot, you throw out the rulebook.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Late replacement. Fabio Maldonado promises ‘bloody, violent fight’ with Stipe Miocic.
‘It’s about money.’ Spike TV’s Kevin Kay talks bringing Bellator to PPV. ‘Bellator can do very well on free TV, but obviously, Bellator also needs to maximize revenues, needs to make as much money as it can make so that it can continue to support a huge roster of fighters.’
‘It’s a dream.’ Fabricio Werdum says he isn’t interested in an interim heavyweight title fight should Cain Velasquez not be ready for UFC 180.
Here today, gone today. Nate Diaz is the latest lightweight to be dropped from the UFC’s rankings due to ‘inactivity.’
Cleared. Cat Zingano announces that she is officially cleared by her doctors to resume training.
MEDIA STEW
Wanderlei Silva begins his camp. Seems like a lot of striking with grapplers.
Tito Ortiz says Ronda Rousey wouldn’t make it out of the first round with Cris Cyborg.
Rousey teaching some throws at her clinic.
TTTHS.
Oh, Bonnar.
Flying triangle from Cage Warriors.
Long watches.
Some gaming company set up a cage and let Gunnar Nelson beat up its employees.
…
Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Pat Healy. Backstage Pass UFC 165. (Part 7)
TWEETS
It’s tough out there.
— Stipe Miocic (@smiocic) May 7, 2014
Honestly just happy the @ufc got me a fight and I can’t wait to get to Brazil to put on a show for the fans I’ve been hearing so much about
— Stipe Miocic (@smiocic) May 7, 2014
Good to hear.
At Incredible Smiles in Boulder, getting a fresh mouth guard for my fresh start training hard again. I’M CLEARED! @ufc @BoulderDentist
— Alpha Cat Zingano (@CatZingano) May 6, 2014
Fair?
:)RT @WolfbikerLHDC: @BensonHenderson u find it interesting that Anderson could return from his injury be4 Pettis even has 1 Title defense?
— Benson Henderson (@BensonHenderson) May 7, 2014
Four points.
Feels good to be back training. Now off to the bar for a few I cold @Budweiser pic.twitter.com/EeAmORqKgr
— Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) May 7, 2014
Get well soon.
Desde que entrei no UFC, lutar no Brasil sempre foi meu grande sonho, mas infelizmente me lesionei a… http://t.co/zew1ndrqDI
— Junior Dos Santos (@junior_cigano) May 6, 2014
Recovery is on track! Finished my 10 Rounds.. Good to be back at it! – Aiming for a September return! pic.twitter.com/w7IfUYWmUl
— Alistair Overeem (@Alistairovereem) May 6, 2014
I’ve taken it easy long enough, it’s time I start getting ready to get my belt back! #BrokenLeg #wsof… http://t.co/PZYOTN8UNW
— Steve Carl (@Steve_Carl) May 6, 2014
Intriguing.
Possible fight news coming soon!!!
— Sara McMann (@Sara_McMann) May 6, 2014
Pick a Nate Diaz hash tag.
My wife surprised me early 4 my Bday by getting me a dog . now I have to come up with a cool girl dog name . Ideas? pic.twitter.com/zrDMR3hYCq
— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) May 7, 2014
Thought it was his fight. (Just shovel girl – NSFW)
WHATCH THIS SNUFF FILM REAL QUICKS!!!! http://t.co/eBWod0HTTY
— Pat Barry (@HypeOrDie) May 7, 2014
Man… Don’t click.
Long days work with all the young bulls pic.twitter.com/sJvtvJ5Xra
— Shawn Jordan (@savageshawn) May 7, 2014
He’s outdone himself.
My barber @watchmykix did it again what would I do without him #coldestbarberincali #riverside951… http://t.co/sp3U5ov9ip
— Lorenz Larkin (@da_MONSOON) May 6, 2014
See? Happens all the time.
I just found my phone . It was lost at Crazy Horse …..
— phil baroni (@philbaroni) May 6, 2014
Heads up.
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (May 6 2014)
Edson Barboza meets Evan Dunham at UFC Fight Night: Cerrone vs. Miller
Ryan Benoit vs. Ray Borg at UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Stephens
Fabio Maldonado vs. Stipe Miocic at TUF Brazil 3 Finale
Ildemar Alcantara vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio at UFC 175
Jussier Formiga vs. Zach Makovsky at UFC 176
Jim Alers vs. Lucas Martins at UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Stephens
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via Emmery Myers.
The purpose and methodology of fighter rankings
Often times in the MMAsphere, no where are the shitstorms worse than rankings discussion threads. However, as often is the case with things people debate furiously online, the entire debate hinges on parameters which are not clearly defined for everyone involved, leading to endless and utterly pointless arguments which can turn oddly personal.
Rankings are often debated matter of factly, as if they’re wholly objective and not formulated from subjective analysis. As if the philosophy used to calculate them is uniform and as if everyone adheres to the same one. But that is far from the truth.
Firstly, we should state and agree on the purpose of divisional rankings :
To populate an up to date, real time list of who the best fighters active in the division are.
I feel this philosophy is more useful from a competition standpoint, from a fans perspective, and easier to create than the alternate philosophy some have, which is :
A list of which current fighters have achieved the most in the division.
This view is problematic and the reasons for that will be addressed below as I discuss ranking methodology.
…
Check out the rest of the post here.
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