“It’s agitating, it gets under my skin. I know that there’s stuff that I could have done, but in the end I wouldn’t take it back for nothin’ because I felt like I was fighting for my life…but that’s the price that you pay if you don’t finish it, and I didn’t finish it. And after this fight I realized like, you only got you and that’s it, and…if you go to decision, it’s gonna be luck. You’re rolling the dice with the judges, and I’m not gonna let that happen again.”
So says a crestfallen Rose Namajunas, following her tough decision loss to Tecia Torres at Invicta FC 6. Though her stellar performance wasn’t enough to convince the judges to give her the win, Namajunas vs. Torres was easily one of the greatest WMMA fights of 2013. Hell, we were just proud to be part of her sports bra.
The latest “All Angles” video from Invicta manages to recap a night’s worth of emotional content into four minutes of behind-the-scenes gold, including the tense moments before the fight, highlights from the battle itself, Rose’s bummed-out post-fight monologue, and finally some incredible footage of Torres breaking down in tears while talking to her mom on the phone afterwards.
“It’s agitating, it gets under my skin. I know that there’s stuff that I could have done, but in the end I wouldn’t take it back for nothin’ because I felt like I was fighting for my life…but that’s the price that you pay if you don’t finish it, and I didn’t finish it. And after this fight I realized like, you only got you and that’s it, and…if you go to decision, it’s gonna be luck. You’re rolling the dice with the judges, and I’m not gonna let that happen again.”
So says a crestfallen Rose Namajunas, following her tough decision loss to Tecia Torres at Invicta FC 6. Though her stellar performance wasn’t enough to convince the judges to give her the win, Namajunas vs. Torres was easily one of the greatest WMMA fights of 2013. Hell, we were just proud to be part of her sports bra.
The latest “All Angles” video from Invicta manages to recap a night’s worth of emotional content into four minutes of behind-the-scenes gold, including the tense moments before the fight, highlights from the battle itself, Rose’s bummed-out post-fight monologue, and finally some incredible footage of Torres breaking down in tears while talking to her mom on the phone afterwards.
(Cris Cyborg vs. Marloes Coenen II. Video via FancyMojo420)
As was written so aptly this past weekend on these pages, the women folk on Saturday’s Invicta FC 6 card were some bad mofo’s. Most of the attention was given to the main event title fight (above) rematch between “Cris Cyborg” Santos and Marloes Coenen but we’ve got much love for everyone else on the card as well, especially our very own “Thug” Rose Namajunas.
For the second time in her career, Coenen showed that she can last longer than most women against Santos, but once again, she took a bad beating and a loss at the hands of the “Cyborg.” Namajunas faced the tough Tecia Torres and lost a hard-fought decision that got the main card off to an explosive start.
Both bouts were entertaining and give enough argument on their own that women’s MMA deserves our collective attention. Check out the main event above and Namajunas vs. Torres after the jump and see what we mean.
(Cris Cyborg vs. Marloes Coenen II. Video via FancyMojo420)
As was written so aptly this past weekend on these pages, the women folk on Saturday’s Invicta FC 6 card were some bad mofo’s. Most of the attention was given to the main event title fight (above) rematch between “Cris Cyborg” Santos and Marloes Coenen but we’ve got much love for everyone else on the card as well, especially our very own “Thug” Rose Namajunas.
For the second time in her career, Coenen showed that she can last longer than most women against Santos, but once again, she took a bad beating and a loss at the hands of the “Cyborg.” Namajunas faced the tough Tecia Torres and lost a hard-fought decision that got the main card off to an explosive start.
Both bouts were entertaining and give enough argument on their own that women’s MMA deserves our collective attention. Check out the main event above and Namajunas vs. Torres after the jump and see what we mean.
I love Leslie Smith, but there’s no way I’m not using this kickface. PhotoProps: Esther Lin / Invicta FC
Invicta continues to impress with good matchmaking and stellar action in its latest card, and for the first time, Invicta is available widely through pay per view, leaving behind any old issues with UStream. Apparently this is the first all-female MMA pay per view, so it’s a historic night, and the fights delivered, as usual.
Since I’ve already effectively spoiled the main event for you, why not follow along as I talk out loud about how cool the show was and which ladies be scary.
CagePotato’s Professional Gangsta “Thug” Rose Namajunas was glorious in defeat last night, putting on a highly entertaining bout with Tecia Torres that was an early pick for Fight of the Night. Namajunas looked for a flying armbar, but I guess Torres had heard something about it.
Also, Thug Rose gives zero fucks about your stupid resets, Big John:
I love Leslie Smith, but there’s no way I’m not using this kickface. PhotoProps: Esther Lin / Invicta FC
Invicta continues to impress with good matchmaking and stellar action in its latest card, and for the first time, Invicta is available widely through pay per view, leaving behind any old issues with UStream. Apparently this is the first all-female MMA pay per view, so it’s a historic night, and the fights delivered, as usual.
CagePotato’s Professional Gangsta “Thug” Rose Namajunas was glorious in defeat last night, putting on a highly entertaining bout with Tecia Torres that was an early pick for Fight of the Night. Namajunas looked for a flying armbar, but I guess Torres had heard something about it.
Also, Thug Rose gives zero fucks about your stupid resets, Big John:
Seriously, Namajunas is awesome. I would have beaten her boyfriend in a dance-off and claimed her hand and probably given her my team jacket by now, but her boyfriend has tree trunks for legs and he smiles a lot. You don’t fuck with a guy like that.
Miriam Nakamoto is NASTY, son.
A former Muay Thai champ, Nakamoto leaves a wake of knee-shaped dents everywhere she goes, and now carries a 2-0 record (plus this one NC versus Jessamyn Duke on the last Invicta card, on account of one of her vicious knees being illegal). ”The Queen of Mean” is just one of the bright spots on the horizon at 135.
Also looking bright is the strawweight division.
Mizuki Inoue is a new prospect out of Japan. Her striking looked very crisp against fan favorite Bec Hyatt — at just eighteen years old, she looks like she’s been boxing since she was a zygote. Inoue took a decision win for the upset, and now stands at 6-1. Keep an eye on her.
Also at 115: Claudia Gadelha, JoJo Calderwood and the aforementioned Torres-Namajunas scrap all looked like talented athletes coming up in the sport. Gadelha will get a title shot against current strawweight champ Carla Esparza; Calderwood and Torres both move up in the pecking order. Namajunas gets to vlog for you assholes. So really, who wins?
That’s Leslie “The Peacemaker” Smith up top getting footed in the face, in her first fight at 125. Her opponent Jennifer Maia is coming off an upset victory over Zoila Frausto, and the two will turn in a thrilling three-rounder.
You may have heard me say good things about Smith when she fought at 135, now ten pounds lighter at flyweight she’s a beast. As suspected, Smith’s decision victory was good enough to earn her the next crack at 125 pound champ Barb Honchak (although turn in another Fight of the Night performance — Smith’s third — probably doesn’t hurt).
Atomweight standout Jessica Penne got back on track with a first round sub of Nicdai Rivera-Calanoc, but there’s a bit of chatter about her shove after the tap. Check it out and you tell me.
Kind of a dick move, right?
Ediane Gomes did not fight, because like twenty fighters pulled out of this card and it was all kinds of crazy. Also no one wants to get worked by the scary Brazilian lady that doesn’t have a big name. At least if Cyborg knocks you out, people can be like “Well yeah, it was Cyborg, the fuck did you expect?”
Full results:
145 lb. title: Cris Cyborg Justino def. Marloes Coenen via TKO (punches and elbows) in round four
115 lbs.: Claudia Gadelha def. Ayaka Hamasaki via TKO at 3:58 of round three
135 lbs.: Lauren Taylor def. Sarah D’Alelio via UD (30-27, 29-28×2)
125 lbs.: Leslie Smith def. Jennifer Maia via UD (30-27×2, 29-28), Fight of the Night
105 lbs.: Jessica Penne def. Nicdali Rivera-Calanoc via submission (rear naked choke) at 4:57 of round one, Sub of the Night
115 lbs.: Joanne Calderwood def. Norma Rueda Center via UD (30-27, 29-28×2)
115 lbs.: Mizuki Inoue def. Bec Hyatt via UD (29-28 x3)
135 lbs.: Miriam Nakamoto def. Duda Yankovich via KO in round one, KO of the Night
115 lbs.: Tecia Torres def. Rose Namajunas via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28)
Prelims
115 lbs.: Emily Kagan def. Ashley Cummins via split decision (30-27×2, 29-28)
115 lbs.: Livia von Plettenberg def Kathina Catron via UD (30-27, 29-28×2)
“It’s like they sized it just for me!” PicProps: Ester Lin / InvictFC
Cris Cyborg reclaimed her place on the throne as #1 Woman in the World You Definitely Do Not Want to Fuck With (plus Invicta’s featherweight championship or whatever) with a methodical four-round thrashing of Forever #2 Marloes Coenen. Coenen was seen as the most legitimate challenger for Cyborg at 145 (in fairness, 145 is a division that could charitably be compared to a blasted desert), and Cyborg goes and does this shit:
Jesus Christ man, Cyborg is throwing Coenen around like she’s Lexington Steele FFS.
“It’s like they sized it just for me!” PicProps: Ester Lin / InvictFC
Cris Cyborg reclaimed her place on the throne as #1 Woman in the World You Definitely Do Not Want to Fuck With (plus Invicta’s featherweight championship or whatever) with a methodical four-round thrashing of Forever #2 Marloes Coenen. Coenen was seen as the most legitimate challenger for Cyborg at 145 (in fairness, 145 is a division that could charitably be compared to a blasted desert), and Cyborg goes and does this shit:
Jesus Christ man, Cyborg is throwing Coenen around like she’s Lexington Steele FFS. Coenen is stunned and barely gets her defense up after that slam, and it wasn’t the only ride Cyborg took her on, either. And that’s not another hack attempt at a sexual joke! I mean literally: Cyborg turned simple takedowns into explosive interpretive dances of Anger, Social Anxiety, and Bitch I Will Cut You, pressing a full option of punches, knees, elbows, and throws, and it’s fucking terrifying. She’s like the real-world women’s equivalent of Tong Po.
Coenen appeared to be going into the fight with Gameplan #39 (The Bob Sapp Trapp) in play: avoid an early bull-rush, weather the sloppy offense, and wait for the brute to tire out. Finish with ankle lock, season to taste.
But Cyborg never bull rushed. Cyborg was patient: she waited for openings and picked her shots, using her energy wisely. This is a noticeable improvement over previous fights, when Cyborg was prone to berserker rages that ate into her cardio reserves. She would still rip off a violent series of hooks, just not twelve of them.
More ominously, Cyborg looked to be refocused on cardio, probably a result of her work with Tito Ortiz. With her new found efficiency of movement, she seemed capable of sustaining her new pace for five rounds, or more if she needed.
She needed not. Her offense ramped up as the match went on, as Coenen’s ability to absorb Cyborg’s onslaught declined. By the fourth round, Coenen had taken enough punishment for Matt freakin Lindland to want to call it. Big John called it. Cyborg was a verr heppy for her chance for to be a women’s champion again, and thanks verr much for to God and Invicta. Meanwhile, Coenen looked dazed, with a faraway gaze into the distance, perhaps contemplating her next move, or perhaps merely still struggling to wrap her head around what she had gotten herself into.
Or I guess that glassy-eyed look could have been all the blunt force trauma. Hard to tell sometimes.
The prelims, however, were a friggin’ nightmare. We’ll go from most crazy to least crazy:
– Featherweight knockout-machine Veronica Rothenhausler has been pulled from the event after being declared medically unfit to compete. According to reports on the scene, Rothenhausler passed out due to a bad weight cut and had to be hospitalized. Needless to say, her fight against Mollie Estes was canceled. Get well soon, Veronica.
– Former strawweight Livia Von Plettenberg’s attempt to drop down to atomweight was botched to a Anthony Johnson-esque degree. Von Plettenberg weighed in at 113 pounds for her 105-pound contest against Cassie Robb, and since there was no way she’d be able to drop seven pounds on short notice, that fight has been removed from the card as well. Cripes. Will Invicta have to pull random women from the crowd in order to fill out the lineup? Because I’d totally watch that. UPDATE:Kathina “Kill Switch” Catron has stepped in on a day’s notice to fight Von Plettenberg at 125 pounds.
The prelims, however, were a friggin’ nightmare. We’ll go from most crazy to least crazy:
– Featherweight knockout-machine Veronica Rothenhausler has been pulled from the event after being declared medically unfit to compete. According to reports on the scene, Rothenhausler passed out due to a bad weight cut and had to be hospitalized. Needless to say, her fight against Mollie Estes was canceled. Get well soon, Veronica.
– Former strawweight Livia Von Plettenberg’s attempt to drop down to atomweight was botched to a Anthony Johnson-esque degree. Von Plettenberg weighed in at 113 pounds for her 105-pound contest against Cassie Robb, and since there was no way she’d be able to drop seven pounds on short notice, that fight has been removed from the card as well. Cripes. Will Invicta have to pull random women from the crowd in order to fill out the lineup? Because I’d totally watch that. UPDATE:Kathina “Kill Switch” Catron has stepped in on a day’s notice to fight Von Plettenberg at 125 pounds.
– Ediane Gomes was originally scheduled to face Tamikka Brents at a catchweight of 150 pounds, after Brents took the fight on three days’ notice as an injury replacement for Charmaine Tweet. Brents showed up today weighing 155.1 pounds. Invicta and Gomes threw their hands up and decided that the fight would still proceed at lightweight.
– Ashley Cummins and Emily Kagan actually hit the strawweight limit. Yes, both of them. Amazing.
Full Invicta FC 6 weigh-in results are below, via MMAJunkie…
MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view, 9 p.m. ET)
Marloes Coenen (145) vs. Cristiane Santos (144.9) – for inaugural featherweight title
Claudia Gadelha (114.5) vs. Ayaka Hamasaki (115.3)
Sarah D’alelio (134.8) vs. Lauren Taylor (134.8)
Jennifer Maia (124.6) vs. Leslie Smith (125.1)
Jessica Penne (106.) vs. Nicdali Rivera-Calanoc (105.7)@
Joanne Calderwood (115.7) vs. Norma Rueda Center (115.8)
Bec Hyatt (115.5) vs. Mizuki Inoue (113.3)
Miriam Nakamoto (135.5) vs. Duda Yankovich (134.7)
Rose Namajunas (114.7) vs. Tecia Torres (115.6)
PRELIMINARY CARD (Ustream, 7 p.m. ET)
Tamikka Brents (155.1) vs. Ediane Gomes (149)*
Ashley Cummins (115.9) vs. Emily Kagan (115.3)
Mollie Estes (144.7) vs. Veronica Rothenhausler ()**
Cassie Robb (105.8) vs. Livia Von Plettenberg (113)***
* Fight will proceed at lightweight.
** Fight canceled due to Rothenhausler being medically ineligible to compete.
*** Fight canceled due to Von Plettenberg being unable to make weight. Von Plettenberg will now face Kathina Catron in a flyweight bout.
BONUS PIC: Thug Rose at the weigh-ins, shot by Esther Lin. I got chills. Click for full-size version.
