Rosi Sexton was once completely opposed to the idea of allowing transgender athletes to fight in MMA, but she has taken a different position now after seven years away from the sport. Sexton is regarded to be one of the pioneers in women’s MMA after a long career in the UFC, CageWarriors, and Bellator. She […]
Rosi Sexton was once completely opposed to the idea of allowing transgender athletes to fight in MMA, but she has taken a different position now after seven years away from the sport.
Sexton is regarded to be one of the pioneers in women’s MMA after a long career in the UFC, CageWarriors, and Bellator. She competed against the best of the best in the sport including Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Jessica Andrade.
The conversation regarding transgender athletes competing in combat sports has picked up over the past few months after former transgender athlete Fallon Fox went after Joe Rogan during the promotion of their upcoming Biopic. Sexton recently wrote an op-ed on SB Nation on the topic and alluded to her own personal experiences with the issue.
“When people ask me why trans rights are something I care about, I tell them the truth,” Sexton said in an article posted to SB Nation’s Outsports. “I want to support my trans friends who are too often on the receiving end of some awful discrimination, abuse, and harassment.”
“Whenever I stand up for trans-inclusive policies, I get a barrage of similar abuse hurled my way, allegations that I support abuse of women, of children, that I’m stupid and don’t understand biology, that I’m on the side of deluded or predatory men. It can become overwhelming.”
Back in 2013, Sexton had said in a blog post that she was disappointed with Fox not publically announcing their gender identity during their combat sports career and that it was unfair for their opponents in MMA.
Sexton and Fox had a recent conversation about the issue of transgenderism that Sexton alluded to as “uncomfortable”. But, it appears that Sexton has changed sides on the issue and is happy to help the transgender community in any way she can.
What are your thoughts on Fallon Fox, Rosi Sexton, and transgenders in MMA?
(To answer the question posed by your body language, hellz yeah bro, that is some sick ink. / Photo via Getty)
BloodyElbow gives us the heads up that three notable UFC fighters have had their profiles removed from UFC.com — a sure sign that they’ve recently been released by the promotion. While it’s always sad to see people lose their jobs right before Christmas, you can’t argue that these three didn’t have it coming. So who felt the axe in the latest round of roster-cuts? Let’s begin…
Alessio Sakara: The Italian striker has been a reliable gatekeeper-presence at light-heavyweight and middleweight since his Octagon debut in 2005, earning solid wins against Elvis Sinosic, Joe Vedepo, Thales Leites, and James Irvin. But training injuries began to pile up beginning in 2009, and Sakara also missed fights due to sudden illness and the loss of his father.
In 2011, Sakara kicked off what would become a four-fight losing streak, when he dropped a decision to newcomer (and future middleweight champion) Chris Weidman, who came into the fight as a short notice injury replacement. After that, Sakara was KO’d by Brian Stann, DQ’d due to rabbit-punches in a fight against Patrick Cote, and armbarred by UFC rookie Nicholas Musoke during his most recent appearance at UFC Fight Night 30 in October. That loss dropped Sakara’s overall UFC record to 6-8 with one no-contest.
George Sotiropoulos: After entering the UFC as semi-finalist on TUF 6 in 2007, Sotiropoulos went on an absolute tear, winning seven fights in a row (which earned him a spot on the all-time leaderboard). In 2010, Sotiropoulos defeated Joe Stevenson, Kurt Pellegrino, and Joe Lauzon, making him a legitimate title contender in the lightweight division. But in a stunning reversal of fortune, Sotriopoulos would never win another fight in the UFC.
(To answer the question posed by your body language, hellz yeah bro, that is some sick ink. / Photo via Getty)
BloodyElbow gives us the heads up that three notable UFC fighters have had their profiles removed from UFC.com — a sure sign that they’ve recently been released by the promotion. While it’s always sad to see people lose their jobs right before Christmas, you can’t argue that these three didn’t have it coming. So who felt the axe in the latest round of roster-cuts? Let’s begin…
Alessio Sakara: The Italian striker has been a reliable gatekeeper-presence at light-heavyweight and middleweight since his Octagon debut in 2005, earning solid wins against Elvis Sinosic, Joe Vedepo, Thales Leites, and James Irvin. But training injuries began to pile up beginning in 2009, and Sakara also missed fights due to sudden illness and the loss of his father.
In 2011, Sakara kicked off what would become a four-fight losing streak, when he dropped a decision to newcomer (and future middleweight champion) Chris Weidman, who came into the fight as a short notice injury replacement. After that, Sakara was KO’d by Brian Stann, DQ’d due to rabbit-punches in a fight against Patrick Cote, and armbarred by UFC rookie Nicholas Musoke during his most recent appearance at UFC Fight Night 30 in October. That loss dropped Sakara’s overall UFC record to 6-8 with one no-contest.
George Sotiropoulos: After entering the UFC as semi-finalist on TUF 6 in 2007, Sotiropoulos went on an absolute tear, winning seven fights in a row (which earned him a spot on the all-time leaderboard). In 2010, Sotiropoulos defeated Joe Stevenson, Kurt Pellegrino, and Joe Lauzon, making him a legitimate title contender in the lightweight division. But in a stunning reversal of fortune, Sotriopoulos would never win another fight in the UFC.
First, G-Sots was bombed out by Dennis Siver, losing a unanimous decision after being repeatedly unable to take Siver to the mat. Then, Sotiropoulos was on the wrong end of brutal knockouts by Rafael dos Anjosand Ross Pearson, his rival coach on TUF: Smashes. (There was even a rumor that George was KO’d during the filming of that show.) Luckily, Sotiropoulos remained conscious during his most recent appearance at UFC 167 in October, but he still lost a decision to KJ Noons, sealing his fate with the promotion.
Rosi Sexton: The British WMMA veteran came into the UFC with a solid 13-2 record — her only losses coming against Gina Carano and Zoila Frausto Gurgel — but she failed to make an impact in the bantamweight division, losing consecutive decisions to Alexis Davis and Jessica Andrade this year; in case you missed it, Sexton’s loss to Andrade was a thoroughly lopsided beat-down. Luckily, Sexton still has her osteopathy practice and doctorate in theoretical computer science to fall back on, which begs the question: What the hell was Rosi Sexton doing fighting other women in cages in the first place? Don’t people only compete in MMA as a last resort? Sexton plans to get surgery to repair two prolapsed discs in her neck, and is not sure if she’ll ever fight again.
UFC 161 had some good fights to watch and learn from but if you’re one of the folks who paid the $217.00 or so that UFC pay per views now go for, and if you were drunk (those who do the former are often the latter during bouts) you may have been a bit disappointed with the action. In the main event, Rashad Evans turned up the heat in the third round against Dan Henderson and earned a split decision win.
The fight was close, and fought in spurts, but Evans looked impressive in coming back from being knocked down in the first round and in tiring Hendo and working the former Olympic wrestler over in his own sweet spot – the clinch. Evans gets back on the winning track but looks a long way from being able to challenge champion Jon Jones as he says he wants to once more.
Henderson certainly did not embarrass himself – he never has – but for the second consecutive fight, the forty two year-old looked to be the weaker and slower fighter in losing a close decision. Maybe that has to do with his age, maybe it has to do with the fact that both fights occurred against top light heavyweights.
Put the hard-earned legend of Henderson aside for a moment and remember that the man is a middleweight that, for reasons of crazy ability and guts, fights light heavyweights and heavyweights. Henderson is no where near a title shot at this point, in any division. It will be interesting to see how much motivation he has to keep fighting without more gold in his reach.
UFC 161 had some good fights to watch and learn from but if you’re one of the folks who paid the $217.00 or so that UFC pay per views now go for, and if you were drunk (those who do the former are often the latter during bouts) you may have been a bit disappointed with the action. In the main event, Rashad Evans turned up the heat in the third round against Dan Henderson and earned a split decision win.
The fight was close, and fought in spurts, but Evans looked impressive in coming back from being knocked down in the first round and in tiring Hendo and working the former Olympic wrestler over in his own sweet spot – the clinch. Evans gets back on the winning track but looks a long way from being able to challenge champion Jon Jones as he says he wants to once more.
Henderson certainly did not embarrass himself – he never has – but for the second consecutive fight, the forty two year-old looked to be the weaker and slower fighter in losing a close decision. Maybe that has to do with his age, maybe it has to do with the fact that both fights occurred against top light heavyweights.
Put the hard-earned legend of Henderson aside for a moment and remember that the man is a middleweight that, for reasons of crazy ability and guts, fights light heavyweights and heavyweights. Henderson is no where near a title shot at this point, in any division. It will be interesting to see how much motivation he has to keep fighting without more gold in his reach.
Stipe Miocic (right) lands an uppercut on Roy Nelson | Photo via BloodyElbow
The Fight of The Night came on the under card. James Krause and Sam Stout duked it out for almost three full rounds before Krause caught “Hands of Stone” in a guillotine choke, forcing the submission. Each man was awarded an $50,000 for producing the Fight of The Night.
Krause, who had the card’s only submission, also earned an additional $50,000 for Submission of The Night. UFC 161′s only knockout of the night won, surprise, Knockout Of The Night.
Shawn Jordan used a nasty punch combo to put Pat Barry down early in the first round of their heavyweight clash. Way too many left hand hooks to a grounded Barry brought about the stoppage.
Jordan now has won two straight and is $50,000 richer.
Stipe Miocic just made his future a lot brighter with a dominating win over UFC ranked #5 heavyweight Roy Nelson. The undersized Nelson was never in the fight with Stipe.
Miocic hadn’t fought in nine months, since getting knocked out by Stefan Struve, and both men took this fight on relatively short notice. Miocic controlled the grappling, avoided Nelson’s over hand right and tagged and moved over and again for three rounds, leaving “Big Country” gasping for air and unable to hold his arms up.
Bantamweight women Alexis Davis and Rosi Sexton put on a good scrap for three rounds. The Canadian Davis bested the British Sexton and won a unanimous decision.
The win is Davis’ third straight. Sexton’s loss snapped her own three fight win streak.
(No shoving? No forehead bumping? No repeated demands that one fighter treat the other like a bitch? Come on guys, you gotta give us *something* here. / Photo courtesy of MMAFighting.com)
The UFC makes its first stop in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, tonight, and yes, the lineup is somewhat garbage-ass. That’s what happens when you lose your original main event and then your co-main event due to injuries. But the show must go on, and we’ll be here liveblogging the pay-per-view broadcast all night, whether you join us or not. (Please join us. Please?)
Handling our play-by-play is Anthony Gannon, who will be stacking live results from the UFC 161 main card after the jump beginning at 10 p.m. ET. Refresh the page every few minutes for all the latest, and throw in your own analysis in the comments section.
(No shoving? No forehead bumping? No repeated demands that one fighter treat the other like a bitch? Come on guys, you gotta give us *something* here. / Photo courtesy of MMAFighting.com)
The UFC makes its first stop in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, tonight, and yes, the lineup is somewhat garbage-ass. That’s what happens when you lose your original main event and then your co-main event due to injuries. But the show must go on, and we’ll be here liveblogging the pay-per-view broadcast all night, whether you join us or not. (Please join us. Please?)
Handling our play-by-play is Anthony Gannon, who will be stacking live results from the UFC 161 main card after the jump beginning at 10 p.m. ET. Refresh the page every few minutes for all the latest, and throw in your own analysis in the comments section.
Good evening, Potato Nation. So far this fight weekend has been a winner. Last night’s WSOF event produced a leg kick TKO where the vic, Brian Cobb actually tried to call a time out; one of the nastiest rear naked chokes you’ll ever see by Steve Carl; and of course “The People’s Warrior” Josh Burkman did in 41 seconds what Demain Maia couldn’t do in 15 minutes – put Jon Fitch’s crooked Mohawk having ass to sleep. Oh yeah, one of our favorite fighters, Jacob “Dr. Feelgood” Volkmann got himself another decision win. Just don’t go calling it boring, you fat turd. Anyway, the point is that it was an entertaining event with spectacular finishes. It would be a tough act to follow – especially for this injury-riddled UFC card – if not for the probability that about 17 people actually watched it.
That filthy Gypsy who ravaged last year’s events is back in town, and as always she’s an unrelenting whore. Let’s just hope that moving forward this event is the exception rather than the rule. We lost the main event, Renan Barao vs Eddie Wineland due to a Barao foot injury. They claim it happened in training, but it’s quite possible he smacked his pinky toe stepping out of the shower and is just embarrassed to admit it. A training injury is sexier, of course, but we can all understand the horror of a stubbed toe. It’s a criminally underrated injury that hurts like a sumbitch. So if it was a stubbed toe, dammit admit it was a stubbed toe.
Then we lost Little Nog vs Shogun due to Nog’s back injury, or cowardice, depending on your view. Chael Sonnen volunteered to save the day once again, but could not travel to Canada due to visa complications likely stemming from his 2011 money laundering conviction. Whether he’s making fantastical claims, setting up schemes so elaborate that those who are in on it don’t even know they’re in on it, or plotting to buy an island, declare his own nation and recreate the world in his image, Sonnen has a way of stealing the show. Look at this, he’s not even on the card and I’m rambling on about him. That, ladies and gentlemen, is why he’s the American Gangster. Okay, that’s enough.
So we took some hits here, no big deal. Let us be optimists for a change. Studies have shown that gratitude is the key factor in determining happiness. And it’s true if you think about it. Just because your neighbor has a hot wife, a BMW, and a rockin’ crib, while you got old roofing shingles crashing down onto your Sanford and Son truck and a wife who’s desperately trying to get on the next season of The Biggest Loser, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be happy. Forget that prick, focus on all that you have and bask in the elixir of delusional wealth and success. It’s that simple. This is why the Bible has all that stuff in it about not coveting thy neighbor’s shit. So rather than mocking that which we’ve been denied, let us appreciate the bountiful fight card we do have. Yeah, I did just say that. And no, I don’t really buy it either.
So who will step up and save the day? Pat Barry and Shawn Jordan, perhaps? Barry had a real creepy smile on his face at the weigh-ins, looked like Pyle right before he blew away Gunny Hartman. Ryan Jimmo and Igor Pokrajac? Jimmo was rocking a creepy smile too, and he took way too long to disrobe, kind of like he was doing the crowd a favor by allowing them to view his statuesque physique and pencil eraser nipples. Maybe Alexis Davis and Rosi Sexton steal the show tonight. Or, maybe Rashad Evans decides that he actually likes having fans and abandons his 50 takedowns pledge.
You see, the fans used to consider Rashad, for lack of a better term, kind of a dick. It was always obvious he was a good guy, he just had a way about him that fans didn’t care for. It’s hard to explain. Some things, right or wrong, just paint a guy as a dick, like wearing a visor. That perception has changed somewhat over the past couple of years though. Sure, Rashad still catches some boos, but nothing on the scale of a few years back. It’s a tenuous arrangement, however. Another piss poor performance can turn us into haters again. Rashad needs to perform.
Dan Henderson, on the other hand, will always be loved. He’s a pimp. The dude is 42 years old, has some jacked up ears, and likes to knock bitches stupid. But the true key to Dan’s success is he rolls out to “Lunatic Fringe.” It’s just one of those inspirational songs with the power to put the grossly misguided idea in your head that the Joker can actually beat this animal in a wrestling match; just as the Rocky theme has the power to make an otherwise sensible person put on a stained-ass sweat shirt, guzzle some raw eggs, and run up a bunch of steps, even though that’s the surest route to simultaneously vomiting and shitting yourself.
You can check out all the undercard results here. And in case you were wondering, all that blood on the mat is from Sam Stout’s face.
Kicking off the action tonight we have Pat Barry vs Shawn Jordan.
You cannot deny the appeal of Pat Barry. Rarely will we see a 5-5 UFC fighter who gets as much love as Barry. The reasons are simple: he’s an affable dude who in ten Octagon appearances has only gone to decision once – a kill or be killed type. Not to mention that his presence on a card gives Rogan an incredible boner as he talks about Barry’s “thunderous” leg kicks, which will undoubtedly trigger a Goldberg response to Jordan’s collegiate football background and the fact that he once ran the 40 in 4.6. Yes, Goldy has a fascination with MMA fighters who once played other sports. Some years back he almost popped one off when commenting on the reason why it appears that Marvin Eastman has a football player’s build is in fact because he was a football player. So there ya have it.
Round 1: They touch gloves and it’s on. Barry with a hard high kick, blocked. Barry lands a short right, then a leg kick. Jordan charges forward with insane punches in bunches and holy shit he knocks Barry on his ass and finishes him!
A nice combo put Barry down, and about 20 lefts to the temple forced the ref to step in. Nice win for Jordan, a TKO at the 59 second mark of the first round.
Alexis Davis and Rosi Sexton are next.
So far the ladies have failed to disappoint in the Octagon. This one should be no different.
Props to Davis for coming out to Run DMC’s “It’s Tricky.”
Direct quote from my usually feminist girlfriend – “Fuck that bitch up!” Classy, right? Yeah she’s a keeper. I’ll make sure to remind her of this the next time she flips out after sitting me down for an excruciatingly long conversation about her emotional needs, and when it’s my turn to reveal my deepest intimacies all I can muster is, “more head.”
Round 1: Davis sticks a jab to start things off. Sexton with a good right. Davis tries an elbow, glances. Sexton responds with a right, eats a knee. High paced to start off. Davis lands a real good knee to the body. Sexton lands a few body shots. Davis going for a takedown, Sexton defending well. They’re against the cage working for position, now they split, and Sexton lands a left off the break. Sexton shoots, ends up with Davis on her back. Well that probably wasn’t the plan. Now Sexton is on her back in full guard looking for a triangle. She just locked it up. Sexton landing good shots to the face, but she’s still in that choke. Davis can’t finish it, now she loses it. And now she’s taking some shots to the grill. Got the triangle again, but it aint gonna work. The round ends that way. 10-9 Sexton
Round 2: They come out jabbing, both land. Now they clinch, Davis lands a knee and eats an elbow. Sexton presses Davis against the cage looking for a takedown. She got it, and is in side control. Davis is going for a leg, but instead decides to reverse and ends up on top, ends up in full guard. Davis drops a few shots down. So far Sexton doing a good job avoiding any major damage. Oh, but Davis sticks a decent elbow right on Sexton’s cheek. Now Davis is dropping successive punches down. Davis with a knee to the body, looking for a rear naked choke now. Davis only has one hook in, she let’s go. She’s got Sexton’s back, hooks in, and flattened her out. She’s dropping shots, now elbows, and Sexton will survive. 10-9 Davis
Round 3: Sexton opens with a left jab, Davis with a straight right. They trade a few decent shots center cage. Davis shoots, Sexton sprawls, goes for a leg, but Davis ends up taking her back. Uh oh, lot of time left. Body lock by Davis, looking for that rear naked. Softening Sexton up with punches to the chops. Sexton slips out, but now Davis is fishing for a triangle. Nothing doing , has to settle for full guard. Davis working a high guard. Sexton drops a few to the ribs. Davis doing a good job controlling Sexton’s posture, staying out of trouble. Davis rolls out, Sexton goes for her back, but loses it and ends up in bottom in guard. Davis drops a few to the body, and it ends with an up kick by Sexton. Close round. Could go either way. 10-9 Davis
The official decision is in: 29-28, 29-27, 29-28, Alexis Davis by unanimous decision.
Ryan Jimmo vs Igor Pokrajac is next.
Jimmo does the robot when he wins, and as far as I’m concerned that’s reason enough to root for him. Certain pantomime acts of yesteryear are universally banned and those who perpetuate them deserve to be tortured, such as anyone in this day and age who thinks it’s acceptable to “raise the roof.” It’s not. You see this shameless spectacle a lot with overweight women sitting in the crowd on daytime talk shows. I’m not sure if the producers of these shows encourage this sort of behavior, but it needs to end. Same applies to anyone who does the Arsenio fist pump. Double down on the severity of the torture if they also chant “woof, woof” while doing it. The robot, however, is timeless when properly done, especially when mixed with break dancing.
Igor rolls out to AC/DC, stoic as any self-respecting Croatian should be.
Damn, Jimmo responds with John Fogerty. Respect!
Round 1: Jimmo opens with a leg kick. Igor with a right. Jimmo pushes Igor against the cage, working some knees to the thigh. Wow, Yves Lavigne breaks them up with the quickness. They clinch again. Yves breaks them up yet again. Yves aint havin’ this shit today, man. Jimmo with a good jab. Igor charges in, ducks a punch, and clinches. Jimmo with a few short shots. They get separated again. And they clinch. Igor grabs a neck, Jimmo pops it out. They break and Jimmo sticks an elbow. The clinch again. Jimmo has under hooks but doesn’t seem to be looking for a takedown. Yves busts them up again. Igor with a high kick, misses by a mile. Leg kick by Jimmo. Igor charging in, eats a shot. They trade jabs. Igor with a combination, then lands a solid right. Jimmo with one of his own. They clinch again and the round ends. 10-9 Jimmo
Round 2: Jimmo opems with an inside leg kick. Igor stalking. Jimmo lands a big right, drops Igor. He descends, but Igor gets up. Jimmo takes him down. Jimmo working some decent ground and pound, nothing too devastating. Jimmo’s cornermen are giving him instructions. Igor has a message for them, “Blah, blah, blah.” Igor lands a few shots from bottom position. Jimmo still working the ground and pound, still not landing anything all too significant, although he is winning the round. They’re kinda stalled, and Yves is nowhere to be found. Jimmo with some short elbows. Igor with a couple damn good shots from the bottom and sticks an up kick. Jimmo moves to side control. The round ends. 10-9 Jimmo.
Round 3: Igor lands a good right to the jaw, Jimmo walks through it and clinches. Igor with a nice trip takedown, but he gets reversed and Jimmo is on top in guard. Maybe this round Yves will remember that he’s allowed to stand them up when there’s nothing happening. The crowd is starting to get restless. Jimmo lands a couple good shots, getting active now. Igor going for a guillotine. Jimmo is free. More short elbows from the top. Igor gets up, and here comes the clinch. Yves breaks them up. Dude don’t like the clinch apparently. Pretty bad fight, audience is letting them have it. 10-9 Jimmo
The decision is 30-27 across the board, Ryan Jimmo by unanimous decision. Unfortunately that performance does not warrant the robot.
Roy Nelson and Stipe Miocic are up next.
It’s great that Roy’s been knocking dudes out lately, but I kinda miss the days when he would take a guy down and smother him with his unctuous bosom. Legend has it Roy would stuff a week-old tuna melt under the flap to intensify the suffering. Sly, Big Country. Very sly.
Stipe is a good wrestler/boxer who is looking to find his groove in the heavyweight division. He rolls out to some indiscernible hip hop in a simple t-shirt and a backwards hat. No frills kinda guy, Stipe is.
Big Country comes out to “We Will Rock You” looking about as unkempt as a guy can look walking into the Octagon.
Round 1: Roy misses an uppercut, eats a left. Roy looks like he’s trying to force the overhand right. Stipe with a right. Roy lands one of his own, then a kick. Jab by Stipe. Roy misses the overhand, and eats a nasty combo from Stipe. Roy fakes a shot, eats a right for it. Roy hard to the body. Then eats another combo. Stipe with a nice knee. Uppercut by Roy, misses. Roy lands the right. Tries it again, misses. Stipe lands a good jab, and is peppering Roy up with elbows and punches. Now an uppercut lands. He’s kicking Roy’s ass. Roy clinches, and they separate with nothing happening. The round ends with a Big Country leg kick. 10-9 Stipe
Roy’s cornerman screams at him to get his shit together.
Round 2: Stipe with a powerful right, then a knee. Oof, he lands another good combo. And another. Stipe is crisp tonight. It doesn’t hurt than Roy is already exhausted. Roy throws two rights in a row, definitely forcing them now. Roy is getting beat up again now. Stipe with a couple short elbows in the clinch. Stipe shoots, Roy defends. But Stipe then lands a body kick, then a left jab. Roy paws a couple jabs out there, misses. They trade right hands. Stipe continues to land jabs, but Roy finally lands something solid with an uppercut. Roy is huffing and puffing. Stipe with another jab, then a good straight right. It ends with Roy plodding forward with his arms up looking for a fight. 10-9 Stipe
Round 3: Two jabs followed by a left for Stipe. He lands a good right. And another jab. Leg kick by Stipe, Roy misses a right. Stipe with a right, Roy responds with one of his own but it don’t have much on it. Roy charges forward and misses about five different strikes. Roy with a decent right. Stipe gets a takedown, Roy gets up. They clinch against the cage, and Stipe is working the body. The ref separates them. Roy lands a good uppercut. Good combo by Stipe, and he’s tooling Roy. They clinch again, and Roy looks like he’d rather be somewhere else. It ends, and that’s a bad performance for Roy to go into free agency on.
30-27 across the board for Stipe Miocic.
It’s main event time, Dan Henderson vs Rashad Evans, and these guys really need to save the day here.
Rashad said of Henderson, “He beats everyone. He beats em good too. He just knocks em the hell out, and they sleep for a long time.” I’m not sure why but I find that to be one of the best quotes I’ve ever heard.
Both these guys are coming off shitty losses in horrible fights – Henderson to Machida and Rashad to Little Nog. They could both use the W, no doubt, but they also need impressive showings to stay relevant in the division.
And of course Dan doesn’t come out to “Lunatic Fringe.” Bad sign. Instead he chooses some country western shit.
Round 1: Here we go. Feeling each other out to start. Rashad with a jab to open up. Hendo wades in, gets backed up by a shot. Rashad goes for takedown #1, fails. Rashad with a real nice left. Hendo misses a right. Rashad attempts another takedown, Hendo stuffs it. Now they’re clinched, and they separate without much happening. Hendo misses an overhand right. Jab by Rashad. Great jab by Hendo drops Rashad, he’s rocked. Hendo goes after him, but Rashad seems recovered. Hendo misses a big right to end the round. 10-9 Hendo simply for landing the only significant strike.
Round 2: Rashad opens with a left jab. He gets a takedown, but Hendo is up with Rashad on his back. Hendo straightens things out, and they’re working against the cage. Hendo with a knee to the body. They separate, and Rashad lands a right. Hendo with a knee. They exchange, both landing glancing blows. Straight right misses by Hendo. Rashad with a big right, Hendo ducks it. They trade jabs. Another takedown attempt by Rashad stuffed. Rashad lands a decent combo, then goes for another takedown, can’t get it. Hendo charges in, Rashad backs up and the round ends. Tough one to score. 10-9 Rashad
Round 3: They touch and it’s on. Rashad with a left jab. Hendo wades in and misses a left hook. Rashad comes in and eats a big right, but then responds with a nasty combo that stuns Hendo. Then a jab by Rashad. Hendo with an overhand right, Rashad easily avoids it. Rashad shoots for a single leg, Hendo defends so Rashad pushes him into the cage and looks to be working toward another takedown attempt. Hendo with a couple knees to the body. Rashad goes to the body. They separate. Nice stiff jab by Rashad. Dan closes distance, and they clinch again. Rashad with a few shots, Hendo with a knee. Rashad drops for a leg, nothing doing. Hendo responds with an elbow. This is a grueling round, Hendo looks miserable. Dan misses a huge right, Rashad ends with a jab. 10-9 Rashad
The official decision is in, and it’s 29-28, 29-28, 29-28 and the split decision goes to Rashad Evans
Okay, I’ll say it. Overall that was a pretty suck ass event. Thanks for checking in. I’m out. It’s time for a drink.
(Not pictured: Anything Fallon Fox has actually done in the cage.)
Let me make one thing clear from the very beginning: I’m not trying to say that it wasn’t newsworthy — even inspirational — when Fallon Foxfirst came out as a transgender MMA fighter. Transgender individuals are extremely prone to harassment, discrimination, violence and bigoted stereotyping — all tragically evident by looking at the Facebook posts and tweets that have been directed at Fox since she came out roughly one month ago. I am in full support of her rights to be socially acknowledged and treated as any other woman would be treated outside of the cage.
Yet during this past month, Fallon Fox has received more attention for simply existing (she’s 0-0 since coming out) than most professionals have received for actually fighting. We’ve seen numerous fighters come forward to offer their opinions on whether or not Fox should be allowed to compete against women. Some have managed to do so in a reasonable, intelligent manner. Others have spoken about “it” as if she isn’t even human. For that matter, even people who aren’t MMA fighters have expressed a willingness to compete against her.
Mind you, this was all before Matt Mitrione called Fox “a lying, sick, sociopathic, disgusting freak” on Monday’s edition of “The MMA Hour,” earning him an indefinite suspension from the UFC.
Despite the punishment, UFC fighters are still willing to discuss Fallon Fox — who, let’s remember, doesn’t even fight in the UFC — with reporters. Yesterday, The New York Post published an interview with one of the most talented, popular, and accomplished female fighters of all time, Ronda Rousey. A total of zero questions had anything to do with Rousey’s own future in the sport, instead focusing on how she feels about potentially fighting Fallon Fox:
“She can try hormones, chop her pecker off, but it’s still the same bone structure a man has,” Rousey told The Post. “It’s an advantage. I don’t think it’s fair.”
(Not pictured: Anything Fallon Fox has actually done in the cage.)
Let me make one thing clear from the very beginning: I’m not trying to say that it wasn’t newsworthy — even inspirational — when Fallon Foxfirst came out as a transgender MMA fighter. Transgender individuals are extremely prone to harassment, discrimination, violence and bigoted stereotyping — all tragically evident by looking at the Facebook posts and tweets that have been directed at Fox since she came out roughly one month ago. I am in full support of her rights to be socially acknowledged and treated as any other woman would be treated outside of the cage.
Yet during this past month, Fallon Fox has received more attention for simply existing (she’s 0-0 since coming out) than most professionals have received for actually fighting. We’ve seen numerous fighters come forward to offer their opinions on whether or not Fox should be allowed to compete against women. Some have managed to do so in a reasonable, intelligent manner. Others have spoken about “it” as if she isn’t even human. For that matter, even people who aren’t MMA fighters have expressed a willingness to compete against her.
Mind you, this was all before Matt Mitrione called Fox “a lying, sick, sociopathic, disgusting freak” on Monday’s edition of “The MMA Hour,” earning him an indefinite suspension from the UFC.
Despite the punishment, UFC fighters are still willing to discuss Fallon Fox — who, let’s remember, doesn’t even fight in the UFC — with reporters. Yesterday, The New York Post published an interview with one of the most talented, popular, and accomplished female fighters of all time, Ronda Rousey. A total of zero questions had anything to do with Rousey’s own future in the sport, instead focusing on how she feels about potentially fighting Fallon Fox:
“She can try hormones, chop her pecker off, but it’s still the same bone structure a man has,” Rousey told The Post. “It’s an advantage. I don’t think it’s fair.”
Rousey said Mitrione worded his views “extremely poorly” and believes the UFC was justified in suspending the heavyweight fighter. But she thinks his sentiments came from the right place. In Rousey’s opinion, Mitrione believes Fox is still a man, who wants to beat up women for a living.
“I understand the UFC doesn’t want to be associated with views like that,” Rousey said. “I’m also glad they didn’t straight cut him.”
Speaking of questionable word choices, I can’t help but feel that her usage of the word “pecker” is going to create an overreaction among the mainstream media outlets. But I digress.
It’s right around now — when accomplished athletes such as Ronda Rousey and Alexis Davis are fielding questions about Fallon Fox instead of their own careers — that we in the MMA media need to stop and ask ourselves what we’re actually doing. Are we really respecting a woman’s right to be treated as any other female, or are we treating Fallon Fox like a sideshow and milking her transgender status for as many page views as we can get?
Because — let’s be honest — if we’re truly concerned with treating Fallon Fox the way that we’d treat any other woman, we wouldn’t continue to force her name into interviews and conference calls. As Jonathan Snowden recently argued, Fox is a thirty-seven year old fighter competing in a small-time, regional promotion that even most hardcore MMA fans wouldn’t recognize. She is 2-0 in her professional career, but has yet to fight an opponent who has actually won a professional bout. She has not been offered a contract by the UFC, Invicta, or Bellator. This is all to say that she hasn’t accomplished anything yet that justifies the non-stop media attention that she has received for the past month.
Giving Fox undue attention over her transgender status isn’t embracing her so much as it’s exploiting her. Forcing her into conversations with UFC Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez isn’t being tolerant, it’s being a carnival barker — we’re emphasizing what makes her different in hopes of generating reactions from other people. Emphasizing her reputation over her skills and accomplishments wades into Kimbo Slice territory; that’s bound to make the fans’ reactions that much more harsh when she actually loses. Also, when former UFC heavyweight Sean McCorkle starts looking for ways to involve himself in this story by taking credit for Mitrione’s suspension-earning jokes, it’s safe to say that we’re no longer coming from a place of acceptance.
This doesn’t mean it’s wrong to make the distinction between Fallon Fox the woman and Fallon Fox the fighter. As of now, there is no conclusive evidence that transgender females do not have unfair competitive advantages over their opponents. There is research that suggests that unfair advantages exist. There is also research that suggests they do not. Another “MMA fighter says Fox has/doesn’t have a competitive advantage” article isn’t going to bring anything new to the discussion.
But you know what will bring something new to the discussion? The result of her fight against Allana Jones on May 24th. After that we might be able to gauge what kind of future — if any — she has in our sport. We’ll be able to publish a story about Fox that’s actually pertinent to what she has been doing in the cage. And if we’re truly concerned with treating her as an equal, we can hold off on cramming her into our headlines until then.
Of all the attempts to exploit female MMA fighters for their looks, the above photo of Alexis Davis might be the most confusing. I mean, she’s clearly an attractive woman to those of us with non-Internet standards, but did the photographer responsible for this realize that WMMA is not Foxy Boxing? If you want to do a sexy photo shoot showcasing the “feminine” side of a female fighter (makeup, hurr did, etc.), then do a sexy photo shoot. If you want to showcase your female fighter as a female fighter, then have her throw on the gloves and maybe hit some heavy bags like you would with anyone else. Combining the two just seems…impractical and kind of counterproductive to the whole “we are more than just a pretty face” WMMA ideology, does it not?
Anyway, I’ll get off my soapbox to pass along the news that Davis has just been booked to take on wrestling powerhouse and qualified osteopathRosi Sexton at UFC 161 in June. According to the UFC, the fight will air on the pay-per-view portion of the card that already features Shogun vs. Lil’ Nog II and Rashad Evans vs. Dan Henderson (man, Hendo appears to just be rolling in it these days).
Of all the attempts to exploit female MMA fighters for their looks, the above photo of Alexis Davis might be the most confusing. I mean, she’s clearly an attractive woman to those of us with non-Internet standards, but did the photographer responsible for this realize that WMMA is not Foxy Boxing? If you want to do a sexy photo shoot showcasing the “feminine” side of a female fighter (makeup, hurr did, etc.), then do a sexy photo shoot. If you want to showcase your female fighter as a female fighter, then have her throw on the gloves and maybe hit some heavy bags like you would with anyone else. Combining the two just seems…impractical and kind of counterproductive to the whole “we are more than just a pretty face” WMMA ideology, does it not?
Anyway, I’ll get off my soapbox to pass along the news that Davis has just been booked to take on wrestling powerhouse and qualified osteopathRosi Sexton at UFC 161 in June. According to the UFC, the fight will air on the pay-per-view portion of the card that already features Shogun vs. Lil’ Nog II and Rashad Evans vs. Dan Henderson (man, Hendo appears to just be rolling in it these days).
A veteran of the sport since 2007, Davis is riding back-to-back submission victories over Hitomi Akano and Shayna Baszler at Invicta 2 and Invicta 4, respectively. Her battle with Sarah Kaufman at Strikeforce: Tate vs. Rousey easily ranked among the top 10 fights of 2012, if not the top 5, so expect her to put on a show against Sexton, who has collected three straight victories under the Cage Warriors Fighting Championship banner dating back to 2010.
Featuring a headlining interim bantamweight title fight between Renan Barao and Eddie Wineland, UFC 161 is scheduled for June 15th in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
