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)
(Joanne Calderwood vs. Ashley Cummins. Fight starts at the 1:35 mark. Someone nearly shits their pants around the 4:45 mark.)
Over the past several months, we’ve heard a lot of hoopla regarding the plight of women’s MMA and the lighter weight classes in general. According to some self-proclaimed experts, these fighters stand next to no chance of providing exciting finishes because of their “frail bones” and their “cabbage fingers” and their “lady parts that prevent them from committing gruesome acts of beautiful violence.” And while it should be noted that I normally obtain most of this expert testimony during my weekly NO MA’AM meetings, I must admit that the ladies of Invicta Fighting Championships are pretty much shattering every pre-conceived notion that one could have when approaching women’s MMA or the lighter weight classes. Last weekend’s Invicta FC 3 event did not stray far from the pattern established by the firsttwo events, which is to say, it delivered exciting fights and brutal finishes from top to bottom.
In the evening’s main event, submission specialist and general hottie Jessica Penne made history by becoming the promotion’s first champion in the atomweight class, controlling the previously number one ranked atomweight Naho Sugiyama easily before submitting her midway through the second round with a slick triangle choke. Penne improved to 10-1 as a professional with the win and likely set up a showdown between herself and “The Karate Hottie” Michelle Waterson, who picked up a hard fought split-decision win over Lacey Schuckman earlier in the evening, down the line. I’m not saying I will be watching that fight with ulterior motives, but I am saying that I will be watching it alone. With the curtains closed. With no pants on.
After the jump: A boatload of fight videos from the event, including Shayna Baszler’s domination of Sarah D’Alelio, Stephanie Frausto’s lightning quick submission over Amy Davis, and Julia Budd’s brutal beatdown of Danielle West.
(Joanne Calderwood vs. Ashley Cummins. Fight starts at the 1:35 mark. Someone nearly shits their pants around the 4:45 mark.)
Over the past several months, we’ve heard a lot of hoopla regarding the plight of women’s MMA and the lighter weight classes in general. According to some self-proclaimed experts, these fighters stand next to no chance of providing exciting finishes because of their “frail bones” and their “cabbage fingers” and their “lady parts that prevent them from committing gruesome acts of beautiful violence.” And while it should be noted that I normally obtain most of this expert testimony during my weekly NO MA’AM meetings, I must admit that the ladies of Invicta Fighting Championships are pretty much shattering every pre-conceived notion that one could have when approaching women’s MMA or the lighter weight classes. Last weekend’s Invicta FC 3 event did not stray far from the pattern established by the firsttwo events, which is to say, it delivered exciting fights and brutal finishes from top to bottom.
In the evening’s main event, submission specialist and general hottie Jessica Penne made history by becoming the promotion’s first champion in the atomweight class, controlling the previously number one ranked atomweight Naho Sugiyama easily before submitting her midway through the second round with a slick triangle choke. Penne improved to 10-1 as a professional with the win and likely set up a showdown between herself and “The Karate Hottie” Michelle Waterson, who picked up a hard fought split-decision win over Lacey Schuckman earlier in the evening, down the line. I’m not saying I will be watching that fight with ulterior motives, but I am saying that I will be watching it alone. With the curtains closed. With no pants on.
She may have only improved her record to an even .500 on Saturday night, but the little sister of Zoila Gurgel did not waste anytime establishing herself as a legitimate threat in the atomweight division with a quick guillotine victory over Amy Davis. From the opening bell this one was all Frausto, who rushed across the cage and started hurling leather like she was running late for her own funeral. After securing an easy trip takedown, Frausto peppered Davis up with shots, latched on a tight guillotine, and it was good night, Irene.
God, I hate myself for using that phrase. I’m going to chalk this one up to the lack of an edit button.
Julia Budd has suffered perhaps the two most brutal losses that any professional athlete ever could. In her second Strikeforce Challengers appearance, Budd was hammerfisted into oblivion by Amanda Nunes in just 14 seconds. Two fights later, she became Ronda Rousey armbar victim number #4. Needless to say, the woman has been through some tough times. But it’s good to see that she can take it as well as she can dish it out, because she may very well have beaten the last remaining fucks given out of Danielle “The Honey Badger” West in their main card-opening bout. The first couple minutes were mainly held in the clinch as the two ladies jockeyed for position, but as soon as Budd managed to get the fight to the ground, elbows and fists fell like buckets of paint in a Home Alone movie. The end came shortly thereafter, and Budd finally managed to end up on the right side of a highlight reel.
In the evening’s co-main event, Strikeforce veteran Shayna Baszler opened an entire case of whoop ass on Sarah D’Alelio, utilizing her superior ground game to constantly threaten D’Alelio with submissions from the top. Though D’Alelio would gamely defend her attempts for the entirety of the first round, she would fall victim to a rear-naked choke early in the second. Although the finish was nice, my personal favorite moment of the fight came with 10 seconds remaining in the first round, wherein Bazler delivered some of the most painful looking stomps to the Achilles tendon that you will ever see. Lordy.
We’ve posted the videos of the Waterson/Schuckman, Porto/LaRosa, and Young/Smith II fights along with the full results below. If you’re interested in checking out all of the fights from last weekend, head over to MMAWeekly for a full rundown.
Michelle Waterson vs. Lacey Schuckman
Tara Larosa vs. Vanessa Porto
Kaitlin Young vs. Leslie Smith II
Full Results
Jessica Penne def. Naho Sugiyama by submission (triangle) at 2:20 of round 2
Shayna Bazler def. Sarah D’Alelio by submission (RNC) at 0:48 of round 2
Leslie Smith def. Kaitlin Young by referee stoppage (mounted crucifix) at 2:19 of round 2
Barb Honchak def. Aisling Daly by unanimous decision
Vanessa Porto def. Tara LaRosa by unanimous decision
Cat Zingano def. Raquel Pennington by submission (RNC) at 3:32 of round 2
Michelle Waterson def. Lacey Schuckman by split decision
Julia Budd def. Danielle West by TKO at 2:32 of round one
Carla Esparza def. Lynn Alvarez by TKO at 2:53 of round one
Joanne Calderwood def. Ashley Cummins by KO (knee to body) at 3:13 of round one
Stephanie Frausto def. Amy Davis by submission (guillotine) at 0:48 of round one
Jessamyn Duke def. Marciea Allen by submission (armbar) at 4:42 of round one
Tecia Torres def. Kaiyana Rain by unanimous decision
Ediene Gomes def. Katalina Malungahu by submission (rear naked choke) at 4:19 of round one
What up, Potato Nation, it’s your boy ReX13 here at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall in Kansas City, ready to watch some ladies fight. I realize some of you have dirty-ass opinions about women’s MMA, and to you assholes I say this: I think there’s an NBA game on or something. Is the NFL draft still on? How’d my Carolina Panthers do? Actually, don’t answer that, just exit stage left. For the rest of you, let’s party: we got a badass card to watch.
Since the whole thing is streaming for free right here, I’m going to forego an actual play-by-play and just drop observations as the night goes on. I’m also ready to grab snapshots and video of the things you can’t see, so expect butt shots of Natasha Wicks. I’m all for girl power, but I also know what my Nation likes.
One more note: they are trying to disable the media with a light show and deafening dubstep. Pray for me.
Come on in, the show starts at 8pm ET. Until then, feel free to tweet your best #BadPickUpLinesAtInvictaFC at me, because I’m immature.
No way I’m not using this picture again.
What up, Potato Nation, it’s your boy ReX13 here at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall in Kansas City, ready to watch some ladies fight. I realize some of you have dirty-ass opinions about women’s MMA, and to you assholes I say this: I think there’s an NBA game on or something. Is the NFL draft still on? How’d my Carolina Panthers do? Actually, don’t answer that, just exit stage left. For the rest of you, let’s party: we got a badass card to watch.
Since the whole thing is streaming for free right here, I’m going to forego an actual play-by-play and just drop observations as the night goes on. I’m also ready to grab snapshots and video of the things you can’t see, so expect butt shots of Natasha Wicks. I’m all for girl power, but I also know what my Nation likes.
One more note: they are trying to disable the media with a light show and deafening dubstep. Pray for me.
Come on in, the show starts at 8pm ET. Until then, feel free to tweet your best #BadPickUpLinesAtInvictaFC at me, because I’m immature.
“Sassy” Cassie Rodish vs Meghan “The Babe” Wright
Getting started with some undercard action at 105 pounds, a class we call “atomweight”. I think atomweight sounds pretty damn cool.
No glove touch, they mean business. A few hooks thrown but Rodish wades in for a front headlock and ragdolls Wright to the ground, up against the cage. It takes all of thirty-sex seconds for Cassie Rodish to secure a guillotine and get the tap.
Ashley “Smashley” Cummins vs Sofia Bagherdai
Bagherdai was unable to make weight yesterday, and she’s visibly larger and stronger today. Smashley ain’t care; she’s got my favorite mean mug since ever and she’s got the tenacity of a pit bull. Bagherdai has reach and strength, but Cummins just doesn’t stop, uh, comin’. Bagherdai’s accuracy leaves something to be desired, and I have a feeling no one really hits her hard in the gym. Cummins stays in her face through three, working for takedowns and returning fire with four and five-punch combos. I’ve got Smashley for all three rounds, but I’m still partially blind and deaf from the light show and club music. The judges mostly agree with me though: Cummins takes a unanimous decision.
Randi Miller vs “Miss” Mollie Estes
Pay attention, Nation: this is an Olympic athlete making her debut. Miller has postponed her first match a few times, but she’s here to frate train some local talent. If she does well, we’ll try to figure out a nickname.
Ok, maybe I sold Estes short — the fight doesn’t end as soon as the fighters clinch. Estes does a fantastic job of staying on her feet, working short elbows and a series of knees in the clinch. Meanwhile, Miller tries to finish a takedown, and she looks like she should just roll over her like a tank. She manages to get the fight to the canvas in the second, but she’s unable to finish Estes, who manages to neutralize much of Miller’s offense until the last thirty seconds of the round. Miller finishes to round in full mount on Estes, but can’t finish. Round three starts with two exhausted fighters going on heart. Estes has turned bright red, and Miller eventually manages to secure the takedown, and rains down some hammerfists. Estes is wiped out, and the ref has seen enough. Randi Miller wins her debut at 3:24 of the third via TKO (referee’s stoppage due to strikes).
Sarah “The KO Kid” Maloy vs Michele “Diablita” Gutierrez
These women want to throw leather — from Missouri. (It’s across the river.) Lot of fighting at looooooong range through the first two rounds, while my laptop says “fuckitall” and starts looking up computer porn or something. I have a 10-10 first and a Maloy second. Third round is fought a little closer, but mostly they seem hesitant to engage. They wait for the ten-second warning, then start scrapping. For reals? Probably Maloy by a hair, but I think they shouldn’t keep fighting until one of these ladies gets hit. Judges see it unanimously for Sarah “The KO Kid” Maloy, and I hate the DJ SO HARD. Music just got stupid loud for no apparent reason, and I’m going to dropkick the speaker array next to press row.
Nicdali “The Night Queen” Rivera-Calanoc vs Amy “Little Dynamite” Davis
These two took that cute “just a couple of BFFs” weigh-in picture, but they waste no time getting to business. Davis threatens with a triangle early, but can’t finish. She’s got some good boxing, but nothing big happens outside of messing up Rivera-Calanoc’s hair. They continue the grappling contest in the second, and the end starts with Rivera-Calanoc hitting a takedown against the cage. Davis manages to snare her opponent in a crucifix and throw some punches, loses it, and notices an arm just hanging out there. With Rivera-Calanoc’s elbows so far from her body, it’s easy work for Davis to get wrist control and torque out for a kimura, getting the tap. Amy Davis defeats Nicdali Rivera-Calanoc via submission (which the announcer calls a kimura choke — awesome?) at 3:47 of round 2.
“Slick” Sally Krumdiack vs Sarah “The White Tiger” Schneider
Schneider comes out to a song she wrote and performed herself, so keep your comments to yourself, ALF. Wow. Schneider was motivated to fight in her hometwon, and she never gave Krumdiack a chance. Schneider popped her right off the bat, and pulled guard after a bit of clinchwork in the Krumdiack corner. Schneider throws a beautiful triangle-armbar combo, and Krumdiack has no choice but to tap. That is a Tiger not to fuck with. Sarah “The White Tiger” Schneider defeats “Slick” Sally Krumdiack via submission (armbar) at 3:01 of the first round.
Sarah “The Monster” D’Alelio vs Vanessa Mariscal
Fuck yes Vanessa Mariscal is coming out to “The Shortest Straw”, and while I’m supposed to be neutral, I hope she rips off D’Alelio’s head off and shits down her neck. Then I change my mind because TOOL YOU GUYS HOLY FUCK THESE CHICKS ARE BADASS. Insiders think this one will be bananas. First round is a lot of D’Alelio on Mariscal’s back. Mariscal, a short-notice injury replacement, stays cool and plays defense, and lasts out the round. Round two starts with some stand and wang, but D’Alelio gets Mariscal’s back again, looking for a way to put the fight away. She looks for an RNC, but decides just ground and pound will do. The ref agrees, apparently, stopping the fight — perhaps a bit early, but Mariscal doesn’t seem too upset with the stoppage. Sarah “The Monster” D’Alelio defeats Vanessa Mariscal via TKO (referee’s stoppage due to strikes) at 3:19 of round 2.
Kaitlin Young vs Leslie “The Peacemaker” Smith
It’s two rounds of kickboxing so far, and these women are throwing ten-piece combos like they’re KFC. Yes, i’m getting lazy. Whatever, I wasn’t supposed to be doing a play by play anyway. (five minutes later…) That was three rounds of throwdown, ladies and gentlemen, now somebody tell me how chicks are boring again. Amazing showing by both fighters. Wish they could both win, but Kaitlin Young vs Leslie “Peacemaker” Smith is declared a SPLIT DRAW. I had Smith winning, but I guess I can watch it again to decide later. What say you, Nation?
Liz “The Girl-Rilla” Carmouche vs Ashleigh Curry
Bell rings, and it looks like Carmouche sticks Curry with a long straight punch before cramming her against the cage and taking her down. It doesn’t take long for Carmouche to work to mount, and lays down the ground and pound. Curry is completely lost on the ground, and the ref cuts the fight shortly after. Liz “The Girl-Rilla” Carmouche defeats Ashleigh Curry via TKO (referee’s stoppage due to strike) at 1:58 of the first round.
Side note: Ran into Cris Cyborg during the intermission. He’s really nice when he’s not roiding his tits off.
Jessica Penne vs Lisa Ellis
This is a fight that should have happened in Bellator, but Zoila Frausto fucked it all up. Should be good. Winner here makes a good argument for a top spot at 105. Penne has skills, but she seems lacking in killer instinct. She is the only person I’ve seen secure a crucifix from the bottom like that, though. My god, this back and forth. As they start the third, it’s an even fight until Ellis catches a knee on the nose coming out of a clinch, and blood starts pouring like a faucet. Ellis does her best to fight, but the blood is affecting her vision, plus I bet that hurts like a bitch. Once Penne gets a superior position, it’s pretty much over. Jessica Penne defeats Lisa Ellis via TKO (referee’s stoppage due to strikes) at 2:48 of the third round.
Now being announced:Shayna Baszler vs Sarah McMann at the next Invicta card. That’s some good matchmaking, kids.
Side note: I’m ready to burn down this DJ’s house, with her and her cats in it.
Time for the main event!
Marloes “Rumina” Coenen vs Romy Ruyssen
Coenen is hyped and ready to fight coming into the cage. These two appear to dislike one another a bit. They start with a little rangefinding, and clinch against the fence for some knees. Referee stops the action to dock Ruyssen a point for grabbing the cage (?). Ruyssen seems angry and willing to scrap, but I’m not seeing her as the high-level competition that Coenen deserves. I say that, but after three rounds Coenen has been unable to put her opponent away, so what the fuck do I know? Certainly, Ruyssen’s standup leaves much to be desired. We’ll go top the judges for a decision: Marloes “Rumina” Coenen defeats Romy Ruyssen via unanimous decision. Who’s next for the default 145 champ?
Ok, Nation, I’m off to get some interviews (hopefully) and whatever kind of post-fight presser I can find. Thanks for coming up, ya’ll, I’ll holler.
I don’t know how you have a staredown with a French accent, but I’m pretty sure Romy Ruyssen (right) is doing it.
So let’s get this out of the way: I live in Kansas.
No, I don’t know what the hell a jayhawk is. I’m not actually from here.
Anyways, Invicta Fighting Championships is going down just a short drive away in Kansas City, so I was quick to accept when I was offered a chance to be a member of the fight media for the inaugural Invicta FC card.
There were a few hiccups at the weigh-ins: for some reason, they did not set up a raised platform for me to set up upon. As a result my pictures and video were of decidedly low quality. (As a recompense, please enjoy a few pictures courtesy of Invicta’s own photographer, Esther Lin.)
I don’t know how you have a staredown with a French accent, but I’m pretty sure Romy Ruyssen (right) is doing it.
So let’s get this out of the way: I live in Kansas.
No, I don’t know what the hell a jayhawk is. I’m not actually from here.
Anyways, Invicta Fighting Championships is going down just a short drive away in Kansas City, so I was quick to accept when I was offered a chance to be a member of the fight media for the inaugural Invicta FC card.
There were a few hiccups at the weigh-ins: for some reason, they did not set up a raised platform for me to set up upon. As a result my pictures and video were of decidedly low quality. (As a recompense, please enjoy a few pictures courtesy of Invicta’s own guest photographer, Esther Lin.)
Nicdali Rivera-Calanoc and Amy Davis are going to the death, bro.
Four of twenty-two fighters missed weight, despite the emphasis Invicta co-founders Shannon Knapp and Janet Martin have have placed on establishing weight classes and staying away from catchweights. Notably, Romy Ruyssen had a brutal cut, weighing in first at 150.4 pounds for her featherweight bout with Marloes Coenen.
Randi Miller, an Olympic wrestling medalist making her debut, also missed weight, also coming in five pounds (4.8, whatever) for a 145 pound bout. For full results, check out my boy Rob Sargent at MMARising.com.
Hopefully, with a little stability in weight classes the women will be able to stop yo-yoing their body weights in order to get fights, and reliably make weight.
Liz “The Girl-Rilla” Carmouche vs vs Ashleigh Curry, photobomb by Manolo Hernandez, coach of Team Hurricane Awesome.
“is watching an all lady Weigh-in Hot?” Yes if you’re the type to get a holocaust boner.
There, now you’re going to Hell, too.
Now, maybe Sarah “Big Monster” D’Alelio had a calculated makeover to make her appear more likely to sting you with a left jab and punt you in the neck — but it’s kinda working.
Best #BadPickUpLinesAtInvictaFC (so far):
@12ozCurls: You look really good after you’ve cut all that weight, can I buy you a glass of water?
@Jay_Spaceman: You’ve got great hands. I bet they make a mean sandwich.
Looks like a fun night of fights tomorrow. Make sure you tune-in; I might do something crazy and wind up in the broadcast.
She doesn’t mind controversy in general, really. Something has to bring attention to women’s MMA and, at least the way Rousey sees it, all the fighters trying to out-nice each other isn’t going to do it.
“My goal is not the be the most liked girl in women’s MMA,” Rousey told Ariel Helwani on Tuesday’s edition of The MMA Hour. “I want to be the most talked about girl in women’s MMA. If there’s a lot of controversy, people saying I suck, I’m cocky, or it was a good fight or an amazing move — as long as there’s polarizing opinions and people want to discuss it.”
Rousey, who won an Olympic bronze medal in women’s judo in the 2008 Beijing games, improved her MMA record to 3-0 with a first-round armbar victory over D’Alelio on August 12. Referee Steve Mazzagatti’s stoppage at the 25-second mark of the bout drew immediate criticism, as D’Alelio clearly didn’t tap to the submission.
After the bout, D’Alelio admitted that she’d made some verbal indication of pain when Rousey jumped into the armbar, and that was apparently good enough to bring the bout to a halt.
“I think the referee was right to stop the fight,” Rousey said. “They tell you the second that you walk in, like right before you walk in, they tell you, ‘If you’re in a submission, anything verbal, like if you yell or scream or anything like that we’ll call the fight.’ So she was very aware that that was the case. It’s not like she didn’t know that that was the rule or something like that, because they literally tell you right before you walk out.”
In case you couldn’t tell, Rousey isn’t one to hold her tongue, nor is she aiming to be the Ms. Congeniality of the women’s MMA world. She had enough of that on the U.S. Olympic judo squad, she said, and she doesn’t think it helps raise her profile or that of the sport to do it now.
“When I was in the Olympics and I was representing the United States I had to be very proper, like, yes, this is the right thing to say and I won’t say anything about how I think [George] Bush is a retard,” Rousey said. “I’m just going to go say what they want me to say and look bright and shiny and go win.
“But doing MMA, you’re representing yourself. You’re not representing your country. I feel like what women’s MMA needs is not some nice girl. Everyone’s playing the nice card and they’re not willing to go under any kind of criticism and I really feel that that’s not what we need if we want to get as much exposure as possible. We need someone more like a Tito Ortiz-type personality — not that I’m trying to be that much of a d–k, no offense to Tito. But I want to be one of those people who people either love then or hate them and groups of people actually have heated discussions about it. I want there to be attention on the sport, and if I have to attract some bad attention to get that, then fine I’ll be willing to be that person.”
Not that Rousey is exactly new to being a bit of a renegade, she admitted. Like most male fighters, she did her share of fighting outside of a sporting context, even if it only brought her trouble.
“I’ve never gotten away with a fight in my entire life. I even got jumped by a bunch of guys once and I beat them up, and they sued me for assault. Every fight I got into in school, I always got a suspension or community service, and it’s just never been worth it to me. If I could get in a fight without there being legal repercussions, I would be in a fight every single day. I don’t go out to clubs at all, because I know if someone grabs my a– I’ll punch them in the face.”
But now that she’s trying to make a career out of MMA, Rousey isn’t afraid to make herself a lightning rod for criticism, or to use her looks to get attention from fans, even if all her peers might not like it.
“I fought for a long time to get in the Olympics and win an Olympic medal wearing, like, a bathrobe, and I ended up with ten grand and a handshake,” she said. “What do you really want me to do? If it was a perfect world where I could walk in there, just roll out of bed and go in there and make the same money, then fine. But I fought for pride for a long time and ended up with nothing but a box full of medals. If I want to make this a career I have to play up the looks side. The people that criticize it are the people that aren’t in that situation.”
The fact the more attractive female fighters stand to make more money shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone, Rousey said, even if it’s a topic some in the sport would rather ignore.
“I mean, it’s more entertaining to watch two [attractive] girls wrestling around than two ugly girls wrestling around,” said Rousey. “I’m sorry I had to like, point out the elephant in the room, but that’s the truth. That’s what people want to see and that’s what’s going to sell tickets and that’s what’s going to make money and that’s what’s going to get all of us a better salary. So yes, I think it’s very important for there to be good-looking girls fighting.”
Instead of depending on Gina Carano to be the face of women’s MMA, she said, the sports needs “a couple of girls that are very skilled and decent-looking and we wouldn’t be in a position where, if one girl goes off to do movies, then the whole sport itself is screwed.”
It might not be exactly what every fight fan wants to hear, but then, that’s sort of the point. If by speaking her mind, Rousey then makes herself more of a subject of conversation, she seems fine with that.
And while she wouldn’t name her next opponent aside from hinting that it would be “an interesting fight,” she does have some plans for her fighting future.
“In the perfect world, after this contract was over I’d like to fight Gina Carano and then I’d like to fight Cris “Cyborg” [Santos].”
At least there’s one thing Rousey will never be accused of, and that’s setting her sights too low.
She doesn’t mind controversy in general, really. Something has to bring attention to women’s MMA and, at least the way Rousey sees it, all the fighters trying to out-nice each other isn’t going to do it.
“My goal is not the be the most liked girl in women’s MMA,” Rousey told Ariel Helwani on Tuesday’s edition of The MMA Hour. “I want to be the most talked about girl in women’s MMA. If there’s a lot of controversy, people saying I suck, I’m cocky, or it was a good fight or an amazing move — as long as there’s polarizing opinions and people want to discuss it.”
Rousey, who won an Olympic bronze medal in women’s judo in the 2008 Beijing games, improved her MMA record to 3-0 with a first-round armbar victory over D’Alelio on August 12. Referee Steve Mazzagatti’s stoppage at the 25-second mark of the bout drew immediate criticism, as D’Alelio clearly didn’t tap to the submission.
After the bout, D’Alelio admitted that she’d made some verbal indication of pain when Rousey jumped into the armbar, and that was apparently good enough to bring the bout to a halt.
“I think the referee was right to stop the fight,” Rousey said. “They tell you the second that you walk in, like right before you walk in, they tell you, ‘If you’re in a submission, anything verbal, like if you yell or scream or anything like that we’ll call the fight.’ So she was very aware that that was the case. It’s not like she didn’t know that that was the rule or something like that, because they literally tell you right before you walk out.”
In case you couldn’t tell, Rousey isn’t one to hold her tongue, nor is she aiming to be the Ms. Congeniality of the women’s MMA world. She had enough of that on the U.S. Olympic judo squad, she said, and she doesn’t think it helps raise her profile or that of the sport to do it now.
“When I was in the Olympics and I was representing the United States I had to be very proper, like, yes, this is the right thing to say and I won’t say anything about how I think [George] Bush is a retard,” Rousey said. “I’m just going to go say what they want me to say and look bright and shiny and go win.
“But doing MMA, you’re representing yourself. You’re not representing your country. I feel like what women’s MMA needs is not some nice girl. Everyone’s playing the nice card and they’re not willing to go under any kind of criticism and I really feel that that’s not what we need if we want to get as much exposure as possible. We need someone more like a Tito Ortiz-type personality — not that I’m trying to be that much of a d–k, no offense to Tito. But I want to be one of those people who people either love then or hate them and groups of people actually have heated discussions about it. I want there to be attention on the sport, and if I have to attract some bad attention to get that, then fine I’ll be willing to be that person.”
Not that Rousey is exactly new to being a bit of a renegade, she admitted. Like most male fighters, she did her share of fighting outside of a sporting context, even if it only brought her trouble.
“I’ve never gotten away with a fight in my entire life. I even got jumped by a bunch of guys once and I beat them up, and they sued me for assault. Every fight I got into in school, I always got a suspension or community service, and it’s just never been worth it to me. If I could get in a fight without there being legal repercussions, I would be in a fight every single day. I don’t go out to clubs at all, because I know if someone grabs my a– I’ll punch them in the face.”
But now that she’s trying to make a career out of MMA, Rousey isn’t afraid to make herself a lightning rod for criticism, or to use her looks to get attention from fans, even if all her peers might not like it.
“I fought for a long time to get in the Olympics and win an Olympic medal wearing, like, a bathrobe, and I ended up with ten grand and a handshake,” she said. “What do you really want me to do? If it was a perfect world where I could walk in there, just roll out of bed and go in there and make the same money, then fine. But I fought for pride for a long time and ended up with nothing but a box full of medals. If I want to make this a career I have to play up the looks side. The people that criticize it are the people that aren’t in that situation.”
The fact the more attractive female fighters stand to make more money shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone, Rousey said, even if it’s a topic some in the sport would rather ignore.
“I mean, it’s more entertaining to watch two [attractive] girls wrestling around than two ugly girls wrestling around,” said Rousey. “I’m sorry I had to like, point out the elephant in the room, but that’s the truth. That’s what people want to see and that’s what’s going to sell tickets and that’s what’s going to make money and that’s what’s going to get all of us a better salary. So yes, I think it’s very important for there to be good-looking girls fighting.”
Instead of depending on Gina Carano to be the face of women’s MMA, she said, the sports needs “a couple of girls that are very skilled and decent-looking and we wouldn’t be in a position where, if one girl goes off to do movies, then the whole sport itself is screwed.”
It might not be exactly what every fight fan wants to hear, but then, that’s sort of the point. If by speaking her mind, Rousey then makes herself more of a subject of conversation, she seems fine with that.
And while she wouldn’t name her next opponent aside from hinting that it would be “an interesting fight,” she does have some plans for her fighting future.
“In the perfect world, after this contract was over I’d like to fight Gina Carano and then I’d like to fight Cris “Cyborg” [Santos].”
At least there’s one thing Rousey will never be accused of, and that’s setting her sights too low.
If the best indicator of future performance is past behavior, the outcome of last night’s battle between Ronda Rousey and Sarah D’Alelio was written on the wall. Rousey, an Olympic medalist judoka, entered the cage with two pro and three amateur bouts under her black belt, all having ended via submission in under a minute. Referee Steve Mazzagatti sports a panoply of blown calls and poor decisions that have earned him the dishonor of being labeled one of MMA’s worst referees. When lightening fast submissions meet questionable decision making, get ready for the fireworks.
The trouble started for D’Alelio the moment the bell rang; Rousey switched up her takedown attack feverishly until she succeeded in bringing the fight to the mat just eighteen seconds into the bout. The trouble started for Mazzagatti about eight seconds later, when he stopped the fight based on a rumor he’d heard that D’Alelio had verbally submitted. The truth is that that Rousey was more than capable of making D’Alelio tap and tap quickly, and her odds of escaping that armbar were slim. But it doesn’t look like Mazzagatti stepped in because D’Alelio tapped verbally or otherwise, or because she was in immediate danger. Rousey stops torquing the arm and turns toward Mazzagatti to inform him that D’Alelio had cried out “Tap! Tap!”, and though we haven’t heard his side of the tale it looks like he takes her word for it and ends the fight. D’Alelio claims to have yelled “Wahahaaahaa!” in response to the pain, but that she never wanted out of the fight. D’Alelio could call for a rematch, but the end result would probably be the same. As for Rousey, how about a fight with Kyra Gracie?
Get full results and gifs of Rousey’s near-wardrobe mishap at the weigh-ins and Derek Mehman’s gruesome cut after the jump.
If the best indicator of future performance is past behavior, the outcome of last night’s battle between Ronda Rousey and Sarah D’Alelio was written on the wall. Rousey, an Olympic medalist judoka, entered the cage with two pro and three amateur bouts under her black belt, all having ended via submission in under a minute. Referee Steve Mazzagatti sports a panoply of blown calls and poor decisions that have earned him the dishonor of being labeled one of MMA’s worst referees. When lightening fast submissions meet questionable decision making, get ready for the fireworks.
The trouble started for D’Alelio the moment the bell rang; Rousey switched up her takedown attack feverishly until she succeeded in bringing the fight to the mat just eighteen seconds into the bout. The trouble started for Mazzagatti about eight seconds later, when he stopped the fight based on a rumor he’d heard that D’Alelio had verbally submitted. The truth is that that Rousey was more than capable of making D’Alelio tap and tap quickly, and her odds of escaping that armbar were slim. But it doesn’t look like Mazzagatti stepped in because D’Alelio tapped verbally or otherwise, or because she was in immediate danger. Rousey stops torquing the arm and turns toward Mazzagatti to inform him that D’Alelio had cried out “Tap! Tap!”, and though we haven’t heard his side of the tale it looks like he takes her word for it and ends the fight. D’Alelio claims to have yelled “Wahahaaahaa!” in response to the pain, but that she never wanted out of the fight. D’Alelio could call for a rematch, but the end result would probably be the same. As for Rousey, how about a fight with Kyra Gracie?
