Knockout of the Year Candidate: Christine Stanley’s Five-Second Jumping Hook-Kick KO

(Props: Josh Lonero, MMA – Mixed Martial Arts)

On Saturday night at XFS Tidal Wave in Valley Center, California, strawweight prospect Christine Stanley scored the greatest knockout we’ve seen all year, and arguably the most impressive knockout in women’s MMA history. Basically, what Stanley did to opponent Katie Anita Runyan was like Uriah Hall vs. Adam Cella, but in mid-air, and with the very first strike she threw.

Stanley’s jumping spinning hook-kick KO was officially recorded at five seconds, though it seemed closer to four by our count. At any rate, it’s amazing, and you should watch it immediately. Special appearance by The Great One!



(Props: Josh Lonero, MMA – Mixed Martial Arts)

On Saturday night at XFS Tidal Wave in Valley Center, California, strawweight prospect Christine Stanley scored the greatest knockout we’ve seen all year, and arguably the most impressive knockout in women’s MMA history. Basically, what Stanley did to opponent Katie Anita Runyan was like Uriah Hall vs. Adam Cella, but in mid-air, and with the very first strike she threw.

Stanley’s jumping spinning hook-kick KO was officially recorded at five seconds, though it seemed closer to four by our count. At any rate, it’s amazing, and you should watch it immediately. Special appearance by The Great One!

Bellator Re-Launches Women’s Division, Announces Signing of Marloes Coenen and Julia Budd


(Photos by Esther Lin)

The rumors of Bellator signing Gina Carano may have been premature — or totally invented — but the promotion will indeed begin holding women’s fights again, as part of a brand-new featherweight division. According to a press release distributed today, Marloes Coenen and Julia Budd have signed contracts with Bellator, and will fight on a live Spike TV broadcast later this year.

“We’re incredibly excited to bring in two of the best athletes competing in our sport today,” said Bellator President Scott Coker. “We are making a commitment to bring back the female division to Bellator, and feature some of the world’s best in the Bellator cage.”

Bellator began running women’s matches early in its history, with fighters like Jessica Penne, Leslie Smith, Kerry Vera, and Rosi Sexton featured during the promotion’s first season in 2009. The next year, Bellator hosted a women’s strawweight tournament, which saw Zoila Gurgel outpoint Penne, Jessica Aguilar, and WMMA legend Megumi Fujii. But in light of increasing competition from Invicta FC and the UFC, Bellator formally shut down its women’s divisions in August 2013.

Of course, that was during the Bjorn Rebney era. Now that Scott Coker is runnin’ thangs, Bellator will attempt to re-capture some of the success that Strikeforce previously had in promoting female stars Gina Carano and Cris Cyborg. (By the way, the fact that Coker is pushing a new 145-pound division theoretically makes Bellator a more attractive environment for Carano and Cyborg than the UFC, as they wouldn’t have to squeeze into the bantamweight division to compete.)

But back to Coenen and Budd…


(Photos by Esther Lin)

The rumors of Bellator signing Gina Carano may have been premature — or totally invented — but the promotion will indeed begin holding women’s fights again, as part of a brand-new featherweight division. According to a press release distributed today, Marloes Coenen and Julia Budd have signed contracts with Bellator, and will fight on a live Spike TV broadcast later this year.

“We’re incredibly excited to bring in two of the best athletes competing in our sport today,” said Bellator President Scott Coker. “We are making a commitment to bring back the female division to Bellator, and feature some of the world’s best in the Bellator cage.”

Bellator began running women’s matches early in its history, with fighters like Jessica Penne, Leslie Smith, Kerry Vera, and Rosi Sexton featured during the promotion’s first season in 2009. The next year, Bellator hosted a women’s strawweight tournament, which saw Zoila Gurgel outpoint Penne, Jessica Aguilar, and WMMA legend Megumi Fujii. But in light of increasing competition from Invicta FC and the UFC, Bellator formally shut down its women’s divisions in August 2013.

Of course, that was during the Bjorn Rebney era. Now that Scott Coker is runnin’ thangs, Bellator will attempt to re-capture some of the success that Strikeforce previously had in promoting female stars Gina Carano and Cris Cyborg. (By the way, the fact that Coker is pushing a new 145-pound division theoretically makes Bellator a more attractive environment for Carano and Cyborg than the UFC, as they wouldn’t have to squeeze into the bantamweight division to compete.)

But back to Coenen and Budd…

“After fighting professionally for over 15 years, I am honored to be invited into the Bellator cage,” Coenen said in today’s press release. “Fighting for Bellator brings my spirit back for fighting! It is great to be working together with Scott Coker again as we both have the same vision on fighting. My style is fighting with the objective to knock my opponent out or to submit her. That is exactly what I am planning to do the very first second I step into the Bellator cage.”

Coenen (21-6) hasn’t competed since her TKO loss to Cris Cyborg in their rematch at Invicta FC 6, in July 2013. By comparison, Budd (6-2) is a somewhat unseasoned competitor, but she’s coming off a 4-0 run in Invicta in 2012-2013.

“I’m ecstatic about the opportunity that Bellator is giving the 145 female division and I’m especially excited to be one of the first females to fight for Scott Coker under the Bellator banner,” Budd added in the press release. “This gives me the opportunity to showcase my skills as one of the best fighters in the world on one of the biggest stages in the world.”

More to come…

Dana White on Gina Carano: “It’s Complicated”


(Gina Carano prepares for a showdown with Ronda Rousey by developing the Rouseybuster Armor MK II. / Photo via Getty)

And no, Dana White is not talking about a Facebook relationship status. He’s referring to Zuffa’s current contract negotiations with Gina Carano, the former “Face of Women’s MMA.”

Not too long ago, White triumphantly announced that the UFC would sign Carano and book her in a fight against UFC women’s bantamweight champ Ronda Rousey. As the old saying goes, be wary of Dana White bearing promises. This boast, like almost every other thing Dana White has ever said since this fateful interview, turned out to be bullshit.

It turns out signing the fighter-turned-actress is harder than Uncle Dana anticipated.


(Gina Carano prepares for a showdown with Ronda Rousey by developing the Rouseybuster Armor MK II. / Photo via Getty)

And no, Dana White is not talking about a Facebook relationship status. He’s referring to Zuffa’s current contract negotiations with Gina Carano, the former “Face of Women’s MMA.”

Not too long ago, White triumphantly announced that the UFC would sign Carano and book her in a fight against UFC women’s bantamweight champ Ronda Rousey. As the old saying goes, be wary of Dana White bearing promises. This boast, like almost every other thing Dana White has ever said since this fateful interview, turned out to be bullshit.

It turns out signing the fighter-turned-actress is harder than Uncle Dana anticipated.

“It’s complicated,” White said at the UFC on FOX 12 post-fight presser. “It’s going very positive, but it’s complicated.” And that’s all he said about it.

It appears we won’t be getting Rousey-Carano, after all–at least not in 2014. While such a fight is dubious in terms of legitimacy (a fighter who hasn’t fought since 2009 earning a title shot despite coming off a loss), there’s little doubt it’d generate some much-needed heat for the UFC.

To be honest, a little heat is kind of necessary, especially for the women’s bantamweight division. Rousey crushing over-matched contenders with no name value is getting old fast. While it’s our belief that she’d destroy Carano pretty easily, it’s highly probable that Carano would generate more buzz and excitement than the likes of Alexis Davis and Cat Zingano can generate.

Until the UFC signs Carano, Holly Holm will have to suffice as Rousey’s next biggest potential opponent.

Watch UFC Strawweight Claudia Gadelha Beat the Crap Out of Dudes on ‘Panico Na TV’


(Abs. Also pictured: Claudia Gadelha)

By Ryan Harkness

I think we all agree that The Ultimate Fighter has become a tired, worn out concept — to the point where even the fighters on the show don’t seem to give much of a crap any more. But women are doing their best to eliminate that not so fresh feeling from the show. TUF 18 featured bantamweight women alongside men, and TUF 20 (debuting in September) will be 100% 115-pound female goodness.

One fighter originally slated to appear on TUF 20 was Claudia Gadelha. Considered by many to be the ringer of the season, the undefeated BJJ black belt ended up being removed due to her inability to no speako de englis. But because of this switch-up, it now looks like she’ll get the honor of kicking off the women’s strawweight division when she fights victim opponent Tina Lahdemaki at UFC Fight Night 45 on July 16th.

It turns out that Claudia also has a bit of an interesting history: She is best known for a stint on Brazilian television where she fought dudes in the cage for a show called Panico Na TV. None of these guys were actually professional fighters and you can tell the goal isn’t to murderize each other. But speaking as an ill prepared TV host who once ‘fought’ Patrick Cote, this stuff can get pretty serious (at least for the poor bastards getting whupped).

Let’s take a look at some of these videos!


(Abs. Also pictured: Claudia Gadelha)

By Ryan Harkness

I think we all agree that The Ultimate Fighter has become a tired, worn out concept — to the point where even the fighters on the show don’t seem to give much of a crap any more. But women are doing their best to eliminate that not so fresh feeling from the show. TUF 18 featured bantamweight women alongside men, and TUF 20 (debuting in September) will be 100% 115-pound female goodness.

One fighter originally slated to appear on TUF 20 was Claudia Gadelha. Considered by many to be the ringer of the season, the undefeated BJJ black belt ended up being removed due to her inability to no speako de englis. But because of this switch-up, it now looks like she’ll get the honor of kicking off the women’s strawweight division when she fights victim opponent Tina Lahdemaki at UFC Fight Night 45 on July 16th.

It turns out that Claudia also has a bit of an interesting history: She is best known for a stint on Brazilian television where she fought dudes in the cage for a show called Panico Na TV. None of these guys were actually professional fighters and you can tell the goal isn’t to murderize each other. But speaking as an ill prepared TV host who once ‘fought’ Patrick Cote, this stuff can get pretty serious (at least for the poor bastards getting whupped).

Let’s take a look at some of these videos!

The silliest and therefore best of the bunch. Three Panico Na TV hosts visit Claudia where she trains, and she beats all three like bongos. If you’ve only got time to watch one person get their ass whupped today, may I recommend host #3 (7:20 into the vid), who decides about halfway through that he no longer wants to do this skit.

Next page: More of Claudia hurting poorly prepared individuals!

4 WMMA Fighters Who Could Become Breakout Stars

Women’s MMA is on the rise. This much is certain. Between the UFC, Invicta and other promotions accepting their place in the sport, stars are sure to be made. Ronda Rousey is easily the biggest star in the sport, though Miesha Tate, Cris “Cyborg” Justino and Gina Carano have also broken out into the spotlight. […]

Women’s MMA is on the rise. This much is certain. Between the UFC, Invicta and other promotions accepting their place in the sport, stars are sure to be made. Ronda Rousey is easily the biggest star in the sport, though Miesha Tate, Cris “Cyborg” Justino and Gina Carano have also broken out into the spotlight. […]

Is Gina Carano Training at Black House?


(via r/MMA)

This picture of Gina Carano has been making its rounds on the Internet this weekend. As you can see, it depicts Gina Carano either pre-workout or post-workout holding a Black House t-shirt within a Black House gym.

Carano, herself, hasn’t announced anything. It’s entirely possible that she’s just visiting the gym. If that’s the case, this photo will no doubt lead to tons of errant speculation.

However, it’s possible that Carano is starting to get back into fighting shape. After all, UFC president Dana White said that Carano in the UFC was simply “a matter of getting a deal done.” But Dana is known to be among MMA’s greatest prevaricators, so we won’t put too much stock in what he says.


(via r/MMA)

This picture of Gina Carano has been making its rounds on the Internet this weekend. As you can see, it depicts Gina Carano either pre-workout or post-workout holding a Black House t-shirt within a Black House gym.

Carano, herself, hasn’t announced anything. It’s entirely possible that she’s just visiting the gym. If that’s the case, this photo will no doubt lead to tons of errant speculation.

However, it’s possible that Carano is starting to get back into fighting shape. After all, UFC president Dana White said that Carano in the UFC was simply “a matter of getting a deal done.” But Dana is known to be among MMA’s greatest prevaricators, so we won’t put too much stock in what he says.

We’re not saying she’s going to fight in the UFC. We’re just saying there’s a picture of her at a serious MMA gym. Maybe she’s just getting in shape for the summer, but maybe there’s something more to it. Maybe she’ll fight Ronda Rousey at the end of the summer in a blockbuster PPV. Or maybe she’s slimming down for a role in Razor Fight II: The Slashening. All explanations are equally likely at this point.

Until then, let’s preemptively cringe about how awful any potential Carano-Rousey fight trailers will be.