411's Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg Report 8.15.09
Posted by Jeremy Lambert on 08.16.2009
Cris "Cyborg" Santos became the first ever Strikeforce Womens Champion by overwhelming Gina Carano in the first round. Elsewhere, Gegard Mousasi proved the hype is real and captured the Strikefore Light Heavyweight title with a dominating first round KO victory over Renato Sobral and Gilbert Melendez retained his Strikefore Interim Lightweight title with an outstanding performance over Mitsuhiro Ishida. Click for the full report.
Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg
From the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California
Live on Showtime
-Opening video featuring Gina Carano and Cris Cyborg.
-Shots of Carano and Santos arriving to the arena.
-Gus Johnson is joined by Mauro Ranallo and Frank Shamrock in the booth. They talk about the signing of Fedor Emelianenko and Carano vs. Santos as the main event.
Heavyweight Fight: Fabricio Werdum (11-4-1) vs. Mike Kyle (12-6-1)
Round One: Counter left hook by Werdum. Weak shot stuffed by Kyle. Leg kicks by Werdum. Kyle catches a leg kicks but can't do anything with it. Right hook by Kyle seems to stun Werdum. Werdum grabs a single and finishes the takedown. Werdum in guard. Kyle goes for an armbar but Werdum survives. Kyle tries to get to his feet but Werdum grabs a guillotine. Werdum drops to guard and Kyle has to tap out.
Official Decision: Fabricio Werdum by Submission (Guillotine Choke) at 1:24 in Round One
-Werdum says he trained hard and that he loves America. Werdum says he'll fight anyone.
-Gina Carano, rocking the cornrows, is with Jenn Brown. She said she had a tough training camp. Randy Couture steps in and says the gameplan is to keep things simple.
Strikeforce Interim Lightweight Title Fight: Mitsuhiro Ishida (18-5-1) vs. Gilbert Melendez (15-2) (c)
-This fight is a rematch of their New Years Eve 2007 fight, a close decision victory for Ishida. The fight was originally scheduled to be Josh Thomson vs. Melendez for the Lightweight title but Thomson's broken leg hadn't fully healed.
Round One: Shot by Ishida and Melendez with a quick sprawl. Head kick blocked by Melendez. They circle and the crowd boos. Shot by Ishida, Melendez sprawls and catches him with a knee on the way up. Right hand followed by a left as Ishida rushes in by Melendez. Three hooks by Melendez but Ishida covers well. Melendez counters the inside leg kick with a right book. They trade left hooks with Melendez getting more power behind his. Ishida grabs a single but Melendez stays on his feet. Ishida works hard and gets the takedown. Melendez tries to get up but Ishida gets his back. Melendez spins out and plants Ishida with a double leg. Melendez has Ishida seated and pressed against the cage. Ishida working for a guillotine. He gives it up and looks for a kimura, likely trying to use it as a sweep. The round ends. 10-9 Melendez.
Round Two: Melendez doing a good job countering with the right hook. Left jab by Melendez. Ishida shoots and grabs a single. Melendez sprawls and they wind up in a clinch. Knee to the body by Melendez. Melendez has him press against the cage. Knees to the thigh by Melendez. Elbow by Melendez as they break. Quick shot by Ishida is stuffed. Another counter right off the leg kick by Melendez. Ishida is bleeding out of his ear. Melendez stumbles Ishida with a right. Ishida backs up against the cage. Melendez fires off a series of strikes. Ishida shoots and Melendez stuffs it. Melendez has a face lock and lands punches. Ishida stands and Melendez takes him down. Melendez has Ishida pinned against the cage in a frog position. Knees to the body by Melendez. Ishida stands and Melendez lands some nice body shots. Melendez catches and body kick and throws him down as the round ends. 10-9 Melendez.
Round Three: Both men scoring with the jab to start the round. Ishida lands a good counter left. Melendez tries a weak shot and Ishida shrugs him away. Melendez having success with the jab. Leg kick by Ishida. Ishida shoots and Melendez sprawls. Uppercut by Melendez on the way up. Another uppercut and Ishida stumbles down. Melendez pounces on him and pounds away with the right hand but Ishida survives. Ishida buys some time and controls the posture of Melendez. Melendez is able to posture up and lands the right. Ishida tries to roll but ends up giving up his back. Melendez flattens him out and pounds on him until the ref stops it.
Official Decision: Gilbert Melendez by TKO at 3:56 in Round Three
-Melendez landed 104 strikes on the feet and 57 strikes on the ground.
-Melendez says that his gameplan was to be patient.
-Cris Santos is with Jenn Brown. She says that she's ready for five rounds.
Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Title Fight: Gegard Mousasi (25-2-1) vs. Renato Sobral (35-8) (c)
-This is Mousasi's first fight at Light Heavyweight.
Round One: They throw leg kicks at the same time. Sobral catches and body kick and gets into a clinch. Mousasi gets the takedown and ends up in side control. Mousasi postures up as Sobral tries to roll. Mousasi pounds away on Sobral and SOBRAL IS OUT COLD.
Official Decision: NEW Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion Gegard Mousasi by KO at 1:00 in Round One
-Mousasi landed all 11 of his ground strikes.
-Mousasi says that there was some pressure but he just wanted to perform well.
-Jake Shields is with Mauro. They show a replay for Shields finishing Robbie Lawler with a guillotine choke. Shields says that he was impressed with Mousasi. Shields says he'll fight whoever.
-Short video promo for Fedor. He's coming soon.
-Mauro talks about Carano becoming a mainstream star and the face of Women's MMA. Frank says that this fight will be a war.
Strikeforce Womens Title Fight: Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos (7-1) vs. Gina Carano (7-0)
-The Strikeforce Womens Title is currently vacant.
Round One: Jab by Cyborg. Gina covers up against the cage. Cyborg unloading. Carano gets the takedown. Ground and pound. Cyborg goes for a heel hook. Carano gets out but gives up her back. Punches by Cyborg. Carano gets up. Cyborg unloads on her. They clinch and Carano gets the takedown. She's in mount pounding away. Carano just stands up and allows Cyborg up. They trade right hands. Big right by Cyborg. Cyborg catches a body kick and they clinch. Carano turns and gives up her back on the feet. She drops for a leg lock but cant get it. Big punches by Cyborg as Gina stands. Superwoman punch by Gina. They clinch and Cyborg takes her down into turtle position. Cyborg stands and lets Gina up. Gina covers up and Cyborg unloads. Another clinch. Cyborg gets the takedown into half guard. Cyborg goes for a kimura. Gina muscles her way out of it. Cyborg postures up and rains down with heavy punches. Gina covers up but Cyborg is pounding away. THE REF STOPS IT RIGHT AT THE BELL!
-Cyborg is celebrating like she's won. It's officially been stopped.
Official Decision: NEW Strikeforce Womens Champion Cris Santos by TKO at 4:59 in Round One
-Carano leaves the cage after the decision.
-Cyborg thanks Gina, the fans, and her trainers.
-Jenn Brown is in the dressing room and reports that Gina is getting checked out by the doctors.
-Mauro puts over the performance of Mousasi. Frank says Cris Santos is the best female fighter in the world. Frank says that Strikeforce has a deep Heavyweight division for Fedor to compete in. Gus wraps up the show.
Mousasi belongs in the UFC. After he wins the Super Hulk Tourney that is.
Posted By: dale (Guest) on August 16, 2009 at 12:31 AM
History has been made, the end of womens mma
Posted By: Guest#2365 (Guest) on August 16, 2009 at 12:33 AM
very good show
Posted By: freaky funk (Guest) on August 16, 2009 at 12:34 AM
Werdum looked far better than he did at the end of his UFC run. I still doubt he could give Fedor much've a fight, but I'd like to see him and Overeem again.
Mousasi smoked Babalu, as I thought he would. The UFC will offer this guy big bucks to make the jump if he continues on his tear. Honestly, who cares if he's in the damn EA game or not; if they use that as a reason not to sign this guy, they are just plain stupid.
Cyborg will be their womens champ for a while. Few women fighters are as big as her and she just has way too much strength. Some people will moan about the stoppage, but it was more than fair.
Posted By: Guest#2951 (Guest) on August 16, 2009 at 12:34 AM
Cris "I Kill Pretty Bitches For a Modest Fee" Cyborg
Posted By: The Great Smartass (Guest) on August 16, 2009 at 12:54 AM
Call me crazy but it REALLY seemed like the ref was trying to "Kimbo" for Gina by hoping the time would run out before calling off Cyborg. That match could have ended after 5 or 6 ground shots, not 11. I called this though. I said Cyborg would win first round and Gina's only prayer would've been to weather the storm and she couldn't do it.
Posted By: jp (Guest) on August 16, 2009 at 01:08 AM
I love how all of these people who crap on about this being the end of the lists of fights for women at 145 don't even acknowledge the fact that Erin Toughhill is signed with Strikeforce and is the definate next in line. She is as big if not bigger than Cyborg and can make 145
Posted By: Guest#2056 (Guest) on August 16, 2009 at 01:19 AM
pretty horrible show overall...the womens fight was a total joke. Talk about 2 people with no technique.
Posted By: Guest#7784 (Guest) on August 16, 2009 at 01:27 AM
11 minutes of fighting?.....must be HHHs fault
Posted By: josh (Guest) on August 16, 2009 at 01:39 AM
Wow good thing most people get Showtime free for the first few months instead of buying this for PPV lol
Posted By: Daniel (Guest) on August 16, 2009 at 02:24 AM
FEDOR FEARS MIR!!!!!!!!!!1
Posted By: Guest#8027 (Guest) on August 16, 2009 at 02:47 AM
this show sucked ass..cant believe fedor joined the B-show
Posted By: cenasucks (Guest) on August 16, 2009 at 03:42 AM
Pathetic stoppage on the Carano fight. It's almost like officials are scared to let a fight actually last. Cyborg proved again she's nothing but a one round fighter and if you get her out of the first round, she'll stand barely any chance of winning.
Hopefully we see a rematch here, otherwise female MMA is done in America. Strikeforce is just disgraceful, get Carano and co to UFC for christ sake, because they deserve better than this pathetic place.
Posted By: SummerTwilight (Guest) on August 16, 2009 at 04:22 AM
Women should not be getting punched in the head.
Posted By: Matt (Guest) on August 16, 2009 at 04:38 AM
History has been made, the end of womens mma
Posted By: Guest#2365 (Guest) on August 16, 2009 at 12:33 AM
Why is that? Because your and every other mma nerd's masturbation fuel Gina Carano got her ass handed to her?
Gina, I am not in love with you anymore...................................NOT!
Posted By: A. Coolman (Guest) on August 16, 2009 at 04:42 AM
all Gina vs. Cyborg did was prove women are rubbish fighters. 0 technique at all.
Posted By: Craig (Guest) on August 16, 2009 at 08:21 AM
So man beats woman, does that really change anything???(I dare anyone to defend Cyborg being a woman).
Posted By: Butters4Prez (Guest) on August 16, 2009 at 08:53 AM
Not that anyone gives a fuck about Canada, but this is actually PPV only here, and would've cost $50 (in HD) had I ordered it.
Strikeforce needs to get some kind of deal for outside the US because I don't see who would pay UFC PPV prices for their product yet. And "Fedor presented by M-1 Global" is not enough either.
Posted By: Diavo (Guest) on August 16, 2009 at 08:55 AM
Wow good thing most people get Showtime free for the first few months instead of buying this for PPV lol
Posted By: Daniel (Guest) on August 16, 2009 at 02:24 AM
Funny/sad thing about this is that it wasn't live to Showtime people. For live you had to get the PPV which was I think 25 bucks. After that, you can watch the "live replay" on Showtime. At least that's how it was here on the west coast.
Posted By: Butters4Prez (Guest) on August 16, 2009 at 09:25 AM
Overall the show in my eyes was quite lackluster. For some reason, the women's fight just didn't have that "big fight" feel for me. I know the crowd was into it, but something just didn't click.
On another note, Gegard Mousasi impressed the absolute hell out of me tonight. I agree with Guest#2951, if Mousasi continues on this path, UFC will offer him a deal as soon as his DREAM contract expires. Yes, Dana has said no person in the EA game will ever fight in UFC, but Dana can change his mind if there is money to be made.
Posted By: Adam B. (Guest) on August 16, 2009 at 09:57 AM
Cyborg; She's a man baby!
Posted By: Austin Powers (Guest) on August 16, 2009 at 10:04 AM
People always say that Cyborg and Carano could beat up men. Well after that hideous performance from both Carano and Cyborg I'm pretty sure a cripple can wash them. Who mounts someone and actually loses? Seriously this sport is not for a bunch of untalented women standing up for their sex. If they had ta;lent they can but that was ugly in every sense of the word, as is your new Women's champion. Strikeforce better fold soon so we can see Babalu, Mousasi, and Melendez in the Octagon. Not Fedor he'll be too busy fighting Bob Sapp in Japan.
Posted By: Strikefarce (Guest) on August 16, 2009 at 11:05 AM
UFC won't sign Mousasi yet, he's with M-1... if they don't do a deal for ALL of M-1's fighters (and I don't know what they don't.... Fedor, Mousasi, etc), then they don't get any of them.
Posted By: P. (Guest) on August 16, 2009 at 12:03 PM
This whole boring card just proved why UFC is #1, and Strikeforce is a DISTANT #2. Mousasi was the only bright spot. The women's fight just showed why there's not much market for womens' MMA.
Posted By: Herman Carano (Guest) on August 16, 2009 at 12:17 PM
The announcers and commentators were so distractingly bad that our group is seriously considering never watching Strikefarce again. I mean, not only did they look absolutely ridiculous, they sounded like fools too. "He's blinking! He's blinking!" And don't get me wrong, I know Showtime is a big boxing event channel, but do we need to be bombarded with boxing commercials during a one hour and fortyfive minute mma event? More than 20 minutes left after the main event and we don't even get to see any of the undercard? Please.
Posted By: Ugh (Guest) on August 16, 2009 at 12:27 PM
the only 2 fights that would be more dominating than cyborg over carano are lesnar assraping fedor, and machida making silva his own personal bitch
Posted By: Guest#3973 (Guest) on August 16, 2009 at 12:27 PM
Cyborg vs. RVD - One shot deal.
BOOK IT! FTW
Posted By: ohyeah (Guest) on August 16, 2009 at 12:27 PM
What did we get about 5 rounds of fighting spread over 4 fights? Why are they interviewing a boxer and Herschel Walker and not showing more fights?
Am I he only one who despises Women's MMA?
Posted By: MJH (Guest) on August 16, 2009 at 12:42 PM
gina looked good before and after the fight. but NOT during.. still love u though gina ' keep ur estrogen levels the same!
Posted By: djgreeneyes (Guest) on August 16, 2009 at 02:47 PM
Mousasi the pound 4 pound king perhaps?
Posted By: POGROM (Guest) on August 16, 2009 at 03:01 PM
Why is that? Because your and every other mma nerd's masturbation fuel Gina Carano got her ass handed to her?
Gina, I am not in love with you anymore...................................NOT!
Because both of them showed terrible skills and made huge mistakes multiple times. Giving up mount or back control for no fucking reason? Come on. On top of that, they both looked gased halfway through the first round.
This is the best of the best in womens mma? No thanks.
I ain't gonna lie though, I'll probably watch the next fight Gina's for more masturbation fuel.
Posted By: Guest#3225 (Guest) on August 16, 2009 at 03:15 PM
I have Showtime and I got the fight for free at it's regular time.
Posted By: Flying Dutchman (Guest) on August 16, 2009 at 03:18 PM
cris "i am really a man" cyborg. by the way i swear when i show he/she on the hubbys shoulders. i saw him say "hey can you can get your balls off my neck?".
Posted By: your balls were showing (Guest) on August 16, 2009 at 05:39 PM
Women should not be getting punched in the head.
Posted By: Matt (Guest) on August 16, 2009 at 04:38 AM
Unless the deserve a donkey punch.
Posted By: your balls were showing (Guest) on August 16, 2009 at 05:45 PM
Hey, Women's MMA. The WNBA called, they want there relevance back.
Posted By: Martin Lawrence (Guest) on August 16, 2009 at 07:22 PM
Oh dear, just watched the women's "fight", what a fucking embarrassment. That was truly awful, she had her in full mount and then let her up.....it just boggles the mind.
Utter fucking garbage, not even entertaining from a freakshow perspective.
Posted By: dennett316 (Guest) on August 16, 2009 at 07:44 PM
Half the people here sound like twelve year olds.
Women's MMA isn't terrible. The fact of the matter is that Cyborg is a one round fighter, sluggish as well. Carano is all about technique, which is why her gameplan was supposed to be going past the first round, because then she could finish off Cyborg. That didn't happen though, because Cyborg just wanted to come out in the first round and be brutal, putting fingers in her eyes and everything, which should warrant a DQ anyway.
Carano is much more talented but got the gameplan wrong, simple as that. They'll be a rematch and everybody will see that then. Carano is the only female that can popularise female MMA in America, so without her, they've got no chance.
Posted By: SummerTwilight (Guest) on August 17, 2009 at 05:01 AM
Carano is about technique? Really? Then what was that display? Carano nuthuggers (ginahangers?) are a joke. Cyborg was the better fighter and dominated, no excuses. Stop acting like Carano is the better fighter and is some super technical wizard. She's not in Cyborg's league, and Cyborg isn't in any top 100 male fighters league. And I actually respect Cyborg.
Posted By: Guest#8945 (Guest) on August 17, 2009 at 05:56 PM
