For those of you who don't know Cris "Cyborg" Santos she is the current Strikeforce 145lb Champion. She earned the title after beating Gina Carano; has defended it already once against Marloes Coenen; and has just successfully defended her belt against Jan Finney on June 26th at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, CA.
Cris is a dynamic fighter coming to the MMA scene from Brazil and the world famous ChuteBoxe Academy. She is a well rounded fighter and is currently ranked #2 in the world as the best pound for pound female MMA fighter per MMARising.com. So without further adieu, please enjoy this EXCLUSIVE interview I recently had with Cris "Cyborg" Santos.
Chris: Tell us a little about yourself? Tell me something that probably most people wouldn't know about you?
Cris: I have a very Strong Personality, but yet I feel I am a very easy person to get along with. I also love coffee, I always have a lot of coffee in my diet weather I am training or not there is always coffee in my diet.
Chris: Where do you currently train? And who are your main Trainers?
Can't get enough of your favorite female MMA fighters? No worries - you asked for it and you got it.
Below, take a few minutes to enjoy this video, taken at the Australasia VS America-Princesses of Pain event. This was the second fight at that historic event, where female MMA fighters from America, New Zealand and Australia met "down under" and competed in an internationally successful event.
In this video, you'll see fighters Margaux and Tamara gave it their all, making for a very exciting fight. Quite honestly, whoever says female MMA fighters don't have any technique, or says their fights are boring, must've never watched a female fight!
So now I have two questions for Princesses of Pain: 1) when's the next one; and 2) when are these female MMA fighters going to get THEIR own show?!!!
Meisha Tate calls out Tara LaRosa
In this interview with Aaron Tru, Meisha "Takedown" Tate first talks about a rape prevention and self-defense DVD, to be directed by Ariel Penn, that she's making with some other MMA-related industry professionals, like Frank Shamrock. In today's day and age of "enlightened" men, you'd think we wouldn't need another DVD on how to prevent rape, and yet this crime against women is still prevalent in our society. If the DVD helps just one woman, this'll be a worthwhile and welcome project.
Next in the interview, Meisha calls out Tara LaRosa. Apparently she still wants that fight! I say go for it, and good luck to both fighters. I hope Scott Coker of Strikeforce is listening and it's scheduled soon!
Women's Bouts Highlight June 5th Card
Jennifer Berg, Grudge/Jackson’s and Julie Kedzie, Jackson’s scheduled to fight.
Albuquerque, NM –
Written by Tami Carswell
Coach Greg Jackson and Jackson’s Gym is presenting the Jackson’s MMA Series I on June 5th at the new Hard Rock Casino and Hotel in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The fight card will feature 5 professional fights, two of which being all female fights, and six amateur fights.
This will be a very special night for women’s MMA. The co-main event will feature Jennifer Berg from Jackson’s affiliate Grudge Training Center in Denver, Colorado, taking on Chute Boxe fighter Natasha Creger from Long Beach, California. Both Jennifer and Natasha are accomplished strikers and both are extremely aggressive. This should make for an exciting stand-up war.
Julie Kedzie from Jackson’s MMA will be fighting former national wrestling team member and Olympic hopeful Malissa Sherwood, fighting out of Sacramento, California. Julie has been featured on the Tapout Reality show as well as fought in the first televised women’s MMA fight on Showtime against Gina Carrano. Malissa is an accomplished wrestler with international experience.
The card will be available for internet streaming pay-per-view from Jackson's MMA Series. The broadcasting of the card will ensure that this special night for women’s MMA will be seen.
Q & A with female fighter, Felice Herrig
For those of you who don’t know Felice Herrig you are missing out. She is a great person and a great up and coming Female MMA Fighter. She currently lives in Chicago, IL. Felice has been known to work out at the Midwest Training Center from time to time, where you will also occasionally see the likes of Clay Guida, who is also a Chicago native. Felice’s current MMA record is 2-2-0, with a recent victory over Jessica Rakoczy in front of a home town crowd in Chicago. It is my honor and privilege to do this interview with Felice and without further ado, let’s get started.
Chris: Tell us a little about yourself?
Felice: Hmmm there is a lot to know about Felice Herrig. I am quite a complex girl. The obvious of course is my love for fighting. But it goes deeper than that. I love all aspects of health and fitness. I'm actually a Raw foodist. Most people don’t know what that is. Basically I don’t eat anything cooked to keep all the nutritional value and enzymes intact. I encourage you to look it up. Pretty amazing stuff. I’m also a licensed aesthetician. Which I’m sure a lot of people don’t know what that is either. For 5 years I worked at a salon, I did all the skincare, facials, waxing, body treatments. All that good stuff. But I gave that up to completely focus on fighting.
Chris: Where do you currently train?
Felice: Back home in Chicago I train with my long time boxing coach Shannon States at Elgin Boxing, and I train jiu jitsu at Champion Jiu Jitsu with Assou. And right now I am doing my training camp for my next fight in Orange County, California at CSW with Eric Paulson and Josh Barnett.
Chris: Who is your main trainer?
Felice: That’s a little hard to say. I fight so many disciplines. My main trainer for boxing is Shannon (States), my main trainer for Jiu jitsu is Assou, my main MMA coach is Josh (Barnett).
Chris: Are there any belts or titles that you currently hold?
Felice: I hold quite a few titles. I have 6 titles in kickboxing and Muay Thai. My most recent one is the IKF U.S. Pro Muay Thai belt.
Double Impact: Twin Fighters Jillian and Jocelyn Lybarger - Part One
I recently had the rare privilege of interviewing Jillian and Jocelyn Lybarger. These ladies are not just sisters, they are up-and-coming female MMA fighters AND they are the only twin sisters to ever fight in MMA!
Both twins are currently being managed by Superion Management which is headed up by Shannon Horn. I had an opportunity to talk with Shannon recently. Superion Management is one of the fastest growing, up-and-coming MMA Management companies in the country today. Shannon, and his partner Mike, have been working tirelessly to build their fighter roster and help them grow into world-class fighters.
Jillian and Jocelyn are currently training to appear on an upcoming fight card in June; and while they won’t be fighting each other, both sisters will be fighting on the same card. This will offer the world a great opportunity to get taste of what these twins can bring to the table. I look forward to seeing great things from both Jillian and Jocelyn in their upcoming fights.
I had the pleasure of interviewing both of these fighters; please see below to read up about Jillian and Jocelyn Lybarger.
Double Impact: Twin Fighters Jillian and Jocelyn Lybarger - Part Deux
Next up – Jocelyn. They might be twins, but that doesn’t mean they’re identical! And they may have different trainers and jobs, but they've got similar goals, the same favorite saying, and there’s no doubt these sisters are each other’s #1 Fan!
Projekt Label sponsors professional, as well as up and coming fighters and puts them in a position that will allow them to support themselves and pursue their dream of becoming an MMA Superstar. For more info, click the image!
Be sure to read the latest from Athletic Boxing Commission's MMA Chairman Nick Lembo, NJSACB, regarding the ABC Pro and Amateur MMA Rules Comments: Close of Comment Period. Our very own Katrina Belcher, TUFF Editor and creator of the MMA Referee Rules Handbook, was one of the panel's contributors! To read the whole letter, Click Here. While you're there, pick up your very own copy of the MMA Referee Rules Handbook!
Female Fighters in Action
Chevelle Hallback vs. Melissa Vasquez
Bas Rutten shows Felice Herrig his Infamous Liver Shot!
Liz Bader Posener vs. Kat Alendale: Main Event for UCF in Ft. Meyers, Florida
Watch Gina Carano’s interview on the Craig Ferguson Show!
Listen to Carson's Corner!
Scroll down to #11 and listen to Bob Carson interview Katrina Belcher, TUFF's very own editor!
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) as a future Olympic event!
Okay ladies - be sure to read and sign the online petition: "Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) as a future Olympic event" which is hosted on the web by PetitionOnline.com, the free online petition service, here: Olympic MMA
I personally agree with what this petition says, and I think you might agree, too. If you can spare a moment, please take a look, and consider signing yourself. Thanks!