August 15, 2009 will arguably mark the biggest event in history for MMA organization Strikeforce. The card is stacked but the fight everyone is talking about is the match featuring Gina “Conviction” Carano vs. Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos. These two gladiators are sure to steal the show in San Jose and further cement Strikeforce as a contender in the world of MMA.
Tale of the Tape:
The face of women’s mixed martial arts, Gina Carano will put an undefeated 7-0 record on the line in what will undoubtedly be her toughest challenge yet. Carano made her MMA debut after finishing out a successful muay tai career with a record of 12-1-1. The Texas native got her start in the Las Vegas-based World Pro FC and World Extreme Fighting organizations where she gained impressive knockout victories over Leticia Pestova and Rosi Sexton. In no time, she moved up to Strikeforce and then onto Elite XC, where she convincingly won all four bouts she competed in.
Now being trained by UFC legend Randy Couture at his Xtreme Couture gym, Carano is looking to improve the only real vulnerability in her approach: conditioning. Due to struggles to make weight for her last fight, Carno was forced to deal with adversity and criticism after being taken down early in the first round. Despite a rough start, she got back on her feet and then proceeded to deliver a beat down. In the end, Carano scored a unanimous decision, marking the third decision victory in her three-year MMA career. Live MMA Betting Odds
Cristiane Santos will pose as a serious threat to Carano’s undefeated streak. The Cyborg has won her last seven fights, which included a TKO victory over Hitomi Akano at the Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Diaz card. Santos made her professional MMA debut in 2005, a fight that saw her submitting to Erica Paes in the first round. Since that one and only loss, the Cyborg hasn’t looked back, racking up seven straight victories in dominating form. The Team Chute Box fighter made her American debut last summer in Elite XC, punching her way to a second round TKO against Shayna Baszler in July. That was followed up three months later in a unanimous decision victory over Yoko Takahashi at the Elite XC: Heat event. While Santos missed weight by 51/2 pounds for her last fight in April, she used that to her advantage with additional strength to overpower the highly touted Akano en route to a third round TKO win. Bet on Carano vs. Cyborg
Gina Carano vs. Cyborg Fight Prediction:
These ladies are standing high atop the women’s MMA division and pound for pound, they could be two of the best fighters in the world. One on one training with Randy Couture over the last few months should help Carano improve her game tremendously, perhaps enough to show a little more stamina and keep up with Santos’ well conditioned frame. Cyborg definitely will not be able to push over Carano like she has done her other opponents. More than likely, she will be less aggressive until the time is right and score a knockout or submission victory. Bet on Carano vs. Cyborg
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