Let’s first take a minute to talk about tournaments style fights. There are pros and cons to tournament fights. Usually with tournament fights, the fighter tends to hold back or not give 100% for their first fight. The fear or risk of injury is high, causing a hesitation or excessive caution so they can continue the tourney. Injuries sustained during the preliminary fight have halted some of the very best fighters to advance. This is logically one of the reasons UFC stopped tournament type of bouts years ago. They prefer to allow the fighter to showcase their skills in one fight. Nuff about that!
Not so with the Strikeforce Challenger women’s welterweight fights. This tournament style may very well propel and inspire the next generation of women fighters. The women’s ranks need more fighters and this is a perfect way to introduce new female fighters and get a sampling of their skills. The female fighters can get more exposure in a single night, helping them to develop a fan base. Even if the fighter has many fights under her belt, but if no one knows who they are, there will be lack of interest. Bottom line, more exposure equals more interest and more fans. Tournaments can bridge this gap with female fighters like early UFC and Pride FC.
For most fans, they are not too familiar with the female fighters in this Aug 13th Strikeforce Challengers card. We received a nice sampling of all 4 fighters and the 2 reserve fighters.
The first in the female tourney was Maiju Kujala (4-2) vs. Miesha Tate (11-2), both grapplers and with 2 three minute rounds, Tate won by decision. She had a great kick to the face and kick to the head of Kujala. The next women’s fight was Carina Damm (15-4) vs. Hitoma Akano (16-8). Akano usually fights at 145 had to come down in weight for this tourney, had impressive take downs and foot lock attempts. She was the victor over Damm by submission 1:48 second round. There was 1 womens reserve fight, with Liz Carmouch, a former US Marine and Colleen Schneider. Carmouch over powered Schneider and pulled off a win by unanimous decision.
The final women’s tournament fight of the night brought us Miesha Tate vs. Hitoma Akano. This was 3 three minute rounds and showcased some impressive grappling. Tate over powered Akano and was superior on the ground to pull off another unanimous decision win. Tate won the women’s 135lb tournament and has a future plan to fight Sarah Kaufman, the current women’s 135lb champion.
As women’s MMA grows, Strikeforce is building their arsenal with dynamic and incredible female fighters. Female fighting is always exciting, maybe because they fight with more heart!
This was a great night for the ladies and the Strikeforce inaugural Women’s Welterweight tournament.
By the way Joe “Diesel” Riggs, welcome back! Looking forward to some more good old fashioned ground & pound action! Well done!
