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NCRadioMan · 01-20-2010, 02:28 PM

Strikeforce Women’s Tourneys Launch in April

The ladies have not been forgotten.

Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker said two previously announced eight-woman tournaments, at 135- and 145-pounds, will kick off at the promotion’s Challengers event in April.

Strikeforce 145-pound champion Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos and Gina Carano, whom Santos defeated by first-round technical knockout last August in San Jose, Calif., will not compete in the tournaments, said Coker.

“We’re looking for the next women to fight the Gina Caranos and the Cris Cyborgs of the world,” Coker said.

Coker said the tournaments’ quarterfinals and semifinals would be “sprinkled” over a few events.

Sarah Kaufman, an undefeated Canadian striker who’s shined in her two Challengers appearances against Miesha Tate and Shayna Baszler, will not compete in the 135-pound tournament bracket.

“I think we’re going to be promoting Sarah against (Takayo) Hashi for our (vacant) 135-pound title,” said Coker. “I think that fight’s happening sooner than later -- February or March, for sure.”

Hashi, a Smackgirl veteran, has been victorious in her last eight outings. Her only career loss came to Strikeforce veteran Hitomi Akano at a Smackgirl event in August 2005.

Coker said the tournament winners would likely face the promotion’s champions in their next bouts.

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Lesnar is good to go, next fight this summer.

His next fight will either be against Mir/Carwin winner, or if they're unavailable, Nog/Cain winner.

UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar (4-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) says through a "miracle" of medicine, he will avoid surgery and return to the octagon this summer.

Lesnar, along with UFC president Dana White made the announcement on this morning's addition of ESPN's "SportsCenter."

The appearance was the heavyweight champion's first interview since being forced out of action with a series of ailments.

The ailment, which Lesnar confirmed was initially diagnosed as mononucleosis and then diverticulitis (or as Lesnar clarified in layman's terms, "a hole in my stomach"), has kept the champion out of action since July 2009 and forced the massive wrestler out of a scheduled November UFC 106 headliner with Shane Carwin.

Lesnar said he lost nearly 40 pounds after missing nearly three weeks of training camp and during an 11-day hospitalization and was told by multiple doctors that surgery was unavoidable. The champion said he continued to hold out hope that he could avoid an invasive procedure – which he says would have been career-ending – and through what he classified as "a miracle," a follow-up appointment on Jan. 5 showed his body had begun to heal itself.

"The doctors were dumbfounded", Lesnar said. "They couldn't find any problem in my stomach. It's just a miracle to me."

"I actually had to go to the doctor yesterday before I came out here and get another CT scan on my stomach because I just still can't believe it."

While an exact date for Lesnar's return was not announced, White said he hope to have his champion back in the octagon "this summer."

As Lesnar recovers, the UFC has booked an interim title fight at UFC 111 between former champion Frank Mir and top challenger Carwin, who was slated to face the champion before his illness struck. White said the winner of that contest would be in line for the first crack at Lesnar.

Should the winner of that fight prove unable to compete, White said the UFC 110 bout between fellow contenders Cain Velasquez and Antonio Rodrigo Noguiera would serve as a backup plan.

Lesnar said the traumatic, roller-coaster ride of the past six months has forced him to take a different view on life.

"I believe the mind is a powerful thing," Lesnar said. "I was put in a position, and I had to view my life and the world in a different (manner). I had a different take on life. When you have everything taken away from you, and you're laying helplessly in your hospital bed, not sure if I'm going to even get back in the octagon, something that I've grown to just love to do – this is my life."

Despite the changes, Lesnar wanted to clarify that one thing has remained the same.

"Lets be clear with that: I still am the UFC heavyweight champion." Lesnar said.

Here is a link to Lesnar on SportsCenter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gv_3...layer_embedded

01-20-2010, 02:28 PM	#1169
NCRadioMan Chutney Lovebusciut Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Chutney Location: On the shores of Loch Shiel Posts: 4,280 Trading: (66)	Re: Official MMA Thread Strikeforce Women’s Tourneys Launch in April The ladies have not been forgotten. Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker said two previously announced eight-woman tournaments, at 135- and 145-pounds, will kick off at the promotion’s Challengers event in April. Strikeforce 145-pound champion Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos and Gina Carano, whom Santos defeated by first-round technical knockout last August in San Jose, Calif., will not compete in the tournaments, said Coker. “We’re looking for the next women to fight the Gina Caranos and the Cris Cyborgs of the world,” Coker said. Coker said the tournaments’ quarterfinals and semifinals would be “sprinkled” over a few events. Sarah Kaufman, an undefeated Canadian striker who’s shined in her two Challengers appearances against Miesha Tate and Shayna Baszler, will not compete in the 135-pound tournament bracket. “I think we’re going to be promoting Sarah against (Takayo) Hashi for our (vacant) 135-pound title,” said Coker. “I think that fight’s happening sooner than later -- February or March, for sure.” Hashi, a Smackgirl veteran, has been victorious in her last eight outings. Her only career loss came to Strikeforce veteran Hitomi Akano at a Smackgirl event in August 2005. Coker said the tournament winners would likely face the promotion’s champions in their next bouts. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lesnar is good to go, next fight this summer. His next fight will either be against Mir/Carwin winner, or if they're unavailable, Nog/Cain winner. UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar (4-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) says through a "miracle" of medicine, he will avoid surgery and return to the octagon this summer. Lesnar, along with UFC president Dana White made the announcement on this morning's addition of ESPN's "SportsCenter." The appearance was the heavyweight champion's first interview since being forced out of action with a series of ailments. The ailment, which Lesnar confirmed was initially diagnosed as mononucleosis and then diverticulitis (or as Lesnar clarified in layman's terms, "a hole in my stomach"), has kept the champion out of action since July 2009 and forced the massive wrestler out of a scheduled November UFC 106 headliner with Shane Carwin. Lesnar said he lost nearly 40 pounds after missing nearly three weeks of training camp and during an 11-day hospitalization and was told by multiple doctors that surgery was unavoidable. The champion said he continued to hold out hope that he could avoid an invasive procedure – which he says would have been career-ending – and through what he classified as "a miracle," a follow-up appointment on Jan. 5 showed his body had begun to heal itself. "The doctors were dumbfounded", Lesnar said. "They couldn't find any problem in my stomach. It's just a miracle to me." "I actually had to go to the doctor yesterday before I came out here and get another CT scan on my stomach because I just still can't believe it." While an exact date for Lesnar's return was not announced, White said he hope to have his champion back in the octagon "this summer." As Lesnar recovers, the UFC has booked an interim title fight at UFC 111 between former champion Frank Mir and top challenger Carwin, who was slated to face the champion before his illness struck. White said the winner of that contest would be in line for the first crack at Lesnar. Should the winner of that fight prove unable to compete, White said the UFC 110 bout between fellow contenders Cain Velasquez and Antonio Rodrigo Noguiera would serve as a backup plan. Lesnar said the traumatic, roller-coaster ride of the past six months has forced him to take a different view on life. "I believe the mind is a powerful thing," Lesnar said. "I was put in a position, and I had to view my life and the world in a different (manner). I had a different take on life. When you have everything taken away from you, and you're laying helplessly in your hospital bed, not sure if I'm going to even get back in the octagon, something that I've grown to just love to do – this is my life." Despite the changes, Lesnar wanted to clarify that one thing has remained the same. "Lets be clear with that: I still am the UFC heavyweight champion." Lesnar said. Here is a link to Lesnar on SportsCenter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gv_3...layer_embedded __________________ The path to loyalty is trust. Last edited by NCRadioMan; 01-20-2010 at 02:42 PM.