A big step for women's mixed marital arts saw the debut of a woman’s title in the Strikeforce promotion, while injury keeps the Heavyweight and lightweight champions on the sidelines.
Strikeforce Women’s Champion
Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos captured the Women’s title after she put away Gina Carano at the promotions Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg event on August 15th. At 4:59 of the first round the referee stepped in and saved Carano from the beating Cyborg was dishing out.
The Brazilian powerhouse hails from the fames Chute Boxe Academy and has shown pure dominance in her performances. Making her US debut with the fallen EliteXC in 2008, Cyborg as won three of her last four fight via TKO. Her win over Carano puts her professional fight record at 8-1.
Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion
Allistar Overeem became the Heavyweight champion after defeating Paul Buentello at Strikeforce: Four Man Enter, One Man Survives with a second round submission. In what was to be his first title defence against Heavyweight Brett Rodgers, Overeem had to withdraw from the fight due to a hand injury suffered outside of mma.
It was then announced that Overeem would face Fabricio Werdum in his Strikeforce debut for the Heavyweight title at Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg. However, Overeem withdrew from that as well, citing hand injury as the problem once again. Mike Pyle replaced Overeem and fought Werdum in a nontitle bout.
Strikeforce Light heavyweight Champion
Gegard Mousasi didn’t have to break a sweat in order to win the Light Heavyweight title. In a minute of the first round, the Armenian Light Heavyweight made quick work of former champion Renato “Babalu” Sobral and took is win streak to 13 in a row. Making his USA and Strikeforce debut, the Red Devil fighter showed his authority in the octagon.
Mousasi next bout is to take place against Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou, at Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers in a non-title bout.
Strikeforce Middleweight Champion
Jake Shields captured the vacant Middleweight Strikeforce title at Strikeforce: Fedor vs Roger, after going 5 rounds with the colorful Jason "Mayhem Miller via judges decicion. It was In september 2009 that former Middleweight champion Cung Le relinqueshed his middleweight title to persue his acting career.
Strikeforce Welterweight Champion
The Welterweight division does not have a champion at this time.
Strikeforce Lightweight/Interim Champion
Gilbert Melendez finished Mitsuhiro Ishida in the third round to retain the interim lightweight belt, at Strikeforce: Carano vs.Cyborg. Ishida replaced Josh Thompson who once again, had to withdraw from the bout due to a previous injury.
Melendez first won the lightweight title at Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Gracie, with a split decision win over Clay Guida. It was at Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Thompson, he lost it to Josh Thompson via unanimous judge’s decision.
In what would have been the rematch between the two lightweights at Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Diaz, Thompson had to pull out due to an injury while training. Rodrigo Damn stepped in to replace the injured Thompson and fought Melendez for the interim lightweight title, with Melendez wining the bout via KO in of the second round.
