Strikeforce – Carano vs. Cyborg Main Card
Babalu, Melendez Titles on the Line, Main Event for Women's Title
Aug 13, 2009
With the current acquisition of famed Russian powerhouse Fedor Emelianenko, Strikeforce is looking to grab a piece of the pie in the world of mixed martial arts.
In a first for mainstream mma, the main event for the August 15th card will see the face of women’s mma take on the aggressive Brazilian Christine “Cyborg” Santos who has also made a name for herself with her aggressive fight style.
As well with the introduction of the women’s title, we see the Light Heavyweight and Interim lightweight titles on the line. Carano vs. Cyborg Results
Gina Carano vs. Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos
Women’s Championship
Known as the face of woman’s mixed martial arts, with a perfect 7-0 professional record, Carano first took part in the Strikeforce: Triple Threat event were she faced Elaina Maxwell and walked away with the decision victory. Her next four fights were fought under the now deceased EliteXC banner. Returning to the Strikeforce promotion, Carano will face her toughest opponent to date for the Woman’s Championship.
Making her second appearance in the promotion, ChuteBoxe Academy's Christine “Cyborg” Santos has shown the typical ChuteBoxe style, fast and aggressive. An overall record of 7-1, Santos has shown pure dominance in her bouts. Santos last fought in the octagon against Hitomi Akano where she finished off the Japanese fighter via TKO in the third round.
Renato “Babalu” Sobral vs. Gegard Mousasi Light Heavyweight Championship
In a bout that was originally set to take place at the Affliction promotion, before it was cancelled; is now taking place for the Strikeforce Light Heavyweight title which Babalu currently holds. Babalu won the light heavyweight title after defeating Bobby Southworth at Strikeforce: Destruction. Fighting between both the now defunct Affliction and Strikeforce promotions this will be Babalu’s first title defence.
Fellow light heavyweight and Dream Middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi will be making his USA debut when he challenges Babalu for his title. Having not lost a match since 2006, here he was submitted by Akihiro Gono in the PrideFC Bushido 12. Mousasi steps into the octagon on a 12 fight win streak, after defeating Mark Hunt via submission in the Dream Super Hulk Grand-Prix opening round.
Gilbert Melendez vs. Mitsuhiro Ishida
Interim lightweight Championship
Melendez won the Strikeforce lightweight title after defeating Clay Guida at Strikeforce: Revenge. It was in his second title defence where he lost his belt to Josh Thompson via unanimous decision. Granted a rematch with Thompson at Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Diaz, Melendez won the Interim welterweight title after a second round KO of Rodrigo Damm, who replaced Thompson after he suffered injury and had to withdraw from the fight.
In his second appearance Mitsuhiro Ishida faces Melendez in hopes of gaining the Interim lightweight title. In his debut match Ishida emerged victorious with an Armbar submission in the first round of Justin Wilcox.
Jesse Taylor vs. Jay Hieron
The welterweight championship bout slated for the card has since been turned into a regular three five minute bout. Jesse Taylor has stepped up to replace Nick Diaz who failed to show for the pre-fight drug test and was denied a licence to fight. Taylor controversial former Ultimate Fighter and UFC Welterweight makes his Strikeforce debut, coming in off a victory over Dong Sik Yoon at Dream 10.
Former Independent Fight League (IFL) Middleweight champion Jay Hieron, will have to wait a while longer for his chance at becoming the Welterweight champion. The Xtreme Couture fighter last faced Jason High at Afflictions: Day of Reckoning and took the win via KO. He steps back into the octagon against Taylor in hopes of makig his mark in the Welterweight division.
